Thank you, Senator Gillibrand, for the opportunity to speak on the bill Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 which includes your bill Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act.
When I was an ROTC cadet at the University of Massachusetts, all my sergeants and officers were Vietnam veterans. Later as a young officer, my NCOs and officers – a little older by then – were Vietnam vets. Sadly, many have died from Agent Orange exposure. Their objection was not to Agent Orange as a tool of war; it was with their government’s failure to care for them.
This afternoon we speak in support of comrades who have suffered from and will suffer from toxic exposure from their military service.
We expect the House and Senate to vote on the new PACT bill in the next few days. Every vote will count.
The dozens of veterans and military groups which have come together on this legislation urge you to call, visit, and write your Senator to vote YEA until the vote is called.
This past Memorial Weekend we recognized the tragedy that Vietnam veterans did not get medical care from the VA until decades after the war. Gulf War vets were denied. Don’t let that happen to our newest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
They need medical care now.
The Reserve Organization of America – ROA – is 100 years old this year. ROA was chartered by Congress to advocate for military readiness and is the only national military organization that exclusively focuses on the Reserve and National Guard. Passing the PACT Act is a national security issue.
Young Americans considering the military must be confident that their government will take care of them — and not abandon them when the going gets tough and they come home sick or disabled. Look what happened to our Vietnam comrades – it must not happen again!
Mothers and fathers must be confident that their sons and daughters . . . who they see go into harm’s way . . . will be cared for and not kicked to the curb once the parades are over.
ROA is proud to be standing with Senator Gillibrand today fighting for a better future for veterans who have given their measure.
We thank those in Congress who understand the true cost of war and stand with us in support of the PACT Act – any delay puts lives at risk; these veterans need care today.