SENATE BILL REPORT

 

 

                                   HJM 4031

 

 

BYRepresentatives Sayan, Prentice, D. Sommers, Fraser, Nealey, Brumsickle, Todd, Wood, Doty, Dellwo, Horn, Baugher, Kirby, Grant, Rasmussen, Wineberry, Padden, Holland, Heavey, Hine, Pruitt, Jones, Smith, Morris, K. Wilson, Basich, Crane, H. Sommers, Brekke, Chandler, Belcher, Anderson, Hargrove, Cantwell, Brough, Ballard, G. Fisher, Silver, P. King, Winsley, Rayburn, Rector, Haugen, Zellinsky, Valle, Sprenkle, Bowman, Cooper, Kremen, Scott, Miller and Nelson

 

 

Requesting support for veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals.

 

 

House Committe on Human Services

 

 

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

 

      Senate Hearing Date(s):February 22, 1990

 

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Smith, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Johnson, Wojahn.

 

      Senate Staff:Gregory Miller (786-7784)

                  February 22, 1990

 

 

    AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE, FEBRUARY 22, 1990

 

BACKGROUND:

 

During the Vietnam war, the United States armed forces used a chemical defoliant known as Agent Orange in conjunction with tactical military operations to deprive enemy forces of effective ground cover.  Large numbers of military personnel and noncombatants were exposed to this toxic chemical agent because of its widespread use.  Children of many Vietnam veterans are stricken with extremely high rates of lymphomas and cancers.

 

SUMMARY:

 

The Legislature of the state of Washington supports Vietnam veterans who were exposed to toxic chemical agents, is concerned about possible adverse health outcomes, and expresses its distress over the potential for birth defects in the children and grandchildren of affected veterans.  The federal government is requested to fulfill its responsibility to all veterans and resolve this issue quickly.

 

Appropriation:    none

 

Revenue:    none

 

Fiscal Note:      requested February 15, 1990

 

Senate Committee - Testified: Steve Moorhead (pro); Alta Davis, Independent Agent Orange (pro); John the Baptiste, VFW (pro); William K. Gardella, Independent Agent Orange (pro)