CHAPTER 462
FORMERLY
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 7
AS AMENDED BY SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1
URGING THE DELAWARE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO PURSUE LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD GRANT SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY TO THOSE VETERANS WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO HERBICIDES, PRIMARILY AGENT ORANGE, USED BY THE MILITARY IN AND AROUND VIETNAM.
WHEREAS, the medical and scientific community have recognized the effects of dioxin on human beings; and
WHEREAS, dioxin is a by-product-of compounds used in many products including herbicides; and
WHEREAS, the effects have been documented by literally hundreds of studies in both the public and private sector; and
WHEREAS, one of the herbicide's, Agent Orange, used in South East Asia during the Vietnam War, has been recognized as containing dioxin; and
WHEREAS, of particular note are the most recent studies; the New Jersey Agent Orange Commissions' "Point Man Study", and the American Legion-Columbia University Vietnam Veteran Study; and
WHEREAS, those two, and countless other studies have indicated a direct correlation between exposure to Agent Orange and a host of illnesses; and
WHEREAS, the Veterans Administration (now the Department of Veterans Affairs) has not accepted the results of those studies as proof that exposure to Agent Orange, and illnesses incurred therefrom, are grounds for filing a claim for a Service Connected Disability; and
WHEREAS, as many as 8,000 Delaware veterans, who served in South East Asia, have been, or potentially may be affected by the health hazards attributed to exposure to various levels of dioxin.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 135th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that we encourage Delaware's U.S. Congressional delegation to support current pending legislation or introduce legislation which would amend Title 38, United States Code to compensate, those affected by exposure to this potentially deadly compound, as a Service Connected Disability.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon passage and enactment of this Joint Resolution, suitably prepared copies be forwarded to Senators William V. Roth, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Representative Thomas R. Carper; Senator Alan Cranston, Chairman of the Senate Veterans Committee, Representative G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee; Secretary Derwinski, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and President Bush.
Approved June 29, 1989.