New Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015

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New Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015

#1 Postby boardman » Wed Apr 15, 2015 9:40 am

Senators Moran and Blumenthal,
Representatives Benishek and Honda Introduce
New Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015

(Washington, DC) – “It’s bad enough that veterans have had to bear the cross of exposure to toxic agents during our military service,” said Vietnam Veterans of America National President John Rowan. “It is worse to see our children and grandchildren afflicted with health conditions we suspect have derived from our exposure, and to think we are the cause of their hurt and pain. Today, however, we see real light at the end of a long, grim tunnel with the introduction of the ‘Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015.’ This legislation, when enacted, will establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs a national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service,” Rowan said

“VVA is gratified that this is a bipartisan effort in both houses of Congress,” Rowan emphasized. “We applaud Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Dick Blumenthal (D-CT), and Representatives Dan Benishek (R-MI) and Mike Honda (D-CA) – and their energetic and committed staffs – for introducing S. 901 and H.R. 1769. We will pull out all the stops to work with them in seeking additional co-sponsors for this very necessary legislation. And we will work with our fellow veterans service organizations, military organizations and associations, and others to move these bills through the legislative process and into black-letter law.”

“This bill isn’t only about the herbicide Agent Orange and other chemicals used in South Vietnam,” Rowan pointed out, “It’s about exposures to chemical agents for all who have served in our Armed Forces, including those exposed to the toxic fumes released by the U.S. Demolition Operations at the Khamisiyah Pit and those exposed to the toxic fires from burn pits across Afghanistan and Iraq during Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.”

Rowan noted that a key part of this legislation is the establishment of an advisory board that will oversee and assess the work of the center, to determine health conditions in a veteran’s offspring that likely result from the veteran’s exposure, and to study and evaluate cases of exposure.

Vietnam Veterans of America (www.vva.org) is the nation's only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated to the needs of Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA's founding principle is “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”
Tom
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"See You On The Other Side"
8)

boardman
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Posts: 3943
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Re: New Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015

#2 Postby boardman » Fri Apr 17, 2015 12:30 pm

The Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015 bipartisan legislation introduced in the House and Senate

VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 14, 2015
No. 15-4
Contact: Mokie Porter
(301) 996-0901

Senators Moran and Blumenthal, Representatives Benishek and Honda Introduce
New Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015

(Washington, DC) -- "It's bad enough that veterans have had to bear the cross of exposure to toxic agents during our military service," said Vietnam Veterans of America National President John Rowan. "It is worse to see our children and grandchildren afflicted with health conditions we suspect have derived from our exposure, and to think we are the cause of their hurt and pain. Today, however, we see real light at the end of a long, grim tunnel with the introduction of the 'Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015.' This legislation, when enacted, will establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs a national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service," Rowan said

"VVA is gratified that this is a bipartisan effort in both houses of Congress," Rowan emphasized. "We applaud Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Dick Blumenthal (D-CT), and Representatives Dan Benishek (R-MI) and Mike Honda (D-CA) -- and their energetic and committed staffs -- for introducing S. 901 and H.R. 1769. We will pull out all the stops to work with them in seeking additional co-sponsors for this very necessary legislation. And we will work with our fellow veterans service organizations, military organizations and associations, and others to move these bills through the legislative process and into black-letter law."

"This bill isn't only about the herbicide Agent Orange and other chemicals used in South Vietnam," Rowan pointed out, "It's about exposures to chemical agents for all who have served in our Armed Forces, including those exposed to the toxic fumes released by the U.S. Demolition Operations at the Khamisiyah Pit and those exposed to the toxic fires from burn pits across Afghanistan and Iraq during Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn."

Rowan noted that a key part of this legislation is the establishment of an advisory board that will oversee and assess the work of the center, to determine health conditions in a veteran's offspring that likely result from the veteran's exposure, and to study and evaluate cases of exposure.

WATCH PRESS CONFERENCE AT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvvz1_Gr0pQ

Vietnam Veterans of America (www.vva.org) is the nation's only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated to the needs of Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA's founding principle is "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another."
Tom
Boardman & Webmaster
"See You On The Other Side"
8)

boardman
Site Admin
Posts: 3943
Age: 75
Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:16 pm
VVA Chapter: 47
Location: So. Cal.
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Re: New Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015

#3 Postby boardman » Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:39 pm

VVA National President testifies before HVAC Subcommittee on Health in support of H.R. 1769, The Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015
CONTACT YOUR HOUSE MEMBER ON APRIL 23, 2015

April 22, 2015

On Thursday April 23, 2015 at 10:00 am in room 334 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) National President/CEO John Rowan will be presenting testimony before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health in support of H.R. 1769, the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015.

This bi-partisan legislation introduced by the Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health Dan Benishek (MI) and co-sponsored by Congressman Michael M. Honda (CA-17). Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), Elizabeth H. Esty (CT-5), Chellie Pingree (ME-1), Mike Quigley (IL-5), Kevin Yoder (KS-3) and Lee M. Zeldin (NY-1) have also joined and co-sponsored the bill.

The passage of the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015 is one of the most important efforts that we can do to collectively assure that future military service generations learn from our experience and that our offspring receive the respect and consideration for the sacrifices and pain that they will endure from illnesses due to our service in Vietnam.

VVA urges you to take action on THURSDAY APRIL 23, 2015! Go to our Legislative Action site at http://capwiz.com/vva/home/ Enter your Zip Code call and write your Representatives and ask them to join their colleagues and co-sponsor H.R. 1769, the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015.

The hearing on April 23, 2015 can be viewed live at http://veterans.house.gov/
Tom
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"See You On The Other Side"
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boardman
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VVA National President testifies before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee in support of S.901, The Toxic Exposure 20

#4 Postby boardman » Wed Jun 24, 2015 5:41 am

VVA National President testifies before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee in support of S.901, The Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015


VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA
Senate Veterans Affairs Committee includes S.901, the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015 in hearing on June 24, 2015

JUNE 23, 2015

On Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at 2:30 pm in room 418 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) National President/CEO John Rowan will be presenting testimony before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee in support of S.901, the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015 as well as several other bills before the committee.

This bi-partisan legislation was introduced by Senators Jerry Moran (KS) and Richard Blumenthal (CT), Ranking Minority member, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Senators Richard Durbin (IL), Pat Roberts (KS), Jon Tester (MT), Steven Daines (MT), Kirsten E. Gillibrand (NY). Charles Schumer (NY), Sherrod Brown (OH), Jeff Merkley (OR), Ron Wyden (OR) and Joe Machin (WV) have also joined their colleagues and co-sponsored the bill.

The passage of the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015 is one of the most important efforts that we can do to collectively assure that future military service generations learn from our experience and that our offspring receive the respect and consideration for the sacrifices and pain that they will endure from illnesses due to our service in Vietnam.

VVA urges you to take action NOW! Go to our Legislative Action site at http://capwiz.com/vva/home/ Enter your Zip Code and send the prepared letter to your Senators asking them to join their colleagues in co-sponsoring S.901, the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015.
Please follow-up your letter with a call to your Senators office. When calling your Senator please inform their staff of the hearing on June 24, 2015

The hearing on June 24, 2015 can be viewed live at http://www.veterans.senate.gov/
Tom
Boardman & Webmaster
"See You On The Other Side"
8)

boardman
Site Admin
Posts: 3943
Age: 75
Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:16 pm
VVA Chapter: 47
Location: So. Cal.
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Re: New Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015

#5 Postby boardman » Sat Dec 19, 2015 9:54 am

CONGRESS RECESSES FOR THE YEAR

Vietnam Veterans of American - Legislative Update

December 18, 2015

The omnibus bill passes both Houses and Congress recess for the year

The House and Senate have recessed and will not reconvene until January 6, 2016; before both houses recessed, they passed the $1.1 trillion omnibus-spending bill funding the federal government, which includes a boost in VA FY2016 funding until September 30, 2016 and a $622 billion tax break package. The House voted 316-113 and the Senate voted 65-33 the bill will now be sent to the President for signature.

H.R. 1769 and S.901, the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015

On behalf of VVA National President and our Board of Directors, we would like to thank everyone for taking action in this 1st session of 114th Congress in calling and writing your members of Congress supporting H.R. 1769 and S.901, the Toxic Exposure Act of 2015. Your grassroots efforts have resulted in 147 co-sponsors in the house and 27 cosponsors in the Senate.

VVA urges you while both houses are in recess to please continue using our online advocacy site capwiz at http://capwiz.com/vva/home/ and send the prepared letters to your members who have not co-sponsored H.R. 1769 and S.901, please follow up your letter with a phone call or visit to their office. Go to http://capwiz.com/vva/issues/ for a list of co-sponsors.

Again, we thank everyone for supporting H.R. 1769 and S.901, the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015 and look forward to working with each of you again in the 2nd Session of the 114th on this important legislation for veterans and their families.

Happy Holidays
Tom
Boardman & Webmaster
"See You On The Other Side"
8)


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