Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/26/2024 01:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR8 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HCR 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HCR 8-HONORING VIETNAM WAR VETERANS
1:47:28 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR announced the consideration of HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION NO. 8 Honoring United States military veterans
exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War; and expressing
gratitude for the courageous service of those veterans to the
United States.
This is the first hearing of HCR 8 in the Senate Community and
Regional Affairs Committee. The intention is to hear invited and
public testimony and hold the resolution in committee for
further consideration.
1:47:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LADDIE SHAW, District 9, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of HCR 8 stated that he is
not a recipient of a Purple Heart nor personally affected by
Agent Orange but served with those who were. He emphasized the
tragedy caused by Agent Orange, which affected over 2 million
Vietnam veterans. He served in South Vietnam in 1970-71, during
the peak use of Agent Orange, which was deployed to defoliate
jungles, poison rivers, and destroy crops, causing long-term
harm to veterans and the environment. He estimated that 300,000
veterans of his generation have died from Agent Orange exposure.
1:49:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW explained that Vietnam veterans never
received formal recognition for the harm caused by Agent Orange.
He compared the $180 million settlement for 2.5 million veterans
impacted by Agent Orange to the $10 billion settlement for
125,000 Roundup victims, despite the similarity of the two
chemicals as herbicides. He recounted a 2005 visit to Vietnam,
where he observed ongoing physical, emotional, and mental
effects from Agent Orange at Friendship Village, a clinic for
North Vietnamese veterans. He described the experience as heart-
wrenching, noting that birth defects, cancer, and environmental
destruction persist 35 years later. He expressed gratitude to
Senators Dunbar and Bjorkman for co-sponsoring the resolution
and urged for recognition of the suffering endured by Vietnam
veterans and their families.
1:52:23 PM
BUDDY WHITT, Staff, Representative Laddie Shaw, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided background on the
introduction of HCR 8 noting that the Orange Heart Medal
Foundation, a nonprofit advocating for recognition of Vietnam
veterans affected by Agent Orange, approached Representative
Shaw's office. He confirmed the legitimacy of the foundation,
highlighting that it operates with volunteer support, minimal
cash carryover, and no paid employees, consisting mostly of
veterans, spouses, and family members impacted by Agent Orange
exposure.
1:53:55 PM
MR. WHITT outlined the key points of HCR 9, which seeks to
formally recognize Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. The
resolution acknowledges their service, the widespread use of
Agent Orange, and the exposure of approximately 2.6 million U.S.
soldiers. It highlights the known health impacts recognized by
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and addresses the ongoing
lack of formal recognition from the federal government. The
resolution expresses gratitude for veterans' sacrifices, calls
for continued recognition of their heroism, and commits to
ensuring future generations remember the historic impact of
Agent Orange exposure. He affirmed that all figures and
references in the resolution were verified and offered to take
questions or defer to Ms. Spence from the Orange Heart Medal
Foundation for additional context.
1:55:46 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL asked if HCR 8 specifies a recipient to whom the
resolution will be sent.
1:56:02 PM
MR. WHITT explained that HCR 8 is a state resolution reflecting
the will of the legislature and does not get sent to Washington,
D.C., or the federal government. Once signed by the governor, it
serves as a statewide recognition. The resolution aims to
support the Orange Heart Medal Foundation in reaching out to
veterans and their families to inform them about the
availability of the Orange Heart Medal, while also affirming the
legislature's recognition of Vietnam veterans affected by Agent
Orange.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked if the Orange Heart Medal Foundation would
receive the resolution.
MR. WHITT replied that the foundation would receive a copy. He
said Alaska would be the ninth state to pass the resolution.
1:57:19 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR announced invited testimony on HCR 8.
1:57:59 PM
At ease.
2:06:43 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting.
2:06:56 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR invited Ms. Spence to put her name on the record
and begin her testimony.
2:07:03 PM
ROBIN SPENCE, Representative, North Carolina Orange Heart Medal
Foundation, Hookerton, North Carolina, gave invited testimony in
support of HCR 8. She thanked the committee for the opportunity
to speak on behalf of the Orange Heart Medal Foundation. She
explained that the foundation was established in 2018 by Navy
Vietnam veteran Ken Gamble, who was inspired to act after
witnessing a fellow veteran suffering alone in a VA facility.
Frustrated by the lack of support, Gamble designed the Orange
Heart Medal using the specifications of the Purple Heart, to
recognize Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. He viewed
these veterans as combat-wounded due to their exposure to the
toxic chemical and the resulting health effects.
2:10:34 PM
MS. SPENCE recounted how Mr. Gamble sought federal recognition
for the medal by addressing 100 U.S. senators, but his efforts
were rejected. Undeterred, he returned to Tennessee, where he
and State Representative Sabi Kumar drafted legislation
recognizing Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange as combat-
wounded. Tennessee became the first state to recognize the
Orange Heart Medal in 2019. Since then, 11 states have adopted
similar legislation.
2:12:00 PM
MS. SPENCE, a surviving spouse of a Vietnam veteran who died
from Agent Orange-related illness in 2018, emphasized the
emotional toll on widows and families as they watched loved ones
suffer without recognition. She explained that many feel their
loved one was forgotten.
MS. SPENCE stated that the mission of the Orange Heart Medal
Foundation is to ensure no veteran or family feels forgotten.
She emphasized the generational impact of Agent Orange exposure,
noting that research from Vanderbilt University indicates that
altered DNA from exposure can affect up to the fourth generation
in male veterans and the fifth generation in female veterans.
She highlighted the seriousness of this issue and the importance
of proper recognition for future generations. She said the
foundation will work tirelessly and efficiently to ensure
Vietnam veterans are represented and urged Alaska to pass HCR 8.
2:14:45 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on HCR 8; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
CHAIR DUNBAR noted that both Mr. Whitt and Ms. Spence mentioned
recognizing or legitimizing the Orange Heart Medal but observed
that this language does not appear in the resolution. He asked
if formal recognition of the medal is included in the resolution
or if it is intended to be addressed at a later date.
2:15:28 PM
MR. WHITT stated that the Orange Heart Medal is not mentioned in
HCR 8, which is consistent with most states that have passed
resolutions. He explained that the decision to draft a
resolution instead of a bill recognizing the medal was
intentional, as a bill could trigger longer discussions on the
federal level, potential fiscal impacts, and codification
requirements. The preferred approach of both the bill sponsor
and the foundation is to use a resolution. He noted that efforts
are ongoing at the federal level, and the hope is that
widespread support from multiple states could prompt federal
action. The current goal is to pass the resolution to formally
recognize Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange as a
baseline, with the possibility of pursuing further developments
in the future.
2:16:54 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL stated that the 117th Congress (2021 - 2022) did
not pass House Resolution 4982 (Agent Orange Service Medal Act).
MR. WHITT replied that is correct and there is no federally
recognized metal for those exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam.
2:18:09 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR held HCR 8 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HCR 8 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SCRA 3/26/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HCR 8 |
| HCR 8 Version B.pdf |
SCRA 3/26/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HCR 8 |