HCR 3 – FINAL VERSION
21Mar2007… 0502h
2007 SESSION
09/04
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 3
A RESOLUTION urging that New Hampshire members and veterans of the armed forces and national guard and their dependents receive health screening for depleted uranium exposure.
SPONSORS: Rep. French, Merr 5; Rep. D. Smith, Hills 22; Rep. Gould, Rock 5; Rep. B. Richardson, Ches 5; Sen. Kenney, Dist 3
This house concurrent resolution urges the Department of Veterans Affairs and the adjutant general to provide health screening for depleted uranium exposure for certain New Hampshire members and veterans of the armed forces and national guard and their dependents.
21Mar2007… 0502h
07-0204
09/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven
A RESOLUTION urging that New Hampshire members and veterans of the armed forces and national guard and their dependents receive health screening for depleted uranium exposure.
Whereas, the World Health Organization has released several reports and scientific studies concerning the health risks from exposure to depleted uranium; and
Whereas, the chemical and radiological toxicity of depleted uranium has been a reported cause of kidney dysfunction, damage to lung cells that increases the possibility of lung cancer, neurological disorders, liver infection, and high miscarriage rates among military personnel who have returned from a designated combat zone where depleted uranium munitions have been used; and
Whereas, these munitions and armor have been used extensively in the 1991 Gulf War and during the 3 years since the 2003 invasion of Iraq; and
Whereas, the significant environmental impact from military use and disposal of depleted uranium munitions has been found in contaminated ground surfaces, which over time will lead to food and ground water contamination; and
Whereas, Connecticut and Louisiana have recently passed legislation, and many other states are considering legislation, to give all returning veterans the right to a best practices health screening test for exposure to depleted uranium; and
Whereas, reliable reports indicate widespread military non-compliance with regulations, orders, and directives, including Medical Management of Unusual Depleted Uranium Casualties, dated October 14, 1993; Medical Management of Army Personnel Exposed to Depleted Uranium, dated April 20, 2004; and section 2-5 of Army Regulations 700-48, requiring prompt medical care for all exposed individuals; and
Whereas, there is a public health need to ensure the safe storage, disposal, and clean-up of munitions and other products containing depleted uranium; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the New Hampshire legislature urges the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist any member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed services who has been exposed to depleted uranium munitions or equipment, and the dependants of any such member or veteran, to obtain a best practices health screening test for exposure to depleted uranium that uses methods capable of detecting low levels of depleted uranium; and
That the New Hampshire legislature urges the adjutant general to:
(1) Assist any member of the New Hampshire national guard who has handled, used, or stored depleted uranium munitions or equipment and any member who returns or has returned to this state after service in an area designated by the President of the United States, and any such member’s dependents, to obtain a best practices health screening test for exposure to depleted uranium that uses methods capable of detecting low levels of depleted uranium; and
(2) Ensure that quality health treatment is available for all members or veterans of the New Hampshire national guard and their dependents who may have been exposed to depleted uranium; and
That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Secretary of Defense, the adjutant general, the commissioner of the department of health and human services, and the members of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.
Approved: May 10, 2007