SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 13

(By Senators Prezioso and Oliverio)


Requesting recognition of atomic veterans and requesting the West Virginia congressional delegation to propose or support certain benefits and medals for such veterans.

Whereas, West Virginia atomic veterans showed steadfast dedication and undisputed loyalty to their country and made intolerable sacrifices in service to their country; and
Whereas, These atomic veterans gave their all during the terribly hot atomic age to keep our country strong and free; and
Whereas, These atomic veterans were unknowingly placed in the line of fire, after being assured that they faced no harm, and were subjected to an ungodly bombardment of ionizing radiation; and
Whereas, The radiation to which they were exposed is now and will continue eating away at their bodies every second of every day for the rest of their lives with no hope of cessation or cure; and
Whereas, Because their wounds were not of the conventional type and were not caused by the enemy but by the United States government, the atomic veterans did not receive service-connected medical and disability benefits and did not receive a medal such as the purple heart; and
Whereas, Many atomic veterans have already died and others will die a horrible and painful death; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That atomic veterans be recognized by the federal government; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the United States senators and representatives from West Virginia propose or support legislation granting service-connected medical and disability benefits to all atomic veterans who were exposed to ionizing radiation and propose or support legislation issuing a medal to atomic veterans to express the gratitude of the people and government of the United States for the dedication and sacrifices of these veterans; and, be it
Further Resolved, That copies of this resolution be distributed to the president of the United States, the vice president of the United States, the clerk of the United States House of Representatives, the secretary of the United States Senate, the secretary of defense, the secretary of veterans affairs, the chairpersons of the United States House and Senate veterans affairs cCommittees and each member of the West Virginia cCongressional dDelegation.