[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 205 (Friday, December 4, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H6848-H6849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 MARKING A VICTORY FOR VIETNAM VETERANS

  (Mr. HARDER of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HARDER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a 
long-overdue victory for our Vietnam veterans.
  For decades, tens of thousands of Vietnam vets haven't got the 
benefits that they deserve. Even though diseases like Parkinson's, 
hyperthyroidism, and bladder cancer are scientifically linked to Agent 
Orange, they still aren't covered by the VA.
  But, today, I am thrilled to say that veterans exposed to Agent 
Orange can finally stop fighting their own government because my bill, 
the Fair Care for Veterans Act, is on track to become the law of the 
land.
  I want to dedicate this effort to Joshua Melendez of Modesto, 
California, and Lyle Ducheneaux of Turlock, California, two local 
veterans who will personally be impacted by this change.
  Most of all, I want to dedicate this effort to my grandfather, First 
Sergeant Albert Z. Simmons, whose life was cut tragically short by 
Agent Orange. I wish he could be with us today to see this.
  These veterans fought for us. It has been my honor to fight for them. 
God

[[Page H6849]]

bless you, and thank you for your service.

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