PRINTER'S NO. 2295
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
527
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY BARRAR, BISHOP, BOBACK, R. BROWN, D. COSTA,
DRISCOLL, FEE, GILLEN, GOODMAN, A. HARRIS, IRVIN, JOZWIAK,
LONGIETTI, MARSHALL, McNEILL, MILLARD, MURT, NEILSON, RAPP,
ROZZI, SAYLOR AND WATSON, OCTOBER 5, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, OCTOBER 5, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Pennsylvania delegation to the 114th Congress of the
United States to support the passage of the Toxic Exposure
Research Act of 2015.
WHEREAS, The Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015, introduced
as H.R. 1769, establishes a national center for research on the
diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the descendants
of veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service
within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and
creates an advisory board to oversee and assess the work of the
center; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, millions have served our great
nation in the United States Armed Forces and during their
service many have been exposed to toxins with unknown
consequences; and
WHEREAS, Most of these veterans did not know they were
exposed to harmful materials and many of these veterans suffered
from the harmful effects of these toxins; and
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WHEREAS, Many children and grandchildren of veterans were
born with both structural and nonstructural defects and some
have been accepted into treatment programs by the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs as a result of exposure to toxins
from a parent's military service; and
WHEREAS, Birth anomalies in the children of veterans are not
tracked, mostly going unexplained and unreported; and
WHEREAS, While these anomalies have some similarities, more
research is needed on their causes; and
WHEREAS, Most states that have birth registries do not report
to a national registry and even infant deaths and birth defects
at military hospitals relating to the children of veterans are
not put into a Federal registry; and
WHEREAS, The United States Department of Veterans Affairs and
the United States Department of Defense have been tracking toxic
exposures and possible toxic exposures without follow-up
research on the veterans and their offspring; and
WHEREAS, The Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015 would
require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of
Defense to share data regarding toxic exposures; and
WHEREAS, Parents of children with birth defects carry a heavy
emotional and financial burden; and
WHEREAS, Veterans exposed to Agent Orange and its dioxin
contaminants have reported a variety of serious health problems
and symptoms, including cancers and birth defects in their
children; and
WHEREAS, The number of Vietnam veterans who have children and
grandchildren with birth defects related to exposure to Agent
Orange are significant and the planned research seeks to provide
diagnosis, treatment and care and focus on dependents; and
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WHEREAS, In addition to creating a national center for
research, the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015 creates a
database of birth defects and anomalies, both structural and
nonstructural; and
WHEREAS, The Federal legislation is supported by the Vietnam
Veterans of America; and
WHEREAS, The Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015 is not only
focused on research of Agent Orange and other chemicals used in
South Vietnam, but also exposures to chemical agents for all
veterans who served in our armed forces, including those exposed
to toxic fumes released by the United States Demolition
Operations at the Khamisiyah Pit and those exposed to toxic
fires from burn pits across Iraq and Afghanistan during
operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and
Operation New Dawn; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the Pennsylvania delegation to
the 114th Congress of the United States to support the passage
of the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015, H.R. 1769; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States, the United States Department
of Defense, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and
to each member of Congress from Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
John Rowan, President, Vietnam Veterans of America; Thomas
Haberkorn, President, Vietnam Veterans of America Pennsylvania
State Council; and Dennis Haas, President, Pennsylvania War
Veterans Council.
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