[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 20 (Tuesday, March 1, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          CARING FOR WOUNDED VETERANS OF THE PERSIAN GULF WAR

                                 ______


                          HON. PHILIP M. CRANE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 1994

  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, as one who believes in strict federalism and 
the importance of states rights, I often argue against the creation of 
new Federal programs and the expenditure of Federal dollars. However, I 
feel just as strongly that when the Federal Government takes an action, 
it must accept responsibility for the direct and indirect consequences 
of that action. Government cannot run from its mistakes. Government 
cannot hide from its failures.
  Today, I believe the U.S. Government is shirking its responsibility 
to veterans of the gulf war who have clearly been exposed to chemical 
or biological weapons and who now are being denied the medical care 
that they and even their families so desperately need. But the fact of 
the matter is that the United States liability is due not only to an 
official U.S. policy which exposed American men and women to danger and 
to these weapons, but in fact that American companies may have produced 
and sold to Iraq the very chemical and biological weapons which were 
later used against American soldiers. A sale approved by our 
Government.
  On Wednesday, February 9, the senior Senator from Michigan, Senator 
Riegle, spoke on the floor of the Senate about his office's findings on 
this issue. I strongly recommend his statement to any Member of this 
Congress who doubts the reports of veterans afflicted by the gulf war 
syndrome. Senator Riegle presents a detailed and exacting examination 
of the evidence, and I hope to add the weight of my personal conviction 
and experience to his powerful argument.
  My most direct exposure to the tragedies caused by the gulf war 
syndrome come from Troy Albuck, a constituent of mine from Barrington, 
IL. Enlisting in the Army at the age of 17, within 2 years Troy had 
risen to the rank of lieutenant. As an airborne Ranger infantry 
officer, he served in Panama and later in Iraq. He and his wife, Kelli, 
already had one child of good health when he returned from the gulf and 
began to experience a series of health problems, problems which soon 
afflicted Kelli as well. After two miscarriages, the Albucks were 
blessed with a second child, a son they named Alex. When Alex was born 
nearly 2 months premature, they were told he might live only a few days 
or even hours. On more than one occasion in the months following, 
doctors called the Albucks to the hospital, believing Alex had only a 
few hours to live. Miraculously, despite respiratory problems, vision 
and hearing impairments, and a host of other ailments, Alex recently 
celebrated his first birthday. The health problems faced by Troy, then 
Kelli, and finally Alex are remarkably similar to those outlined by 
Senator Riegle.
  For example, one of the biological agents which was sold to Iraq in 
1985 is histoplasma capsulatum. It causes inflammation of the skin, 
usually in the form of red nodules on shins. In Troy's case, the 
unusual red bumps started on his shins, but soon covered most of his 
body. These marks were so pronounced that he could no longer function 
in the sales position he held after leaving the Army. This particular 
agent also causes reactivated infections, meaning the symptoms come and 
go. Some of these secondary symptoms include inflection of the spinal 
membranes and lungs. The misdevelopment of Alex Albuck's lungs is so 
acute that this infant is often unable to breathe on his own, and must 
use an oxygen tank and mask. In Troy's words, the list of symptoms from 
Senator Riegle's statement ``read right out of our medical records.''
  Many of my colleagues here may have their doubts about this issue. 
There are still many questions which need to be answered, and I have 
nurtured those doubts myself. But despite my initial skepticism, I am 
now a true believer. The need for action is clear. Too many lives have 
already been lost or ruined by this mysterious disease. I refuse to 
believe that the Members of this body will simply stand by and watch as 
thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands of gulf war veterans and 
their families are condemned to a slow death by the inaction of the 
U.S. Government and the U.S. Congress. I ask that my colleagues not 
take my word for it, that they not blindly accept Senator Riegle's 
analysis, but that they simply and fully investigate the matter. I have 
no doubt that they will draw the same conclusion I have.
  On its own, the Albuck's story is a compelling call for action, but 
when Troy's personal experiences are compared with Senator Riegle's 
clincial examination, there is only one conclusion to be drawn. The 
United States must accept the possibility that the brave men and women 
who volunteered to serve their country received an invisible wound 
during that service, and unlike conventual contusions or abrasions, 
this wound is at least somewhat contagious--it can harm not only the 
individual, but a family as well.
  Troy is fond of pointing out that he volunteered for service, knowing 
and accepting the risks associated with a career in the military, but 
that neither his wife nor his son had the opportunity to choose. 
Despite their noninvolvement in the conflict, they have nonetheless 
becomes victims of the battle. Because they are bystanders, Kelli and 
Alex deserve medical treatment and the support of the U.S. Government. 
Troy and every other veteran deserve that same treatment and support 
because they did not stand idly by. If the administration will not 
accept responsibility for that treatment, then Congress must step up 
and resolve this blight. We must address this issue head-on. We must 
treat our wounded veterans.

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