HOUSE BILL REPORT

HJM 4035

BYRepresentatives Unsoeld, Sayan, Anderson, Nelson, Patrick, Jacobsen, Rust, Todd, Ferguson, Meyers, Sutherland, Holm, Holland, D. Sommers, Sanders, Heavey, Rasmussen, Grant, Appelwick, Basich, Pruitt, Dellwo, Peery, Fisher, H. Sommers, Wang, Jones, Nutley, Jesernig, Belcher, R. King, O'Brien, Sprenkle, Leonard, Cooper, Walk, Dorn, Lewis, P. King, Brough, Winsley, Miller, Brekke and Spanel

Petitioning Congress to study the claims of veterans exposed to Agent Orange.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Brekke, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Anderson, Leonard, Moyer, Padden, H. Sommers, Sutherland and Winsley.

House Staff:Jean Wessman (786-7132)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 13, 1988

BACKGROUND:

One of the areas of conflict remaining from the war in Vietnam is whether the herbicide Agent Orange is a factor in some of the disorders suffered by Vietnam Era veterans, including cancer, infertility, birth defects among their children, and nervous disorders.  Several studies have been completed on the effects of Agent Orange with inconclusive results. However, the Veterans' Administration has released a report showing higher percentages of lung cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas among veterans exposed to Agent Orange. There has been little compensation for veterans suffering from post-war ailments associated with exposure.  There currently are more than 5000 lawsuits concerning Agent Orange.  It is felt by many that further in-depth study is required on the effects of Agent Orange.

SUMMARY:

The Memorial calls for additional compensation to be paid based on available data, the initiation of hearings regarding the cancellation of Agent Orange studies and the funding of additional studies.  The Memorial is to be transmitted to the President of the United States and the members of the United States Congress.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Joe Cole, Citizen.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    There is a great need for additional studies on the effects of the herbicide Agent Orange on Vietnam War veterans.  While there have been studies that were inconclusive about the correlation between physical and neurological disorders suffered by Vietnam veterans and Agent Orange, there have also been some dramatic statistics showing higher than expected percentages of certain cancers.  The federal government and the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta have obfuscated the results of study on Agent Orange by using questionable control and cohort groups for data. The federal government has failed to step up to its responsibility to these veterans who willingly served their country when called upon and who now suffer the consequences.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.