Minnesota Session Laws - 1983, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1983 

                       RESOLUTION 9--H.F.No. 1081
 A resolution memorializing the President and Congress 
of the United States to provide service-connected 
disability compensation for former members of the 
military forces who were exposed in Vietnam to toxic 
herbicides, chemicals, medications, and other 
environmental hazards and conditions. 
    WHEREAS, there are approximately 2,700,000 veterans in the 
United States who were exposed in Vietnam to toxic herbicides, 
chemicals, medications, and other environmental hazards and 
conditions; and 
    WHEREAS, these veterans are now suffering numerous adverse 
health effects, including cancers, liver disorders, and skin 
disorders that may be the result of the exposure; and 
    WHEREAS, scientific studies now completed or underway have 
documented a connection between such adverse health effects and 
exposure to toxic herbicides, chemicals, medications, and 
environmental hazards and conditions that existed in Vietnam; 
and 
     WHEREAS, current Veteran Administrative regulations do not 
allow service connected disability compensation to be awarded 
for adverse health effects of toxic herbicides, chemicals, 
medications, and other environmental hazards and conditions that 
existed in Vietnam; NOW, THEREFORE, 
     BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of 
Minnesota, that Congress should speedily enact legislation to 
compensate Vietnam veterans for adverse health effects stated 
above.  Appropriate agencies and resources of the United States 
should be brought to bear in an investigation of the health and 
genetic complaints of Vietnam veterans exposed to toxic 
herbicides, chemicals, medications, and other environmental 
hazards and conditions.  
    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the 
State of Minnesota is directed to transmit certified copies of 
this memorial to the President of the United States, the 
President and Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker 
and Chief Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, 
to each Senator and Representative from Minnesota in the 
Congress of the United States, and to the Administrator of 
Veterans' Affairs. 
    Approved June 14, 1983