[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 21 (Thursday, February 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    DATABASE FOR TRACKING VETS' ILLNESSES RELATED TO VIETNAM SERVICE

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                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 2, 1995
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation 
which will establish a database within the Department of Veterans' 
Affairs to track patterns of illness experienced by our Nation's 
veterans.
  In the 1950's, submariners in southeastern Connecticut were treated 
with radium exposure to the base of the brain. It's only recently that 
the Federal Government is beginning to recognize that veterans may have 
significant health problems as a result.
  In the 1960's, we sent our troops into Vietnam. It wasn't until years 
later that troops suffering debilitating diseases as a result of 
exposure to Agent Orange received help.
  In 1990, we sent our troops into the Middle East. It wasn't until the 
end of the 103d Congress that the mystery illnesses plaguing Gulf War 
vets were recognized as service-connected disabilities.
  The Federal Government is beginning to respond quicker, but our 
veterans deserve better.
  Our troops have just returned from Somalia, and will soon return from 
Haiti. We do not know if they are sick as a result of their service, 
but we shouldn't wait for years before we try to find out.
  My bill would pro-actively look for health problems in service 
personnel and veterans beginning with those troops who returned from 
Somalia and continuing with all combat troops in the future.
  It will establish a database in the VA to track disability claims, 
health screenings and individual phone calls looking for patterns of 
illness. The database will also include the spouses and dependents of 
veterans who may be ill due to the veteran's exposure. Finally, the 
database will be completely confidential and information will only be 
included with the individual's consent.
  When we ask our troops to put their lives on the line in defense of 
our country, they do not say ``we are too busy right now, maybe in a 
few years.'' They respond immediately. When they get sick as a result 
of their service, the U.S. Government has an obligation to respond 
immediately--not in a few years.
  I hope other Members will consider co-sponsoring this important 
legislation.


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