HOME page <Click on HOME to access site Index

Knowing what we know today about the ill affects of radiation poisoning; Would you Volunteer?

Please help us! The Atomic Veteran deserves nothing less than our gratitude!

Say "Thank You" by supporting the

"Atomic Veterans Service Medal"

Please ask your members of Congress to Co-sponsor these important bills

The following bills related to Atomic Veterans are before the Congress now and depend on your support:

HR 3471 cited as the "Atomic Veterans Medal Act of 2007"

S 2218 Senate companion bill cited as the "Atomic Veterans Medal Act of 2007"

 

HR 3794 cited as the "Recognition of Forgotten Atomic Veterans and their Surviving Spouses Act of 2007"

 

HR 4052 cited as the "Atomic Veterans Relief Act"

Current Update

Status HR 3471

HR 3471 To provide for the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in a test of atomic weapons
Latest Major Action: 9/25/2007 Referred to House Armed Services subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel

Sponsor: Rep Todd Tiahrt (KS)  Introduced: 9/4/07

Co-sponsors (17)

* Denotes - Armed Services Comm. / ** Denotes - Subcommittee Member

Rep Nancy Boyda (KS) 9/4/07 **

Rep Dennis Moore (KS) 9/4/07

Rep Jerry Moran (KS) 9/4/07
Rep Thaddeus McCotter (MI) 9/20/07 Rep Phil English (PA) 11/13/07 Rep Steve Kagen (WI) 11/13/07
Rep Bart Stupak (MI) 11/13/07 Rep Frank LoBiondo (NJ) 1/28/08 * Rep Tim Walberg (MI) 1/28/08
Rep John McHugh (NY) 2/7/08 ** Rep Adam Smith (WA) 2/7/08 * Rep Shelley Moore Capito (WV) 2/7/08.
Rep Wm Lacy Clay (MO) Rep Christopher Shays (CT) 2/12/08 Rep Michael Michaud (ME) 2/25/08
Rep Betty McCollum (MN) 5/1/08 Rep David Loebsack (IA) 6/5/08 *  

Status S 2218

S 2218 A bill to provide for the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in a test of atomic weapons.
Latest Major Action: 10/23/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Sponsor: Sen Pat Roberts (KS) Introduced 10.23/2007

Co-sponsors (1)

Sen Sam Brownback (KS)    
     

Status HR 3794

HR 3794 To improve the availability of benefits for veterans and the surviving spouses of veterans who were exposed while in military service to ionizing radiation, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 11/2/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
Sponsor: Rep Bob Filner (CA) Introduced 10/10/2007

Co-sponsors (None)

     
     

Status HR 4052

HR 4052 To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the eligibility criteria for presumption of service-connection of certain diseases and disabilities for veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during military service, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 11/2/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Sponsor: Rep Neil Abercrombie (HI) Introduced 11/2/2007

Co-sponsors (14)

Rep Madelene Bordallo (GU) 11/1/07 Rep Nancy Boyda (KS) 11/1/07 Rep Wm Lacy Clay (MO) 11/1/07
Rep Bob Filner (CA) 11/1/07 Rep Bart Gordon (TN) 11/1/07 Rep Maurice Hinchey (NY) 11/1/07
Rep William Jefferson (LA) 11/1/07 Rep Michael H. Michaud (ME) 12/18/07 Rep Thaddeus McCotter (MI) 3/31/08
Rep John McHugh (NY) 3/31/08 Rep Michael Arcuri (NY) 3/31/08 Rep James Walsh (NY) 5/21/08
Rep Stevan Pearce (NM) 7/22/08 Rep Mike McIntyre (NC) 9/10/08  

 

Updates

September 10, 2008

Additional Co-sponsors sign on to HR 4052 in the US House

Thank you: Rep Mike McIntyre (NC)

July 22, 2008

Additional Co-sponsors sign on to HR 4052 in the US House

Thank you: Rep Stevan Pearce (NM)

June 5, 2008

Additional Co-sponsors sign on to HR 3471 in the US House

Thank you: Rep David Loebsack (IA)

May 21, 2008

Additional Co-sponsors sign on to HR 4052 in the US House

Thank you: Rep James Walsh (NY)

May 1, 2008

Additional Co-sponsors sign on to HR 3471 in the US House

Thank you: Rep Betty McCollum (MN)

March 31, 2008

Additional Co-sponsors sign on to HR 4052 in the US House

Thank you: Rep John McHugh (NY), Rep Michael Arcuri (NY), Rep Thaddeus McCotter (MI)

February 25, 2008

Additional Co-sponsors sign on to HR 3471 in the US House

Thank you: Rep Michael Michaud (ME)

February 12, 2008

Additional Co-sponsors sign on to HR 3471 in the US House

Thank you: Rep Christopher Shays (CT)

February 7, 2008

Additional Co-sponsors sign on to HR 3471 in the US House

Thank you: Rep John McHugh (NY), Rep Adam Smith (WA) and Rep Shelley Moore Capito (WV)

January 28, 2008

Additional Co-sponsors sign on to HR 3471 in the US House

Thank you: Rep Frank LoBiondo (NJ) and Rep Tim Walberg (MI).

December 12, 2007

Congressman Tiahrt urges his colleagues to support HR 3471

Click here to read the Congressman's letter to Colleagues


November 17, 2007

Additional Co-sponsors sign on to HR 3471 in the US House

Thank you: Rep Phil English (PA), Rep Steve Kagen (WI), Rep Bart Stupak (MI)

 Legislation in the U.S. Senate

Sen. Pat Roberts (KS) introduced S.2218 in the US Senate on October 23,2007. The Bill, cited as the "Atomic Veterans Medal Act of 2007" is the companion bill for HR 3471 in the US House.  Sen. Sam Brownback (KS) signed on as an original co-sponsor.

Sen. Roberts comments from the record of the US Senate follow:

[Page: S13263]  GPO's PDF

   By Mr. ROBERTS:

   S. 2218. A bill to provide for the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in a test of atomic weapons; to the Committee on Armed Services.

   Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I want to take a moment to honor those veterans who have served their Nation as quiet heroes. These quiet heroes, otherwise known as Atomic Veterans, were exposed unknowingly to ionizing radiation resulting from atomic testing conducted between 1945-1963.

   Sacrifice in the service of your country can take many different forms. We see it everyday in our military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. We see it in the hospital beds of Walter Reed and VA hospitals nationwide. It is our duty as Americans, to honor the sacrifice made by our Nation's service members.

   In the case of the Atomic Veterans, sacrifice was not necessarily something that happened on the battlefield, nor on the navel fleet. The price that many Atomic Veterans paid came due after their years of military service, when enduring mysterious cancers and other medical conditions related to their exposure to ionizing radiation. Their fight continues and the time is long overdue to recognize what, for some, has become the ultimate sacrifice.

   In recognition of the silent sacrifices made by these American heroes, I am introducing the Atomic Veterans Medal Act. It is the Senate companion to H.R. 3471, offered by my colleague, Congressman Todd Tiahrt, in the House. We owe a debt of gratitude to brave Americans who have worn the uniform. It is my hope that this measure helps to show the respect and honor these Atomic Veterans deserve.

 

PRESS Release:

----- Original Message -----
From: Roberts, Press Office (Roberts)
Sent: Tue Oct 23 11:44:31 2007
Subject: News Release

CONTACT: Molly Mueller (202) 224-4774

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2007

Senators Brownback, Roberts Introduce Atomic Veterans Legislation
Bill honors those exposed to atomic weapons testing
       
        WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) today introduced the Atomic Veterans Medal Act of 2007, legislation which would honor members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to atomic testing between 1945 and 1963.

        “America owes a great debt of gratitude to all those who made sacrifices while serving our nation,” said Brownback. “I am proud to join my colleague Senator Roberts in commending the service and bravery of these veterans.”

        Atomic veterans were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participating in a test of atomic weapons conducted by the United States between 1945 and 1963. The legislation introduced today calls on the Secretary of Defense to design and produce a military service metal to honor atomic veterans. Similar legislation was introduced in September in the House by Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS).

        “These veterans showed courage to further the cause of liberty and freedom and deserve recognition,” Senator Roberts said. “Our inherent rights are protected by the men and women who have worn and are wearing the uniform and I am pleased to work with Members of our Kansas delegation to honor those who have sacrificed.”

        Senator Brownback is a member of the Senate Appropriations and Judiciary Committees. Senator Roberts is a former Marine and former senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Legislation in the U.S. House

 

Rep Todd Tiahrt (KS) introduced HR 3471 to the 110th Congress on September 4, 2007. The Bill, cited as the "Atomic Veterans Medal Act of 2007" is available for viewing from the index on the Welcome page of this site by selecting "US Congressional Support & Legislation".

 

Rep Dennis Moore (KS), Rep Jerry Moran (KS) and Rep Nancy Boyda (KS) 9/4/07

Co-sponsored the "Atomic Veterans Medal Act of 2007". We are appreciative and very proud of these members as they step forward to say "Thank you" to the Atomic Veterans on behalf of all our citizens

 

Additional Co-sponsors: Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (MI) 9/20/07, Rep. Phil English (PA), Rep Steve Kagen (WI), Rep. Bart Stupak (MI) 11/13/07, Rep Frank LoBiondo (NJ), Rep Tim Walberg (MI) 1/28/08, Rep John McHugh (NY) 2/7/08, Rep Adam Smith (WA) 2/7/08 and Rep Shelley Moore Capito (WV) 2/7/08.

Our GOAL is to obtain 100% co-sponsorship in the US House of Representatives. With Kansas fully onboard, we need to support and help them encourage the other 49 delegations to sign on. 

 

Thanks to all

We still have a long way to go but with the continued support of countless thousands of citizens from across the state and country who support this effort, we can achieve our goal of saying Thank You to the Atomic Veterans.

This is our opportunity to obtain for them what has otherwise eluded them for over 62 years.     

 

A lasting legacy, time-honored remembrance and the grateful appreciation of a nation.

Your voice is important. Please call your Representative and Senator and request that they co-sponsor the "Atomic Veterans Medal Act of 2007" HR 3471 in the US House and S 2218 in the US Senate

Return HOME page