Bill Text: MO HCR29 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requests the Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard to establish a voluntary reporting program for Missouri National Guard members and veterans who have been exposed to depleted uranium
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-03-08 - Referred: Veterans (H) [HCR29 Detail]
Download: Missouri-2012-HCR29-Introduced.html
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 29
96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES OXFORD (Sponsor), STILL, MORGAN, PACE, WALTON GRAY, McCREERY, KIRKTON, HOLSMAN, McMANUS, RIZZO, JONES (63), SPRENG, HODGES, ATKINS, NASHEED, BROWN (50), PIERSON, McNEIL, McCANN BEATTY, NEWMAN, McGEOGHEGAN, HUMMEL, CASEY, McDONALD, MAY, MONTECILLO, SWEARINGEN, ELLINGTON, ELLINGER, CARLSON, WEBBER, SCHUPP, CARTER, HUGHES, SCHIEBER, LAMPE, COLONA, FALLERT, NICHOLS, SCHIEFFER, MEADOWS, CONWAY (27), SMITH (71), KRATKY, SIFTON, AULL, SHIVELY, GRISAMORE, ZERR, SILVEY, SHUMAKE AND DAY (Co-sponsors).
WHEREAS, depleted uranium (DU) is a chemically toxic and radioactive heavy metal. It is a waste product of nuclear fuel or nuclear bomb production, during which natural uranium has been "depleted" of uranium 235. Gram-for-gram, DU is 60% as radioactive as pure uranium ore and has a half-life of 4.5 billion years; and
WHEREAS, DU emits radioactive alpha particles that can cause kidney and lung damage and cancer when ingested and inhaled. DU can also cause mutations that can be carried forward from one generation to another; and
WHEREAS, at least 16 different mutations used by United States Armed Forces contain DU. DU is 1.7 times denser than lead, making it a highly effective anti-tank weapon as the DU slices through the tank's armor. When a DU shell penetrates through tank armor, it ignites and spews an extremely fine DU dust into the air. Such dust can carry for miles and can be easily inhaled or ingested. DU is also used in the armor of the Abrams tank, exposing the operators of such tanks to DU radiation; and
WHEREAS, DU munitions and armor have been used extensively in Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq. Members of the Missouri National Guard serving in Iraq and in Armed Services functions, facilities, vehicles, and aircraft involving DU have been exposed to DU in unknown doses with unknown consequences to the health of such National Guard members; and
WHEREAS, it should be the highest priority of the State of Missouri to safeguard the health of Missouri National Guard veterans by assisting them in obtaining federal treatment services, including best practice health screening tests capable of detecting low levels of DU in such veterans, and by studying the health effects on such veterans of exposures to hazardous materials, including DU, during their service:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-sixth General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby request the Adjutant General to:
(1) Establish a voluntary reporting program for members of the Missouri National Guard who have been exposed to depleted uranium. Such reporting should include, but not be limited to:
(a) Illnesses believed to be attributable to exposure to depleted uranium; and
(b) Birth defects occurring in children of members of the Missouri National Guard who have been exposed to depleted uranium;
(2) Develop a plan to educate members of the Missouri National Guard and health care professionals regarding the advantages and methods of early screening, diagnosis, and treatment of exposure to depleted uranium, make recommendations on the implementation of a cost-effective plan for such screening, diagnosis, and treatment, and submit a report of the adjutant general's findings and recommendations to the General Assembly; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for Brigadier General Stephen Danner, Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard.
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