Minnesota Session Laws - 1984, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1984 

                       RESOLUTION 14-S.F.No. 531 
 A resolution memorializing the President and Congress 
of the United States to provide medical care for 
former members of the military forces who were exposed 
to atomic radiation in the course of their duties. 
    WHEREAS, there are approximately 250,000 veterans in the 
United States who were exposed to atomic radiation during the 
occupation of Japan and in conjunction with at least 235 
atmospheric nuclear weapons tests conducted in the 1940's and 
1950's and up to as recently as 1962; and 
    WHEREAS, these veterans are now suffering myriad health 
problems, including cancer, degenerative bone and nerve 
diseases, intestinal disorders, blood and respiratory diseases, 
emotional problems, and birth defects in children and 
grandchildren; and 
    WHEREAS, recent medical evidence indicates that these 
ailments are associated with exposure to atomic radiation; and 
    WHEREAS, these veterans have typically been hesitant to 
come forward for fear of prosecution under secrecy statutes and 
possible loss of employee medical benefits and diminished 
employment potential; and 
    WHEREAS, regulations published by the United States 
Veterans' Administration on December 2, 1981, pertaining to the 
provision of health care to veterans exposed to atomic radiation 
do not address health symptoms other than cancer; and 
    WHEREAS, current Veterans' Administration regulations have 
been used to deny 98 percent of the claims by veterans for 
health care and compensation; and 
    WHEREAS, under these regulations, it is incumbent upon the 
veteran to prove his or her exposure to atomic radiation through 
his or her own initiative in securing records that often are 
incomplete or missing entirely; NOW, THEREFORE, 
    BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of 
Minnesota, that the President and Congress of the United States 
should direct the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to revise 
the current regulations of the Veterans' Administration 
regarding the provision of health care to veterans exposed to 
atomic radiation to fully recognize the body of medical evidence 
associating exposure to atomic radiation with a wide range of 
health effects.  
    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that other appropriate agencies and 
resources of the United States be brought to bear in an 
investigation of the health and genetic complaints of veterans 
exposed to atomic radiation and of the apparent loss of records 
and documentation pertaining to exposure of individuals and 
military units.  
     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 April 25, 1984