[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.