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Depleted Uranium State Legislative Initiative

 

MONTAN A

 

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1.      Draft of Legislation to be introduced to the state Senate and House.

 

 

 

 

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A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA URGING TESTING AND HEALTH CARE FOR COMBAT VETERANS EXPOSED TO DEPLETED URANIUM MUNITIONS WHILE SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the United States is manufacturing and using weapons that contain depleted uranium; and

 

     WHEREAS, depleted uranium is Uranium 238, which remains after small amounts of fissionable isotopes are extracted for use in nuclear power plants and conventional nuclear weapons; and

 

     WHEREAS, this depleted uranium continues to be a radioactive emitter of alpha radiation, has a half-life of 4.5 billion years, and damages living tissue that it contacts, causing genetic mutations, cancer, and birth defects, and will continue to do so forever due to its long half-life; and

 

     WHEREAS, 100% of depleted uranium shells and 70% of large-caliber depleted uranium machine gun bullets vaporize on impact, creating a radioactive dust that can be inhaled and ingested, lodging in the body and irradiating tissue; and

 

     WHEREAS, depleted uranium is also a chemical and heavy metal poison, in addition to being an emitter of radiation; and

 

     WHEREAS, service members in the United States armed forces have been and continue to be exposed to these weapons without protection from inhaling and ingesting depleted uranium dust; and

 

     WHEREAS, medical tests now exist that establish exposure to depleted uranium but these tests are not routinely administered to returning service members; and

 

     WHEREAS, returning service members are now required to report any combat-related mental or physical health problems to military medical personnel within 120 days of return from duty.

 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

 

     That the President of the United States and members of the United States Congress be urged to recognize that the exposure of members of the armed forces of the United States to depleted uranium may lead to health problems that take years to manifest and that they be urged, therefore, to provide appropriations and medical services for testing all U.S. armed forces members for exposure to depleted uranium immediately upon their return from locations where these munitions have been used.

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Congress of the United States be urged to provide appropriations and administrative mechanisms to record all positive tests for exposure to depleted uranium.

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Congress of the United States provide appropriations for medical care for the future health problems of veterans who record a positive test for exposure to depleted uranium and for family members who may suffer indirect harm from depleted uranium exposure, such as spouses or children with birth defects caused by depleted uranium or other health problems.

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President of the United States and members of the United States Congress be urged to recognize their moral responsibility to limit future exposure to the damaging effects of depleted uranium by members of the U.S. armed services, civilians, and the natural environment by immediately stopping the manufacture and use of weapons that contain depleted uranium.

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Montana's Congressional Delegation be urged to propose, author, introduce, and ardently support legislation to address the current and future health needs of returning combat veterans who have suffered exposure to depleted uranium and the health needs of their spouses and children who have been indirectly harmed by this exposure.

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this joint resolution be delivered to each member of the United States Congress and the President of the United States so that the requests of the residents of Montana are known.

 

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Last Revised: 03/10/2007

Copyright 2006 by Dan Bishop, All Rights Reserved

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