Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0059

HR0059 LRB104 08212 MST 18262 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The profound impacts of military toxic exposures on generations of veterans and military families have created the persistent and urgent need for enhanced public awareness and preventative health measures; and

WHEREAS, The history of military toxic exposures dates back more than a century, particularly with the use of chemical warfare in World War I; and

WHEREAS, Despite reductions in certain chemical agents during World War II, members of the Armed Forces continued to face significant toxic exposures, including hazardous substances from naval vessels and herbicides during the Korean War and Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides during the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, The impact of toxic exposure is not limited to veterans alone but can also affect their families, including their children with medical conditions potentially related to their parents' service, such as children born with health issues following the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, The legacy of toxic exposure extends to veterans known as "atomic veterans", who experienced hazardous radiation exposure, further compounding the health risks associated with service in the Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, Generations of veterans have faced toxic exposures while serving abroad; and

WHEREAS, Veterans have encountered other toxic exposures and environmental hazards during service in the Armed Forces, including contaminated drinking water, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyl, lead, and radiation; and

WHEREAS, In 1991, the Vietnam Veterans of America achieved a significant legislative victory when congress passed the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-4), leading to the recognition of Agent Orange as a presumptive hazard and paving the way for benefits for affected veterans; and

WHEREAS, Subsequent conflicts, including the Persian Gulf War, have seen soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines facing similar debilitating health issues due to toxic exposures, reinforcing the need for continued advocacy and research; and

WHEREAS, Multiple veterans service organizations, including Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Vietnam Veterans of America, and others, have worked tirelessly to secure legislative improvements, including studies on the effects of toxic exposure and the passage of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (Public Law 117- 168), also known as the PACT Act; and

WHEREAS, The PACT Act expanded eligibility for benefits and health care to veterans of all eras who were exposed to toxic substances; and

WHEREAS, The PACT Act established a new, responsive framework so that the Department of Veterans Affairs could more rapidly and transparently make decisions on the presumption of connection to service in the Armed Forces for illnesses and other conditions associated with toxic exposure; and

WHEREAS, Burn pits, hazardous particulate matter, Agent Orange, oil well fires, fuel leaks, and other toxic events present in various conflicts have emerged as significant health concerns, necessitating research into their long-term effects on veterans and their families; and

WHEREAS, The lessons from toxic exposures guide the work and research of the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Congress; and

WHEREAS, The effects of toxic exposure are not only confined to members of the Armed Forces and their family members but also can impact civilian workers and residents of military installations exposed to hazardous materials; and

WHEREAS, Continued vigilance is necessary to prevent future incidents of toxic exposure; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare October 2025 as Military Toxic Exposures Awareness Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize the profound impact toxic exposures have had on veterans, members of the Armed Forces, their families, and their survivors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the sacrifices of individuals impacted by toxic exposure in the Armed Forces.