    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [May 28, 1996]
    [Pages 821-823]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Announcing Agent Orange-Related Disability Benefits for
    Vietnam Veterans and an Exchange With Reporters
    May 28, 1996

        Mr. Vice President, thank you very much for your very moving remarks
    and your support of this endeavor. Secretary Brown, thank you for your
    service to our country in so many ways and especially for your work at
    the Veterans Administration, along with Deputy Secretary Hershel Gober
    and the others who are here. Senator Robb, Congressman Evans, and to
    Members of Congress who are not here, including Senator Daschle who
    worked so hard on this issue; to the Vietnam veterans who are here and
    all others who are concerned about this matter:
        This is an important day for the United States to take further steps
    to ease the suffering our Nation unintentionally caused its own sons and
    daughters by exposing them to Agent Orange in Vietnam. For over two
    decades Vietnam veterans made the case that exposure to Agent Orange was
    injuring and killing them long before they left the field of battle,
    even damaging their children.
        For years, the Government did not listen. With steps taken since
    1993, and the important step we are taking today, we are showing that
    America can listen and act. I'm announcing that Vietnam veterans with
    prostate cancer and the neurological disorder peripheral neuropathy are
    entitled to disability payments based upon their exposure to Agent
    Orange. Our administration will also propose legislation to meet the
    needs of veterans' children afflicted with the birth defect spina
    bifida--the first time the offspring of American soldiers will receive
    benefits for combat-related health problems.
        From the outset, we have pressed hard for answers about the effects
    of Agent Orange and other chemicals used to kill vegetation during the
    war in Vietnam. Once we had those answers, we've looked for practical
    ways to ease the pain of Americans who have already sacrificed so much
    for their country.
        Soon after I took office, the National Academy of Sciences completed
    a study on the long-

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    term health effects of Agent Orange. The Veterans Administration, under
    Secretary Brown's leadership, moved immediately to compensate and treat
    veterans with illnesses that the National Academy found were associated
    with Agent Orange.
        First we added two diseases, Hodgkin's disease and a liver disorder,
    to the list of ailments recognized as being associated with exposure to
    Agent Orange. Then Secretary Brown created a full task force to look
    into the National Academy of Sciences report in more detail. Acting on
    its recommendations, I approved disability payments to Vietnam veterans
    suffering from respiratory cancers and multiple myeloma. Finally, we
    asked the National Academy of Sciences to focus on the link between
    Agent Orange and other conditions, including prostate cancer, peripheral
    neuropathy, and spina bifida in the children of Vietnam veterans.
    Today's actions reflect the National Academy's most recent findings.
        I want to commend the National Academy of Sciences and its Institute
    of Medicine for their extraordinary service to our Vietnam veterans.
    They reached out to the best doctors and scientists in America for the
    answers to the hard questions about Agent Orange. Just as important,
    they reached out to our Vietnam veterans to give them full voice in
    their work.
        I want to praise the determination of Secretary Brown, who time and
    time again has turned reports into actions. And there is no better
    example than his work on Agent Orange.
        Finally, I want to thank my longtime friend Admiral Zumwalt.
    America's Vietnam veterans have had no greater champion. You heard him
    outline--in ways that reflected well on the President, but should have
    reflected well on the proselytizing of Admiral Zumwalt--[laughter]--over
    10 years of effort to make sure that someone he never imagined would be
    President at least knew about the issue of Agent Orange. No one has done
    more to keep the spotlight on Agent Orange. No one has done more to
    demand that all of us do better by our veterans. No one knows more and
    has shown more what it means to take personal responsibility for our
    actions.
        Admiral, every single American with a heart and a soul to love this
    country is in your debt today, and we thank you.
        I also want to thank the Members of Congress, two of whom are here,
    especially those who served in Vietnam, who are strong and healthy but
    who have not forgotten those with whom they served, for never letting
    this issue go.
        These actions show that our country can face up to the consequences
    of our actions; that we will bear responsibility for the harm we do,
    even when the harm is unintended; that we will continue to honor those
    who served our country and gave so much.
        Nothing we can do will ever fully repay the Vietnam veterans for all
    they gave and all they lost, particularly those who have been damaged by
    Agent Orange. But we must never stop trying. The veterans never stopped
    taking every step they could for America; now it is our turn to do what
    we should do. We can and will go the extra step for them.
        And again I say today, every person involved in this decision has
    served our country well and honored our veterans and their sacrifice. I
    thank them all. And I thank you for coming. Thank you very much.
        Thank you all very much. What did you say?

    Israeli Elections

        Q. Are you pulling for Prime Minister Peres and the Labor Party
    tomorrow?
        The President. I knew I shouldn't have come back. [Laughter] I think
    we all recognize--very briefly--I think we all recognize that that
    election tomorrow is a very important election for the future of Israel
    and the future of the Middle East. Israel is a great democracy and the
    people are fully capable of making their own judgments.
        The United States supports the peace process, and we have made it
    clear that if further steps are taken that entail risks for peace, we
    will stand with the Government and the people of Israel, the leaders of
    Israel in minimizing those risks. We will do everything we possibly can
    to do it. But that is the important thing that I want the people of
    Israel to know.
        They have to make the decision of whether they want to pursue the
    peace process or not; that is their decision. We believe, ultimately,
    it's the only way to bring peace and security, and we want both peace
    and security. I think that's what they all want. I think that's why the
    race is so close.
        But I can tell you this: If they decide to stay on the path of
    peace, we will share the risk; we will do what we can to minimize the
    risk. They can make the decision. Whatever de-

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    cision they make, we obviously--all countries--will accept and respect.
    But if they decide to stay with peace, we will do what we can to make
    sure they can have security as well.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:22 p.m. in Room 450 of the Old Executive
    Office Building. In his remarks, he referred to Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt,
    Jr., USN (Ret.), former Chief of Naval Operations.