[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 91 (Friday, July 14, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6982-S6983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 336 submitted earlier
today by Senator Snowe.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 336) expressing the sense of the
Senate regarding the contributions, sacrifices, and
distinguished service of Americans exposed to radiation or
radioactive material as a result of service in the Armed
Forces.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, this resolution is introduced to honor
veterans exposed to radiation while serving in the U.S. military.
As many of my colleagues are no doubt aware, many veterans, veterans
organizations, and scientists believe that exposure to environmental
toxins or unknown diseases during military service has left thousands
of veterans vulnerable to an array of disabilities and medical
conditions. Over the years, Congress has responded to the concerns of
veterans with claims resulting from service in nuclear testing areas,
as well as Vietnam veterans suffering from exposure to Agent Orange,
and Persian
[[Page S6983]]
Gulf veterans suffering with the Persian Gulf War Illness. Authority
for the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide health care for
diseases possibly linked to radiation has been made permanent.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is authorized by Congress to
provide special priority for enrollment for health services to any
veteran exposed to ionizing radiation while participating in the
nuclear weapons testing program, or if he or she served with the U.S.
occupation forces in Hiroshima or Nagasaki. These veterans are eligible
to participate in the VA ionizing radiation registry examination
program, under which the VA will perform a complete physical
examination, including all necessary tests, for each veteran who
requests it. The VA also pays compensation to veterans and their
survivors if the veteran is determined to have a disability due to
radiation exposure while in service.
Unfortunately, Mr. President, with some disorders, evidence of a
service-connection is simply not conclusive. That is why Congress has
in some cases permitted a ``presumption'' of a service-connection, so
that veterans can be provided much-needed care, and given appropriate
compensation, while science endeavors to verify whether a correlation
can be established between military service and the subsequent
development of a given medical disorder.
Authority for the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide medical
treatment for diseases possibly linked to radiation has been made
permanent by Congress. In 1987, Congress found that due to the fact
that the evidence of exposure-level risk could not be conclusively
verified, our national veterans benefits policy should depend on
correlation of various diseases with radiation exposure. Public Law
100-321 included language establishing a presumption that 13 diseases
would be presumed to be service-connected if they developed in veterans
whose service histories included active duty in a ``radiation-risk
activity.'' Since 1987, the list established under Public Law 100-321
has been expanded to include additional diseases, totalling
approximately 16.
Mr. President, the resolution I am introducing today would recognize
the contributions, sacrifices, and distinguished service of Americans
exposed to radiation or radioactive materials in the line of military
duty and authorize a day of remembrance for these men and women.
From 1945 to 1963, the U.S. exploded approximately 235 nuclear
devices, potentially exposing an estimated 220,000 military personnel
to unknown levels of radiation. In addition, roughly 195,000
servicemembers have been identified as participants in the post-WWII
occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Many of these veterans
claimed that low levels of radiation released during the testing, or
exposure to radiation in service in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, may be a
cause of certain medical conditions that have developed since that
service.
Under my resolution, Sunday July 16, 2000, the 55th anniversary of
the first atomic explosion--the Trinity Shot in New Mexico--is
designated as a ``National Day of Remembrance'' honoring veterans
exposed to radiation in the line of military duty, and the President is
urged to issue a proclamation observing the day and paying tribute to
these Americans who have had to fight so hard to get the recognition
and benefits they deserve. The measure also expresses the sense of the
Senate that the Department of Veterans Affairs should take steps to
ensure that veterans exposed to radiation in service to their country
are awarded the benefits and services they deserve.
Mr. President, the nation has a solemn responsibility to veterans who
are injured, or who incur a disease, while serving in the military,
including the provision of health care, cash payments, and other
benefits that may be awarded to veterans who experience disabilities
resulting from military service. This precedent is well-established and
should not be undercut or weakened.
I hope that my colleagues will join me in a strong show of support
for this resolution and the men and women exposed to radiation in the
line of duty.
Thank you, Mr. President, and I yield the floor.
Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to
the resolution be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 336) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 336
Whereas the Nation has a responsibility to veterans who are
injured, or who incur a disease, while serving in the Armed
Forces, including the provision of health care, cash
compensation, and other benefits for such disabilities;
Whereas from 1945 to 1963, the United States conducted test
explosions of approximately 235 nuclear devices, potentially
exposing approximately 220,000 members of the Armed Forces to
unknown levels of radiation, and approximately 195,000
members of the Armed Forces have been identified as
participants in the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
Japan, after World War II;
Whereas many of these veterans later claimed that low
levels of radiation released during such tests, or exposure
to radiation during such occupation, may be a cause of
certain medical conditions; and
Whereas Sunday, July 16, 2000, is the 55th anniversary of
the first nuclear explosion, the Trinity Shot in New Mexico:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) July 16, 2000, should be designated as a ``National Day
of Remembrance'' in order to honor veterans exposed to
radiation or radioactive materials during service in the
Armed Forces; and
(2) the contributions, sacrifices, and distinguished
service on behalf of the United States of the Americans
exposed to radiation or radioactive materials while serving
in the Armed Forces are worthy of solemn recognition.
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