Introduced By: Representatives Ferguson, Benson, Lanzi, Coderre and Winfield
Date Introduced : March 11, 1998
WHEREAS, Agent Orange is a defoliant, a plant killer, that was used in Vietnam for "territory denial". This was used to kill the jungle canopy that protected the enemy, making it easier to see them; and
WHEREAS, The dioxins, which make the Agent Orange so deadly, are not even an intended part of the plant killer. It is a man-made by-product of the manufacturing process; and
WHEREAS, These dioxins are deadly. However, it is hard to prove because each individual has their own tolerance to it and everyone has a certain background exposure to it. This serves to hide the seriousness of this situation by clouding the exposure levels required to create a symptom; and
WHEREAS, Dioxins multiply the instances of cancer, immune system disorders, liver problems, and other maladies. Tragically, exposure to Agent Orange also multiplies the risk of birth defects in children of those exposed. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is more prevalent in children of Veterans exposed to Agent Orange; and
WHEREAS, In one case, a platoon in Vietnam, that had been in an area heavily sprayed, has had five members out of the 20 affected with dioxin poisoning. That's 500% above the national average!!!; and
WHEREAS, These people endure much suffering including hair falling out in clumps, strange nerve disorders, irritableness, weight loss, palsies, and finally, death; and
WHEREAS, The state of New Jersey has started a program called the "Pointman" project, which establishes an Agent Orange Commission to investigate the effects of Agent Orange; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby proclaims the month of October to be "Agent Orange/Dioxin Awareness" month; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ernie DiRocco, Vietnam Veterans of America, RI State Council.
