[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 64 (Thursday, April 6, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S5520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      NATIONAL ATOMIC VETERANS DAY

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution 108, a 
resolution submitted by Senator Wellstone and others earlier today 
designating July 16, 1995 as ``National Atomic Veterans Day''; that the 
resolution and preamble be agreed to; that the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table; and that any statements on this measure appear in 
the Record at the appropriate place.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  So the resolution (S. Res. 108) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

       Whereas July 16, 1995, is the 50th anniversary of the first 
     detonation of an atomic bomb at Alamagordo, New Mexico;
       Whereas the members of the Armed Forces who have been 
     exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of the detonation 
     of a nuclear weapon or device are considered to be America's 
     ``atomic veterans'';
       Whereas atomic veterans are in many ways one of the most 
     neglected groups of United States veterans;
       Whereas atomic veterans served their country patriotically 
     and proudly, believing fully that the United States 
     Government would protect them from any serious hazards to 
     their health;
       Whereas atomic veterans were not told of the hazards they 
     faced from exposure to ionizing radiation, often were 
     provided with little protection from such exposure even when 
     deployed at or near ground zero immediately after test 
     detonations of nuclear weapons, on occasion were not provided 
     film badges to measure their exposure to radiation during 
     such detonations, and were provided with no follow-up medical 
     care or other monitoring to determine the health consequences 
     of such exposure;
       Whereas for 40 years after World War II Federal law 
     contained no provisions specifically providing veterans 
     compensation or health care for atomic veterans for service-
     connected radiogenic diseases; and
       Whereas many of the 250,000 members of the Armed Forces who 
     participated in post-World War II atmospheric nuclear testing 
     were forbidden from publicly revealing such participation for 
     reasons of national security and received no recognition for 
     their important contributions to the United States and the 
     Armed Forces: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) July 16, 1995, is designated as ``National Atomic 
     Veterans Day''; and
       (2) the President is authorized and requested to issue a 
     proclamation calling on the departments and agencies of the 
     Federal Government, State and local governments, and the 
     people of the United States to observe that day with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  Mr. WELLSTONE. I was pleased to submit today, along with my 
colleagues, Senators Simon, Jeffords, Daschle, Pryor, Rockefeller, 
Akaka, Reid, and Leahy, a Senate resolution to designate July 16, 1995, 
the 50th anniversary of the first detonation of an atomic bomb at 
Alamagordo, NM, as ``National Atomic Veterans Day.''
  Atomic veterans, members of the armed forces who were exposed to 
ionizing radiation as a result of the detonation of a nuclear weapon or 
device, for 50 years have been one of the most neglected groups of 
veterans. While they served their country patriotically, 
unquestioningly, and proudly, they were not informed of the dangers 
they faced from exposure to ionizing radiation, often were provided 
with little or no protection from such exposure, and for many years 
were provided with no follow-up medical monitoring or care to determine 
the health effects of their exposure. In fact, for 40 years after World 
War II, there were no provisions in Federal law specifically providing 
veterans compensation or health care for atomic veterans for service-
connected radiogenic diseases.
  Many atomic veterans who participated in atmospheric nuclear testing 
were forbidden from publicly revealing their participation for reasons 
of national security. Despite their valuable contributions to the 
United States and the Armed Forces, they have not received the 
recognition that is due them.
  The National Association of Atomic Veterans, AMVETS, and the Vietnam 
Veterans of America have expressed their strong and unequivocal support 
for this resolution.
  I urge my colleagues to show their support by cosponsoring National 
Atomic Veterans Day.


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