[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 44 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               CHEMICAL AGENT TESTING DURING WORLD WAR II

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                          HON. JAMES V. HANSEN

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 20, 1994

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, in recent months, it has come to light that 
the U.S. Government, during the 1940's, was involved in conducting 
tests of chemical agents against U.S. military personnel. Often, this 
testing was done in relative secrecy, without the full knowledge or 
consent of those servicemen exposed, and without a clear understanding 
of the long-term health effects involved.
  One of those servicemen is a constituent of mine, Charles McGraw, who 
lives in Ogden, UT. Mr. McGraw wrote me a letter to describe what his 
experience was and the tremendous ill-health effects which he is 
suffering from today as a result.
  I believe that the U.S. Government, and the Congress, should learn 
the lessons that must be learned from the past. We simply cannot treat 
our military personnel--or any human being, in this manner ever again. 
I hope that we can all learn from Mr. McGraw's words:
  The letter follows:

     To Whom it May Concern:
       I am a Retired Army Master Segeant. I was born September 
     20, 1915. I enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1934 and retired in 
     1955.
       During my service, I was assigned to the Chemical Warfare 
     Branch of the Army.
       In 1942, I attended the first Chemical Warfare School at 
     Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland.
       While there, I was involved in the testing of Mustard Gas 
     and other Blister Gasses. I participated in many experimental 
     mustard gas tests. These tests were Chamber Tests, Field 
     Tests, and skin sensitivity tests.
       During Field Tests, the ground was sprayed with Mustard 
     Gas, equipment was sprayed, and we were required to clean-up 
     the area and equipment. We wore protective clothing. The 
     clothing was part of the test to determine whether or not it 
     was reliable!
       The skin sensitivity test left scars on my arm that I have 
     to this day.
       During this test, drops of Mustard Gas were placed on the 
     arm. The blisters formed, and the size was measured daily.
       During the last eight years, I have had lung problems. The 
     last year, it has become severe. I have had blisters on my 
     right cornea, and now I have no sight in that eye.
       I am being treated at Hill Air Force Base Hospital and the 
     University of Utah hospital. Medical Reports from both 
     hospitals offer no conclusion to the cause.
           Sincerely,
     M/Sgt. Charles R. McGraw, USA (ret.).

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