Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH PENNACCHIO
District 26 (Essex, Morris and Passaic)
Senator JOSEPH P. CRYAN
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Designates July 16 of each year as “Atomic Veterans Day” in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating July 16 of each year as “Atomic Veterans Day” in New Jersey.
Whereas, July 16 is the anniversary of “Trinity,” the first detonation of an atomic weapon, which took place at Alamogordo Air Force Base in New Mexico on July 16, 1945; and
Whereas, Atomic Veterans are American military service members who participated in nuclear tests of atomic weapons between 1945 and 1962, served with United States military forces in or around Hiroshima and Nagasaki through mid-1946, or were held as prisoners of war in or near Hiroshima or Nagasaki; and
Whereas, Approximately 250,000 veterans of the United States, including residents of New Jersey, witnessed and participated in at least 235 atmospheric nuclear weapons tests; and
Whereas, Many Atomic Veterans were prevented by secrecy laws or oaths from seeking medical care or disability compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for conditions they may have developed as a result of radiation exposure; and
Whereas, The National Association of Atomic Veterans was formed in 1979 to help Atomic Veterans obtain medical care and assistance; and
Whereas, In 1996, the United States Congress repealed the Nuclear Radiation and Secrecy Agreements Act, freeing Atomic Veterans to describe their military involvement in nuclear testing and to file for VA benefits; and
Whereas, Although Congress repealed the Nuclear Radiation and Secrecy Agreements Act, thousands of Atomic Veterans had already died, their families never knowing the true extent of their service; and
Whereas, Atomic Veterans patriotically served this country, meeting the needs of national defense during a critical period in history; and
Whereas, This State designates July 16 of each year as Atomic Veterans Day to honor the important role Atomic Veterans played in the defense of our Nation; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. July 16 of each year is designated as “Atomic Veterans Day” in the State of New Jersey to honor the important role Atomic Veterans played in the defense of our Nation.
b. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe “Atomic Veterans Day” with appropriate activities and programs.
2. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates July 16 of each year as “Atomic Veterans Day” in New Jersey.
Atomic Veterans are American military service members who participated in nuclear tests of atomic weapons between 1945 and 1962. They served with United States military forces in or around Hiroshima and Nagasaki through mid-1946, or were held as prisoners of war in or near Hiroshima or Nagasaki. Approximately 250,000 veterans of the United States, including residents of New Jersey, witnessed and participated in at least 235 atmospheric nuclear weapons tests.
Many Atomic Veterans were prevented by secrecy laws or oaths from seeking medical care or disability compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for conditions they may have developed as a result of radiation exposure. In 1996, the United States Congress repealed the Nuclear Radiation and Secrecy Agreements Act, freeing Atomic Veterans to describe their military involvement in nuclear testing and to file for VA benefits.
Atomic Veterans patriotically served this country, meeting the needs of national defense during a critical period in history. This State designates July 16 of each year as Atomic Veterans Day to honor the important role Atomic Veterans played in the defense of our Nation.