    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [February 6, 1991]
    [Pages 114-115]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Agent Orange Act of 1991

    February 6, 1991

        I am pleased today to sign into law H.R. 556, the ``Agent Orange Act
    of 1991.'' This legislation relies on science to settle the troubling
    questions concerning the effect on veterans of exposure to herbicides--
    such as Agent Orange--used during the Vietnam era.
        H.R. 556 will have three primary effects:
        --It will codify decisions previously made by my Administration with
            respect to presumptions of service connection related to the
            Vietnam experience and herbicide exposure.
        --It will establish a new procedure for determining whether
            particular diseases are related to exposure to Agent Orange.
            This includes calling upon the National Academy of Sciences to
            study the scientific evidence concerning the potential health
            effects of exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used in
            Vietnam.
        --It will provide a reasoned and scientific basis for determining
            whether to proceed with further studies concerning the effects
            of exposure to herbicides.
        The issue of the effects of exposure to Agent Orange is one of
    deeply held, but divisive, beliefs. I believe that my Administration has
    done an exemplary job in carrying out the mandate of Public Law 98-542,
    the ``Veterans' Dioxin and Radiation Exposure Compensation Standards
    Act.'' I want to express my particular thanks to the Veterans' Advisory
    Committee on Environmental Hazards, a Federal advisory committee
    established by that law. This committee, since its creation in 1985, has
    done a thoroughly professional job in carrying out its assigned duties.
        Nevertheless, I am aware of the concern of some that a
    nongovernmental review would be of value. Accordingly, I applaud the
    efforts of the Congress to work toward a thoughtful and meaningful
    compromise of the Agent Orange issue.
        My Administration has stated many times one overriding goal in this
    area--providing the truth to Vietnam veterans about the effects of
    exposure to Agent Orange. I believe that this legislation will further
    that goal, and I am therefore pleased to sign H.R. 556.

                                                                 George Bush

    [[Page 115]]

    The White House,
    February 6, 1991.

                        Note: H.R. 556, approved February 6, was assigned
                            Public Law No. 102-4.