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.