[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 7 (Wednesday, February 2, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          ILLNESSES OF GULF WAR VETERANS GIVEN NEEDED PRIORITY

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 1994

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I participated in a 
hearing which in my view will assist Persian Gulf veterans who have 
contracted mysterious illnesses due to possible exposure with chemical 
agents. The committee questioned Veterans Affairs Secretary Jesse Brown 
and DOD Assistant Secretary Edward Dorn on their respective 
Departments' commitment to finding causes and treatment for those who 
put their lives on the line for their country just 4 years ago.
  Mr. Speaker, since the end of Persian Gulf war in 1990, a multitude 
of veterans have experienced a number of maladies ranging from fatigue 
to memory loss to dizziness. These illnesses have raised the 
possibility that many Persian Gulf veterans may have been exposed to 
chemical agents during their time in the Middle East.
  Two of my constituents, Sgt. Dan Braun and Spec. Mark Panzara, were 
among the first Persian Gulf veterans to be afflicted with these 
mysterious illnesses. The two, who served with the 144th Supply Company 
of the New Jersey National Guard, worked with damaged tanks, some of 
which were radioactive. Upon their return home, they both began 
experiencing unexplained illnesses, such as persistent headaches and 
skin bruises. Clearly, the Federal Government had to act to ensure that 
these veterans would not go untreated.
  Through the work of those of us on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, 
legislation creating a Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Registry, was 
passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush in November 
1992. This program allows veterans, like Sergeant Braun and Specialist 
Panzara, who believe that they may have been exposed to environmental 
hazards during their service in the Persian Gulf to come to a VA 
hospital for a free examination. As an original cosponsor of this 
legislation, I am glad that Persian Gulf veterans were given this 
needed priority.
  Mr. Speaker, I was also honored to work in crafting legislation 
signed into law late last year that gives the Veterans Affairs 
Department the statutory authority to treat the illnesses of Gulf war 
veterans as service-connected conditions.
  It is vital that we do all we can to assist these veterans, who so 
ably served our country with honor and distinction and have been the 
victims of mysterious diseases upon their return. Both the VA and the 
Department of Defense have a very important role to play in this 
responsibility.
  Yesterday's hearing, our committee's eighth on the subject, was yet 
another step in ensuring that Persian Gulf veterans will receive the 
best care possible for any illness that may occur as a result of that 
war.

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