[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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