IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 687 

Expressing support for the designation of July 16 as ‘‘National Atomic 

Veterans Day’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 8, 2019 

Ms. SPANBERGER (for herself and Ms. JACKSON LEE) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of July 16 as 

‘‘National Atomic Veterans Day’’. 

Whereas more than 200,000 veterans of the United States, 

in service during the period between 1945 and 1963, participated in nuclear tests, served with the United States 

military occupation forces in or around Hiroshima and 

Nagasaki before 1946, or were held as prisoners of war 

in or near Hiroshima or Nagasaki; 

Whereas July 16 is the anniversary of ‘‘Trinity’’, the world’s 

first detonation of a nuclear device in Alamogordo, New 

Mexico on July 16, 1945; 

Whereas the health of the atomic veterans and of many of 

the children of such veterans may have been adversely affected by exposure to ionizing radiation; 


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2 

•HRES 687 IH 

Whereas atomic veterans were not told of the hazards they 

faced from exposure to ionizing radiation, often were provided with little protection from such exposure, and were 

provided with no follow-up medical care or other monitoring to determine the health consequences of such exposure; 

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 (hereinafter referred to as ‘‘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Whereas in 1996, the United States Congress repealed the 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 July 15, 1983, President Ronald Reagan did 

designate, in accordance with Public Law 98–54, July 

16, 1983, as ‘‘National Atomic Veterans’ Day’’; 

Whereas the Public Law 98–54 designated the single day of 

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

not in each succeeding year; and 


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•HRES 687 IH 

Whereas individual States have designated July 16 in each 

year, as ‘‘National Atomic Veterans Day’’: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘National 

3 Atomic Veterans Day’’; 

4 (2) encourages the President to issue a procla5 mation calling upon the people of the United States 

6 to observe National Atomic Veterans Day with ap7 propriate ceremonies and activities; and 

8 (3) acknowledges the important role played by 

9 the atomic veterans in the defense of the Nation. 

Æ 


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