On the recordMay 15, 2019
Yesterday the House passed H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. This long overdue legislation would finally provide disability benefits to veterans who served in the territorial seas surrounding Vietnam during the Vietnam war and were exposed to Agent Orange. This change is long overdue but, sadly, thousands of brave Vietnam veterans have already suffered the consequences of Agent Orange-related illnesses. A longtime resident of Media, Pennsylvania, John Bury, was a 22-year veteran of the Navy and a legendary advocate for sailors sickened by Agent Orange. He, himself, survived cancer six times related to Agent Orange, and knew firsthand the challenges of navigating the VA due to his service being on ships, rather than land. John passed away in late 2016, but his memory and service will live on. Sailors like John are heroes and deserve to be treated as such by the VA. I urge the Senate to quickly take up this legislation and send it to the President's desk so that thousands of others like John can get the care they deserve. ____________________
