gGovernor's Advisory Board for Veterans Affairs


S.F. No. 3790, as introduced - 85th Legislative Session (2007-2008) Posted on Mar 18, 2008
1.1A resolution
1.2memorializing Congress; requesting Congress to acknowledge that the neurological
1.3disorder known as Parkinson's disease can be caused by exposure to Agent Orange
1.4and to require that the United States Department of Veterans Affairs offer assistance
1.5to United States military members who, while serving their country, have acquired
1.6Parkinson's disease through their exposure to Agent Orange.
1.7WHEREAS, Agent Orange was an herbicide used in Vietnam to kill unwanted plants and
1.8to remove leaves from trees that otherwise provided cover for the enemy. After its use, it was
1.9realized that Agent Orange contained dioxin, which is related to a number of diseases, cancers,
1.10and other disorders. Many United States veterans are known to have been exposed to significant
1.11amounts of Agent Orange while fulfilling their military obligations; and
1.12WHEREAS, as required by law, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
1.13recognizes many diseases as being associated with Agent Orange, including chloracne, acute
1.14peripheral neuropathy, and numerous cancers such as Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, and
1.15prostate cancer. Veterans who served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and
1.16who acquire one of the recognized diseases are entitled to VA-furnished hospital care, medical
1.17services, and possibly nursing home care; and
1.18WHEREAS, several studies performed at internationally recognized research institutions,
1.19including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, have linked Parkinson's disease to Agent Orange
1.20and other pesticides. Research work at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital linked genetic
1.21alterations associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's disease to pesticide exposures; and
1.22WHEREAS, the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Winston-Salem, North
1.23Carolina, has determined in two cases that the Parkinson's disease of veterans could have been
1.24caused by their contact with Agent Orange while on active military duty; NOW, THEREFORE,
2.1BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota that Congress should
2.2speedily enact legislation to acknowledge that the neurological disorder known as Parkinson's
2.3disease can be caused by exposure to Agent Orange and to require that the United States
2.4Department of Veterans Affairs offer assistance to United States military members who, while
2.5serving their country, have acquired Parkinson's disease through their exposure to Agent Orange;
2.6and
2.7BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is
2.8directed to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President and the Secretary of
2.9the United States Senate, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives,
2.10the members of the Minnesota congressional delegation, and the Secretary of the United States
2.11Department of Veterans Affairs.


'ADAPT,IMPROVISE,OVERCOME'