IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 377 

Recognizing ‘‘National Atomic Veterans Day’’ on July 16. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 23, 2015 

Mr. BRAT submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing ‘‘National Atomic Veterans Day’’ on July 16. 

Whereas approximately 250,000 veterans of the United 

States, while serving in the active military, naval, or air 

service during the period beginning in 1945 and ending 

in 1963, witnessed and participated in at least 235 atmospheric nuclear weapons tests conducted in the Pacific 

Ocean and the Southwestern United States or served in 

Hiroshima or Nagasaki during the period of the occupation of Japan by the military forces of the United States 

immediately following World War II; 

Whereas these atomic veterans patriotically served their country, meeting the needs of national defense during this 

critical period in history; 

Whereas July 16 is the anniversary of ‘‘Trinity’’, the first 

detonation of an atomic weapon, which took place at 


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•HRES 377 IH 

Alamogordo Air Force Base in New Mexico on July 16, 

1945; 

Whereas the health of many of the atomic veterans and of 

many of the natural children of such veterans may have 

been adversely affected by the exposure of such veterans 

to ionizing radiation from the detonation of atomic or nuclear weapons; 

Whereas the Congress recognizes the patriotism and dedication of the atomic veterans and the importance of resolving the issues arising from the problems caused by the 

exposure of the atomic veterans to ionizing radiation; 

Whereas many atomic veterans were prevented by secrecy 

laws or oaths from seeking medical care or disability 

compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for conditions they may have developed as a result of radiation exposure; 

Whereas in 1996, the United States Congress repealed the 

Nuclear Radiation and Secrecy Agreements Act, freeing 

atomic veterans to describe their military involvement in 

nuclear testing in order to file for VA benefits; 

Whereas atomic veterans may be eligible for free medical care 

from the VA and compensation in the form of a partial 

or full service-connected disability allowance, including 

potential payments to a surviving spouse or children; 

Whereas the National Association of Atomic Veterans was 

formed in 1979 to help atomic veterans obtain medical 

care and assistance; 

Whereas, on May 4, 1983, the Senate passed by unanimous 

consent S.J. Res. 68, a joint resolution to authorize and 

request the President to designate July 16, 1983, as 

‘‘National Atomic Veterans’ Day’’; and on June 30, 


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1983, the resolution passed the House of Representatives 

by voice vote, and on July 15, 1983, President Ronald 

Reagan signed it into Public Law 98–54; 

Whereas, on July 15, 1983, President Ronald Regan therefore did designate, in accordance with Public Law 98–54, 

July 16, 1983, as ‘‘National Atomic Veterans’ Day’’, a 

day ‘‘dedicated to those patriotic Americans who through 

their participation in these tests helped lead the United 

States to the forefront of technology in defense of our 

great Nation and the freedoms we as Americans hold so 

dear.’’; 

Whereas the designation by President Reagan was only for 

the single day of July 16, 1983, and not in each succeeding year; and 

Whereas the Virginia House of Delegates, with the Senate 

concurring, did designate July 16, in 2015, and in each 

succeeding year, as ‘‘National Atomic Veterans Day’’ in 

Virginia: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes ‘‘National Atomic Veterans 

3 Day’’; and 

4 (2) acknowledges the important role played by 

5 the Atomic Veterans in the defense of the Nation. 

Æ 


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