Political Quotes

“Veterans are disproportionately affected by diseases caused by asbestos, and although veterans represent only 8 percent of the Nation's population, they comprise almost one-third of all known mesothelioma deaths that have occurred in this country. Mesothelioma has an uncommonly long period of latency of 20 to 30 years, which means that veterans exposed to asbestos who retired from Active Duty decades ago are getting sick today. Hundreds of Navy ships and military installations dating back to World War II were constructed with asbestos flooring, flooring tiles, ceiling tiles, and wall insulation. That means that hundreds of thousands of workers and sailors were unknowingly exposed to dangerous asbestos levels, and as a result many of those men and women contracted asbestos-related diseases. J. Patrick Little, the national commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, wrote to House leadership in direct opposition of this bill. He said: ``The FACT Act adds insult to injury for veterans and their families at a time when they are suffering from the devastating effects of asbestos exposure.'' The FACT Act must be amended to protect veterans who were exposed to those dangerous minerals while serving their country.…”