(Washington,
D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Committee, yesterday sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates
underscoring the importance of knowing the extent of exposure to radiation to
servicemembers aiding the Japanese people in the aftermath of last week’s
devastating earthquake and tsunami, and the subsequent damage to coastal
nuclear reactors. Chairman Murray’s concern is based on the
military’s track record of failing to monitor exposures, which has impeded
previous generations of veterans from obtaining benefits.
“The
failure of DoD to properly identify and maintain records on exposure impaired
the ability of radiation-exposed servicemembers from World War II and various
test sites to obtain VA benefits,”
Chairman Murray wrote in the letter. “Therefore, I cannot underscore
the importance of monitoring, measuring, and accurately recording any such
incidents.”
The
full text of Senator Murray’s letter follows:
March 15, 2011
The Honorable Robert Gates
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1000
Dear
Secretary Gates:
Our servicemembers are serving with distinction providing critical disaster
response for Japan in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami
that occurred last week.
American Navy officials said early Monday that 17
military personnel who had been aboard three helicopters assisting in the
earthquake relief effort have been exposed to low levels of contamination when
they flew through a plume of radioactive contaminants from a damaged nuclear
power plant. Given the serious health consequences of radiation
and other environmental toxins, it is critical that the Department of Defense
monitor, measure, and accurately record such exposures in servicemembers’
personnel and health records.
During my time on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I have worked to
address the needs of veterans who were exposed to environmental toxins during
their military service. The Committee has found that the failure of DoD
to properly identify and maintain records on exposure impaired the ability of
radiation-exposed servicemembers from World War II and various test sites to
obtain VA benefits. Therefore, I cannot underscore the importance of monitoring,
measuring, and accurately recording any such incidents.
I urge DoD to create a database of U.S. servicemembers supporting the relief
effort in Japan to track data related to exposure to radiation and other
environmental toxins. This information will aid DoD and ultimately VA as
care and benefits are provided to those who suffer ill-effects from any such
exposures.
Providing care for our servicemembers and veterans is a top priority. Careful
surveillance of this issue now will allow VA to provide the best possible care
and benefits to those affected later. I thank you for your
attention to this matter and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Patty Murray
Chairman, Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Committee
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