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 at-
mospheric nuclear weapons tests conducted in the Pacific 
Ocean and the Southwestern United States or served in 
Hiroshima or Nagasaki during the period of the occupa-
tion of Japan by the military forces of the United States 
immediately following World War II; 
Whereas these atomic veterans patriotically served their coun-
try, 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 nu-
clear weapons; 
Whereas the Congress recognizes the patriotism and dedica-
tion of the atomic veterans and the importance of resolv-
ing 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 Vet-
erans Affairs (VA) for conditions they may have devel-
oped 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Whereas in 1996, the United States Congress repealed the 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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•HRES 377 IH 
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 there-
fore 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 suc-
ceeding 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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes ‘‘National Atomic Veterans 
Day’’; and 
(2) acknowledges the important role played by 
the Atomic Veterans in the defense of the Nation. 
Æ 
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