Assembly Joint Resolution
No. 46
CHAPTER 165
Relative to veterans.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
September 09, 2014.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AJR 46, Frazier.
Birth anomalies: children of veterans.
This measure would urge the United States Congress to pass, and the United States President to sign into law, Senate Bill 2738 and would encourage the members of the California Congressional Delegation to join as coauthors on the bill.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, Over the years millions have served our great nation in the Armed Forces of the United States. During their service many have been exposed to toxins with unknown consequences. Most of these veterans did not know they were exposed to harmful materials, with many of these veterans suffering from the harmful effects of these toxins; and
WHEREAS, Many children and grandchildren of these veterans were born with both structural and nonstructural defects. Some have been accepted by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a result of the exposures from their parent’s service; and
WHEREAS, Birth anomalies in the children of veterans are not tracked as normal birth defects, so most go unreported, unexplained, and not researched. These anomalies have some similarities but follow mostly unreported and under researched paths; and
WHEREAS, Most states that have birth defect registries do not report to a national registry. Miscarriages and still births are seldom researched for cause, these are not tracked on a national registry. Even death and defects at military hospitals relating to the children of dependents are not tracked or not put into a federal registry; and
WHEREAS, The United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense have been tracking toxic exposures and possible exposures without followup research on the veterans and their offspring; and
WHEREAS, Parents of children with birth defects carry a heavy emotional and financial burden. Veterans that have been exposed to toxins normally have a shorter lifespan than others of their generation. Someone will need to cover costs and care for the children left behind; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 2738 would create a center of excellence to test, study, and find solutions to the illnesses and anomalies affecting the children of veterans from all eras and duty stations. This center would be created within the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs and monitored by committees to ensure transparency. Senate Bill 2738 would also create a database of birth defects and anomalies both structural and nonstructural; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature respectfully urges the United States Congress to pass, and the United States President to sign into law, Senate Bill 2738 and encourages the members of the California Congressional Delegation to join as coauthors on the bill; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States and to the members of the United States Congress.