[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 50 (Monday, May 2, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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

 
               PERSIAN GULF VETERANS NEED ADDITIONAL HELP

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                      HON. G.V. (SONNY) MONTGOMERY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 2, 1994

  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, following a 3-day workshop last week 
convened by the National Institutes of Health, it was concluded that 
additional broad-based research is needed to determine what is making 
some of our Persian Gulf veterans sick. This conference included 
medical and scientific professionals from VA, Defense, and Health and 
Human Services.
  Mr. Speaker, everyone is in agreement. These illnesses are genuine. 
These veterans are sick. And there is a concerted effort to diagnose 
what has made them sick. We have given them priority access to VA 
health care and are conducting a great deal of research. But we can do 
more.
  Based on the nine hearings our committee has held and the results of 
the NIH workshop, I am convinced that some Persian Gulf veterans are 
suffering from mysterious ailments. Therefore, I am developing 
legislation that would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
pay special compensation to these veterans who are disabled as a result 
of these serious conditions.

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