Persian Gulf Veterans Act in the

Fiscal Year 1999 Omnibus Appropriations Bill

The U.S. Congress has approved and the President has signed into law language that I added to the omnibus appropiations bill that is based on the Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998. Like that piece of legislation, the language I was able to attach to the omnibus appropriations package means that the government will begin to honor its commitment to Persian Gulf veterans and provide them with the medical care and benefits that they have earned. We have seen too many reports of the men and women who served in the Persian Gulf who are now suffering from debilitating health problems.

Our veterans physical pain has been compounded by the emotional stress caused by the government's refusal to acknowledge their medical problems. These veterans deserve medical care for the illnesses that they contracted as a result of their service in the Gulf. We should learn from our mistakes in treating Vietnam veterans and not delay medical treatment for our veterans for another twenty years. We cannot deny these veterans their just due.

PHOTO: During a news conference at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, Greg Smith, president and founder of the West Virginia Gulf War Veterans Association, thanked Senator Byrd for his work to ensure that Gulf War veterans receive treatment for many of the illnesses they contracted during the war with Iraq.

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