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TO DECLARE JULY 16, 2017, AS ATOMIC VETERANS DAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, throughout the history of this great State and nation, brave South Carolinians, answering the call of duty and service, have defended our freedoms as members of the United States Armed Forces; and
Whereas, more than two hundred thousand American service members, including South Carolinians, participated in aboveground nuclear tests between 1945 and 1962, served with the United States military occupation forces in or around Hiroshima and Nagasaki before 1946, or were held as prisoners of war in or near Hiroshima or Nagasaki; and
Whereas, with the aid of American service members, the United States conducted the Trinity nuclear test, the world's first detonation of a nuclear device, in New Mexico on July 16, 1945, as a result of the Manhattan Project; and
Whereas, all these atomic veterans may have been exposed to radiation during their military service and, due to that exposure, may have developed cancer or other medical conditions; and
Whereas, many atomic veterans were prevented by secrecy laws or oaths from seeking medical care or disability compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for conditions they may have developed as a result of radiation exposure; and
Whereas, in 1996, the United States Congress repealed the Nuclear Radiation and Secrecy Agreements Act, thus freeing atomic veterans to describe their military involvement in nuclear testing in order to file for VA benefits; and
Whereas, atomic veterans may be eligible for free medical care from the VA and compensation in the form of a partial or full service-connected disability allowance, including potential payments to a surviving spouse or children; and
Whereas, the National Association of Atomic Veterans was formed in 1979 to help atomic veterans obtain medical care and assistance; and
Whereas, it is altogether fitting and proper that atomic veterans be recognized for their service and sacrifice. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, declare July 16, 2017, as Atomic Veterans Day in South Carolina.
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be presented to Tom Botchie, president of the South Carolina Atomic Veterans Association, and Kenneth Swain, atomic veteran and advocate for atomic veterans.
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