Jay Rockefeller: “along with Senator Byrd and Senator Specter, I am proud to introduce today the ``Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of…”

“along with Senator Byrd and Senator Specter, I am proud to introduce today the ``Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998.'' This bipartisan legislation establishes a clear framework for the compensation and health care needs of Gulf War veterans. This bill would create a permanent statutory authority for the compensation of ill Gulf War veterans. It builds upon the system of scientific review and determinations for presumptive compensation that currently exists for veterans exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War and builds upon S. 1320, which I introduced last October. The bill we introduce today is an even more comprehensive effort to address the needs of our Nation's Gulf War veterans. Senator Byrd's and Senator Specter's many contributions have served to make this an even stronger bill that will help to expedite the process of scientific review of possible wartime hazards and exposures that may have contributed to illnesses in our Gulf War veterans, which in turn expedites compensation to ill veterans. It will also help ensure health care for these men and women in the years to come, and improves the current program for evaluating the health of families of Gulf War veterans. As Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I have witnessed firsthand the struggles of many of our Nation's Gulf War veterans. The Persian Gulf War will undoubtedly go down in history as one of our country's most decisive military victories.”