[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 101 (Friday, July 16, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1578-E1579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE AMERICAN MILITARY HEALTH PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. WALTER B. JONES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 16, 1999

  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address an 
issue of vital importance to our men and women in uniform.
  Since the end of the Cold War, the Army and Air Force have been 
reduced by 45 percent, the Navy by 36 percent, and the Marine Corps by 
12 percent.
  At the same time, our military operations commitments around the 
world have increased by 300 percent.
  The Army alone has participated in 33 separate deployments since 
1992, and has troops in over 70 nations.
  Our military readiness is stretched thin, our reserves of critical 
missiles and spare parts have eroded, and our military's quality of 
life is diminishing.
  Retention rates are reaching historic lows and aircraft accidents are 
climbing.
  For too long we have been asking our military to do more with less.
  In recent years, this Congress has taken many steps to reverse these 
trends and provide adequate training and equipment for our Armed Forces 
personnel. We must continue to do more.
  Despite these difficulties, our men and women remain the premier 
military in the world.
  Their devotion and commitment to serve is without question.
  Time and again, they risk their lives in the defense of our nation 
and our interests around the world.
  Without their selfless dedication, our nation would not be the great 
place it remains today.
  As such, we in Congress and as a nation, have a responsibility to 
those military personnel and their families.
  We owe them the strongest commitment to their safety and well being 
we can provide.
  However, I am concerned our government may be violating that very 
principle.
  Two years ago the Secretary of Defense announced plans to implement a 
mandatory anthrax vaccination program for the 2.4 million members of 
the Armed Forces.
  Since that time, I heard from a rapidly growing number of military 
personnel and family members who believe this vaccine may jeopardize 
their long-term health and safety as well as that of their families.
  The lack of a single, conclusive independent study regarding the 
long-term health effects of the anthrax vaccine on humans have created 
additional concerns among our nation's uniformed personnel.
  Despite Department of Defense assurances of minimal adverse reactions 
to the anthrax vaccinations, the standards that the Department uses to 
determine adverse reactions are insufficient to support their claims.
  According to a June 29 article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, 
Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera acknowledged in a September 1998 
memo that the vaccine ``involves unusually hazardous risks associated 
with the potential for adverse reactions in some recipients and the 
possibility that the desired immunological effect will not be obtained 
by all recipients.''
  The article went on to report that the Secretary concluded, there is 
no certainty that the anthrax used in tests to measure the vaccine's 
effectiveness ``will be sufficiently similar to the pathogen that U.S. 
forces might encounter'' during warfare.
  If the Secretary of one of the services raises these concerns, how 
can we as a nation expect the most junior soldier, sailor, airman, or 
Marine to accept the vaccine without question?
  As a result of the lack of conclusive data on the long-term effects 
of the anthrax vaccine, many of these military personnel are being 
forced to make decisions between the safety and security of their 
families that their dedication and commitment to serving our nation.
  In a time when all branches of our military are faced with severe 
challenges in recruiting and retaining quality military personnel, we 
should be looking for ways to recruit and retain these men and women.
  Instead, over 200 personnel have chosen to resign from the armed 
services rather than accept the risks associated with a questionable 
vaccination program.
  In one Connecticut Air National Guard Unit alone, eight pilots 
resigned their commissions because of the mandatory anthrax 
vaccination. There are growing reports of large numbers of other Guard 
units whose ranks are shrinking for the same reason.
  In my own state of North Carolina, I have heard from numerous active 
duty and reserve Air Force pilots who have tendered their resignation 
after many years of service.
  However, I am particularly troubled by the recent court-martial of 
five Marines for their refusal to accept the anthrax vaccination.
  As the representative of one of the largest Marine Corps bases in the 
country, Camp Lejuene, I have learned how much they value their creed: 
``Corps, God, and then Country.''
  For the Marines, it is not just a saying; it is a way of life.
  Yet, because of the great uncertainty surrounding the anthrax 
vaccine, a growing number of Marines are also choosing to leave their 
beloved Corps, their livelihood, to ensure their long-term health and 
that of their families.
  All of these matters have led me to a single conclusion. Until the 
questions surrounding the anthrax vaccine are answered, I cannot in 
good conscience support the current mandatory Department of Defense 
vaccination program.
  I feel as though I would be failing in my responsibility if I did not 
take action to protect the troops who willingly sacrifice their own 
lives in defense of this nation and its citizens.
  As a result, today I am introducing the American Military Health 
Protection Act.
  The legislation is simple.
  It would make the current Department of Defense Anthrax Vaccination 
Immunization Program voluntary for all members of the Uniformed 
Services until either:
  1. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new anthrax 
vaccination for humans; or
  2. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new, reduced shot 
course for the anthrax vaccination for humans.
  It does not eliminate the program or remove the ability of the 
Department of Defense to provide anthrax vaccinations. It simply 
ensures before a member of our military is required to take the 
vaccine, their questions about its safety and long-term effects are 
answered.

[[Page E1579]]

  It is the least that Congress and the Department of Defense can do.
  I hope my colleagues here will see that and join me in protecting the 
great men and women of the United States Military.

                          ____________________