Pat Ryan: “I thank Chairman Takano for including in this bill the Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act as a part of this…”

“I thank Chairman Takano for including in this bill the Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act as a part of this comprehensive bill to address toxic exposure in our veteran community. I rise today to discuss my amendment, the Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act, named for Heath Robinson whom I spoke about in this very Chamber just 4 months ago. I stand here humbled to see it come to the floor in a bipartisan effort to finally address this dire problem. Heath deployed to Kosovo in 2004 and Iraq in 2006 and was the Ohio National Guard NCO Soldier of the Year in 2012 and 2013. Being a soldier was Heath's identity. He was proud of his service and humbled to serve overseas defending those he loved. While deployed, Heath was exposed to burn pits in Iraq, and those toxic wounds of war followed Heath home. He was a loving father, husband, and son who, unfortunately and tragically, lost his life on May 6, 2020, at the young age of 39. His story is a sobering one but reminds us why this amendment is needed. In late 2016, Heath began noticing early symptoms starting with fatigue which worsened to chronic, gushing nosebleeds and bleeding from his ears. After a dozen doctors were unable to provide answers, it was finally determined that at the age of 35 he suffered from a rare autoimmune disease.…”