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1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The profound impacts of military toxic exposures
3 on generations of veterans and military families have created
4 the persistent and urgent need for enhanced public awareness
5 and preventative health measures; and
6 WHEREAS, The history of military toxic exposures dates
7 back more than a century, particularly with the use of
8 chemical warfare in World War I; and
9 WHEREAS, Despite reductions in certain chemical agents
10 during World War II, members of the Armed Forces continued to
11 face significant toxic exposures, including hazardous
12 substances from naval vessels and herbicides during the Korean
13 War and Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides during the
14 Vietnam War; and
15 WHEREAS, The impact of toxic exposure is not limited to
16 veterans alone but can also affect their families, including
17 their children with medical conditions potentially related to
18 their parents' service, such as children born with health
19 issues following the Vietnam War; and
20 WHEREAS, The legacy of toxic exposure extends to veterans
21 known as "atomic veterans", who experienced hazardous
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1 radiation exposure, further compounding the health risks
2 associated with service in the Armed Forces; and
3 WHEREAS, Generations of veterans have faced toxic
4 exposures while serving abroad; and
5 WHEREAS, Veterans have encountered other toxic exposures
6 and environmental hazards during service in the Armed Forces,
7 including contaminated drinking water, asbestos,
8 polychlorinated biphenyl, lead, and radiation; and
9 WHEREAS, In 1991, the Vietnam Veterans of America achieved
10 a significant legislative victory when congress passed the
11 Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-4), leading to the
12 recognition of Agent Orange as a presumptive hazard and paving
13 the way for benefits for affected veterans; and
14 WHEREAS, Subsequent conflicts, including the Persian Gulf
15 War, have seen soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines facing
16 similar debilitating health issues due to toxic exposures,
17 reinforcing the need for continued advocacy and research; and
18 WHEREAS, Multiple veterans service organizations,
19 including Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the
20 American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed
21 Veterans of America, the Vietnam Veterans of America, and
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1 others, have worked tirelessly to secure legislative
2 improvements, including studies on the effects of toxic
3 exposure and the passage of the Sergeant First Class Heath
4 Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics
5 Act of 2022 (Public Law 117- 168), also known as the PACT Act;
6 and
7 WHEREAS, The PACT Act expanded eligibility for benefits
8 and health care to veterans of all eras who were exposed to
9 toxic substances; and
10 WHEREAS, The PACT Act established a new, responsive
11 framework so that the Department of Veterans Affairs could
12 more rapidly and transparently make decisions on the
13 presumption of connection to service in the Armed Forces for
14 illnesses and other conditions associated with toxic exposure;
15 and
16 WHEREAS, Burn pits, hazardous particulate matter, Agent
17 Orange, oil well fires, fuel leaks, and other toxic events
18 present in various conflicts have emerged as significant
19 health concerns, necessitating research into their long-term
20 effects on veterans and their families; and
21 WHEREAS, The lessons from toxic exposures guide the work
22 and research of the Department of Defense, the Department of
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1 Veterans Affairs, and Congress; and
2 WHEREAS, The effects of toxic exposure are not only
3 confined to members of the Armed Forces and their family
4 members but also can impact civilian workers and residents of
5 military installations exposed to hazardous materials; and
6 WHEREAS, Continued vigilance is necessary to prevent
7 future incidents of toxic exposure; therefore, be it
8 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
9 HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
10 we declare October 2025 as Military Toxic Exposures Awareness
11 Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further
12 RESOLVED, That we recognize the profound impact toxic
13 exposures have had on veterans, members of the Armed Forces,
14 their families, and their survivors; and be it further
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