[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 19, 2023)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 46045-46046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15417]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 137 / Wednesday, July 19, 2023 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 46045]]


                Proclamation 10600 of July 14, 2023

                
National Atomic Veterans Day, 2023

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The dawn of the nuclear age is familiar to many--the 
                development of new science, but also new risks and 
                destruction, as witnessed by the devastation at 
                Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But the lesser-known story is 
                that of the members of our Armed Forces who 
                participated in nuclear tests from 1945 to 1962 or were 
                exposed to radioactive material at home and abroad--our 
                courageous Atomic Veterans.

                Today, we remember their service and sacrifice and 
                recommit to ensuring they receive the benefits and care 
                they deserve. Atomic Veterans bore unusual risk but 
                were sworn to secrecy throughout their service and 
                beyond, unable to discuss the nature of their 
                experiences and contributions. As a result, many were 
                unable to get care for the serious health conditions 
                they developed. Cancers caused by radiation exposure 
                often went untreated as claims for injuries and 
                diseases associated with Atomic Veterans' service were 
                denied. And although the 1996 repeal of the Nuclear 
                Radiation and Secrecy Agreements Act allowed Atomic 
                Veterans to finally tell their story and receive 
                benefits, thousands had already passed away without 
                their families knowing the full extent of their 
                service. To this day, many remain unaware of the 
                benefits now available to them through the Department 
                of Veterans Affairs.

                Our Nation has many obligations, but we have only one 
                truly sacred obligation: to prepare those we send into 
                harm's way and care for them and their families while 
                they are deployed and when they return home--including 
                our Atomic Veterans. My Administration is making good 
                on this promise. I have signed laws that support 
                veterans who developed cancer and other medical 
                conditions stemming from our World War II nuclear 
                program. That includes the PACT Act--one of the most 
                significant laws in our Nation's history to help 
                veterans who were exposed to toxins, radiation, and 
                chemicals during their service access the care and 
                benefits they and their families deserve.

                This month, let us join together to remember the 
                service of our Atomic Veterans. Let us recommit to 
                honoring the sacrifices they made for our Nation's 
                safety and security. And let us continue to build a 
                future of peace and a world free from the threat of 
                nuclear weapons.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 16, 2023, 
                as National Atomic Veterans Day. I call upon all 
                Americans to observe this day with appropriate 
                ceremonies and activities that honor our Nation's 
                Atomic Veterans, whose brave service and sacrifice 
                played an important role in the defense of our Nation.

[[Page 46046]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                eighth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2023-15417
Filed 7-18-23; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F3-P