    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [November 8, 1997]
    [Page 1515]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Special Report of the Presidential Advisory Committee
    on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses
    November 8, 1997

        Our administration has made it a priority to care for and compensate
    Gulf war veterans who have fallen ill. The First Lady and I were both
    troubled by the pain and frustration these veterans felt. We have been
    determined to find out why they are sick, to make public the facts as we
    learned them, and to apply the lessons of the Gulf war for the future.
    In May 1995, I asked some of America's best doctors and scientists, as
    well as Gulf war veterans, to undertake an independent and open review
    of the Government's response to our veterans' health care concerns. Now,
    the Presidential Advisory Committee I established has delivered its
    special report. I thank its Chairman, Dr. Joyce Lashof, and the other
    members for their outstanding work and for extending their efforts 10
    months beyond their original mandate. Based on their recommendations, I
    am taking the following actions:
        First, to better care for and compensate our veterans, we will work
    to establish a new benefits system that will ensure that Gulf war
    veterans receive treatment and compensation for all illnesses linked to
    service in the Gulf even if we cannot identify the direct cause. We will
    ask the National Academy of Sciences to review the ongoing scientific
    research regarding the connections between all reported illnesses and
    Gulf war service so we have the fullest understanding of the health
    consequences of that service. In addition, we will work with Congress on
    legislation to guarantee that this system of benefits is maintained in
    all administrations to come.
        Second, to deepen our understanding of why Gulf war veterans might
    have gotten sick, we will dedicate $13.2 million for new research on
    low-level exposure to chemical agents and other possible causes of
    illness.
        Third, to make sure our veterans and the public know all the facts
    and have full confidence in DOD's fact finders, former Senator Warren
    Rudman has agreed to lead an oversight board to ensure that the Defense
    Department's ongoing investigations into events in the Gulf meet the
    highest standards.
        Fourth, to apply the lessons we have learned for the future, I am
    directing the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to create a
    new force health protection program. Every soldier, sailor, airman, and
    marine will have a comprehensive, lifelong medical record of all
    illnesses and injuries they suffer, the care and inoculations they
    receive, and their exposure to different hazards. These records will
    help us prevent illness and identify and cure those that occur.
        From the beginning, I vowed that we would not rest until we
    uncovered all the facts about Gulf war illnesses and used that knowledge
    to improve the health of our veterans, their families, and all who serve
    our Nation, now and in the future. As Veterans Day approaches, we are
    continuing work to fulfill that pledge. The men and women of our Armed
    Forces put everything on the line for us. I am determined that we show
    the same resolve for them.