[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 932 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 932
Designating the month of October 2024 as ``National Military Toxic
Exposures Awareness Month''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 17 (legislative day, December 16), 2024
Mr. Moran (for himself and Ms. Rosen) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Designating the month of October 2024 as ``National Military Toxic
Exposures Awareness Month''.
Whereas the profound impacts of military toxic exposures on generations of
veterans and military families have created the persistent and urgent
need for enhanced public awareness and preventative health measures;
Whereas the history of military toxic exposures dates back more than a century,
particularly with the use of chemical warfare in World War I;
Whereas, despite reductions in certain chemical agents during World War II,
members of the Armed Forces continued to face significant toxic
exposures, including hazardous substances from naval vessels and
herbicides during the Korean War and Agent Orange and other tactical
herbicides during the Vietnam War;
Whereas the impact of toxic exposure is not limited to veterans alone, but can
also affect their families, including their children with medical
conditions potentially related to their parents' service, including
children born with health issues following the Vietnam War;
Whereas the legacy of toxic exposure extends to veterans known as ``Atomic
Veterans'', who experienced hazardous radiation exposure, further
compounding the health risks associated with service in the Armed
Forces;
Whereas generations of veterans have faced toxic exposures while serving abroad;
Whereas veterans have encountered other toxic exposures and environmental
hazards during service in the Armed Forces, including contaminated
drinking water, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyl, lead, and radiation;
Whereas, in 1991, the Vietnam Veterans of America achieved a significant
legislative victory, when Congress passed the Agent Orange Act of 1991
(Public Law 102-4), leading to the recognition of Agent Orange as a
presumptive hazard and paving the way for benefits for affected
veterans;
Whereas subsequent conflicts, including the Persian Gulf War, have seen
soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines facing similar debilitating
health issues due to toxic exposures, reinforcing the need for continued
advocacy and research;
Whereas multiple veterans service organizations, including Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States, the American Legion, Disabled American
Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Vietnam Veterans of
America, and others have worked tirelessly to secure legislative
improvements, including studies on the effects of toxic exposure and the
passage of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise
to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-168), also
known as the PACT Act;
Whereas the PACT Act expanded eligibility for benefits and health care to
veterans of all eras who were exposed to toxic substances;
Whereas the PACT Act established a new, responsive framework so that the
Department of Veterans Affairs could more rapidly and transparently make
decisions on the presumption of connection to service in the Armed
Forces for illnesses and other conditions associated with toxic
exposure;
Whereas burn pits, hazardous particulate matter, Agent Orange, oil well fires,
fuel leaks, and other toxic events present in various conflicts have
emerged as significant health concerns, necessitating research into
their long-term effects on veterans and their families;
Whereas the lessons from toxic exposures guide the work and research of the
Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Congress;
Whereas the effects of toxic exposure are not confined to members of the Armed
Forces and their family members, but also can impact civilian workers
and residents of military installations exposed to hazardous materials;
Whereas continued vigilance is necessary to prevent future incidents of toxic
exposure; and
Whereas the designation of October 2024 as ``National Military Toxic Exposures
Awareness Month'' serves to highlight the historical significance of
toxic exposure during service in the Armed Forces, raise awareness of
toxic exposure, and commend the work of veterans and veterans' advocates
who labor to meet the needs of former members of the Armed Forces who
were exposed to toxic substances while in service of the United States:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates October 2024 as ``National Military Toxic
Exposures Awareness Month'';
(2) recognizes the profound impact toxic exposures have had
on veterans, members of the Armed Forces, their families, and
their survivors;
(3) honors the sacrifices of individuals impacted by toxic
exposure in the Armed Forces;
(4) calls upon the Department of Defense to reinforce the
commitment by the Federal Government to prevent future
incidents of toxic exposure among members of the Armed Forces;
(5) will continue to explore legislative initiatives aimed
at improving health outcomes and preventive measures for
current and future generations of members of the Armed Forces
and veterans;
(6) commends the Department of Defense for striving to meet
or exceed industry standards while working within status of
forces agreements with host partner nations overseas in various
international locations and urges continued efforts to meet or
exceed such standards;
(7) encourages the people of the United States to observe
National Military Toxic Exposures Awareness Month by--
(A) honoring the sacrifices of individuals impacted
by toxic exposure in the Armed Forces;
(B) promoting awareness of the ongoing challenges
and of the resources available to veterans and their
families, caregivers, and survivors from the Department
of Veterans Affairs; and
(C) supporting affected veterans and their
families; and
(8) encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs to
continue educating the public and advocating for veterans and
their families and survivors affected by toxic exposure by--
(A) promoting awareness of the impact of toxic
exposure on veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and
their families;
(B) encouraging veterans to utilize available
resources from the Department of Veterans Affairs,
veterans service organizations, and other entities;
(C) providing opportunities for research to
understand the impacts of toxic exposure and to prevent
future incidents of toxic exposure;
(D) reaching all veterans who may have encountered
toxic exposures during service in the Armed Forces and
offering screenings and relevant information;
(E) improving clinical practice guidelines for
veterans exposed to toxic substances that best meet the
unique medical needs of those veterans; and
(F) working with civic-minded groups and the people
of the United States to thank members of the Armed
Forces and veterans for their service and sacrifice.
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