From: jewell@mace.cc.purdue.edu (Larry Jewell)
Subject: New Jersy Agent Orange Commission
Followup-To: soc.veterans
Organization: Purdue University
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 13:58:09 GMT


Date:         Thu, 5 Nov 1992 00:52:00 EST
From: ORANGE%MBCL.BITNET@UBVM.cc.buffalo.edu
Subject:      New Jersey Agent Orange Commission

The minutes of the Oct 1992 meeting of the NJ Agent Orange Commission
are as follows.


             NEW JERSEY AGENT ORANGE COMMISSION
                      MEETING MINUTES
                      OCTOBER 7, 1992


OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT:

The October 7, 1992 open public meeting of the Commission was
called to order by the Chairman, Patrick Keating at 7 PM in the
conference room of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Menlo
Park, New Jersey.  A quorum was present.

Executive Director William Lewis read the open public meeting
act, and, indicated that the notice of this evenings meeting was
sent to the Trenton Times, the New Brunswick Sentinnel, the
Newark Star Ledger, the Homes News, the Burlington County Times,
the New Jersey Division of Veterans Loans, Grants and Services
and the New Jersey Secretary of State.  The Commission by these
actions, is in compliance with the open public meeting act.

The following Commission members were present:

     P. Keating, Chairman              R. Ventola
     E.LaVelle                       F.Fortunato
     E.Kloss                         P. Scipione
     L. Liptak

The following Commission member was absent:

     C. Krause

The following staff members were present:

     W. W. Lewis
     E. S. Forker


Chairman's Agenda:

Chairman Keating opened the meeting and announced that Governor
Florio had appointed Mr. Jim Burdge of Eatontown to the
Commission. Mr. Burdge fills the seat left when Dr. Fogleman
resigned from the Commission.

Chairman Keating shared with Commission members a draft of a
letter he had written to Dr. Gochfeld of UMDNJ about the
neurobehavioral data from Pointman.

Chairman Keating noted that funding for the Commission is very
much in doubt. He noted that without additional funding, the
office will close in a few months. He also set the date for the
next meeting as November 4, 1992.

Chairman Keating noted that senate bill S-1101 is pending before
the Senate appropriations committee for a hearing on October 8.
Chairman Keating asked for as many Commission members as possible
to be in attendance.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT:

Mr. Lewis told the Commission that the current balance in the
Commission budget is about $48,000. He said that money will
operate the office until about mid-January.

Mr. Lewis commented on his testimony at the National Academy of
Sciences on September 9 and made available copies of his

statement. He said he had been invited back to the Academy on
December 8 to present scientific data from Pointman. There was
lengthy discussion by the Commission about the presentation.
Questions arose about Dr. Kahn's participation. No one on the
staff or Commission knew if Dr. Kahn had completed any written
materials from Pointman. Mr. Lewis advise the Commission that he
had prepared materials and was prepared to offer them in
presentation for the Commission. It was noted that Dr. Kahn had
not provided any data to the Commission relative to Pointman. Mr.
Lewis noted the importance of the NAS review under Public Law
102-4. Mr. Ventola said he felt it was important for Dr. Kahn to
participate. More discussion followed. Dr. Scipione noted that
there was no existing contract with Dr. Kahn or Rutgers. There
was discussion of a meeting with Rutgers to acquire the needed
reports from Dr. Kahn. Mr. Keating said he would call Dr. Kahn
again to try to get some answers. Mr. Lewis shared his draft
report with Commission members.

Mr. Ventola made a motion that the Commission make an effort to
have Dr. Kahn assist in the presentation of data at the NAS and
he and Mr. Lewis coordinate this effort. Mr. Lavelle moved to
table. Mr. Ventola's motion seconded by Ms. Liptak. Discussion.
Vote on Mr. Lavelle's motion to table seconded by Mr. Keating.
Motion tabled, vote 6-2.

Mr. Lewis reported that the amicus brief in the Ivy case met the
filing date with 21 states, including New Jersey joining in the
brief.

Mr. Lewis reported over 300 birth defect questionnaires have been
sent out with 69 returned to date. He reported the office is
expanding the distribution of fliers on this.

Mr. Lewis reiterated the possible shutdown of the office. He said
barring changes, termination notices will go to himself and the
staff around Thanksgiving.


COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Science Committee:
 Ms. Liptak read a letter from Dr. Kahn regarding Pointman
reports. The letter indicated some reports would be forthcoming
in the next "several weeks". Mr. Keating noted that a letter had
been sent to Dr. Francis Lawrence, president of Rutgers, asking
his help in settling this matter. The letter included a request
for a meeting with Dr. Lawrence. Discussion followed. There was
also discussion about the neurobehavioral data.


PUBLIC PORTION:

There were several questions and comments from the public
regarding the publication of Pointman data and the funding of the
Commission.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Chairman Keating reconvened the meeting in executive session to
discuss the Rutgers Contract and possible actions. There was
discussion of the letter sent to Dr. Lawrence and possible
actions the Commission might take. There was also discussion of
the pending release of the state auditor's report and it's impact
on negotiations with Rutgers. The discussion included discussion
of possible legal actions with Rutgers.


The next Commission meeting was set for November 4, 1992 at 7 PM.
Appropriate notices will be sent.



                              ____________________________________
                              William W. Lewis, Executive Director

                              new jersey agent orange commission
                              p.o. box 1717
                              trenton n.j. 08607-1717
                              609-530-8162


richard v

-- 
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