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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 932 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>

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.
                                 <all>
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