    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [February 14, 1996]
    [Pages 255-256]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Interim Report of the Presidential Advisory Committee
    on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses
    February 14, 1996

        I am pleased to accept the interim report of the Presidential
    Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses. Dr. Joyce Lashof and
    the Committee members have made an impressive start on helping to ensure
    that we are doing all we can both to determine the causes of the

    [[Page 256]]

    illnesses Gulf war veterans are suffering from, and to provide effective
    medical care to those in need.
        I am pleased that the Committee's interim report recognizes the
    serious efforts underway in the administration to restore these men and
    women to good health. I know that the Departments of Defense, Health and
    Human Services, and Veterans Affairs will review the recommendations
    contained in this report and will continue the research, outreach, and
    medical programs needed to improve the lives of Gulf war veterans and
    their families.
        I have asked Secretary William Perry, Secretary Donna Shalala, and
    Secretary Jesse Brown to develop an action plan for implementing the
    recommendations in the interim report. I am also asking the Departments
    to continue their record of full cooperation with the Advisory Committee
    as it prepares its final report over the next 10 months.
        As I said last March when announcing my intention to establish the
    Advisory Committee, 5 years ago we relied on these Gulf war veterans to
    fight for our country; they must now be able to rely on us to try to
    determine why they are ill and to help restore them to full health. We
    are all indebted to the Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War
    Veterans' Illnesses for its contribution to this critical task. I look
    forward to reviewing their final recommendations later this year.