SYRACUSE, NY – Joined by a number of Vietnam veterans and local veterans outreach groups today at the Onondaga County War Memorial, U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) announced legislation that he will introduce in the U.S. House of Representatives creating a task force to explore ways to help provide care and compensation for veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange.
The Lawrence J. Hackett Jr. Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Fairness Act is legislation named in honor of Vietnam Veteran and Central New York native, Sergeant Lawrence Hackett, who lost his battle with cancer from Agent Orange exposure in 2006. Katko was joined today in announcing the legislation by Hackett’s wife, Alice, as well as family friend, Onondaga County Court Judge Joseph Fahey.
“Our veterans have put their lives on the line to defend our freedom and our democracy,” said U.S. Rep. John Katko. “But hundreds of our nation’s veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange have lost their lives or suffer today from its unintended side effects. Veterans like Larry Hackett, and their families, deserve to be adequately compensated for their exposure to this chemical.”
Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant used during the Korean and Vietnam wars, has left a large number of veterans who served in these wars with life-threatening diseases and cancers, including Hodgkin’s Disease, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Parkinson’s Disease, lung and skin cancers, and Chronic B-cell Leukemia. There is also increasing evidence that many of the children and grandchildren of these veterans suffer from Spina Bifida, birth defects, and other illnesses. While many of our nation’s veterans and their families have been greatly impacted by these diseases, many currently do not qualify for the presumption of coverage and lack the necessary benefits to compensate for their service.
“This legislation creates a task force to assess the impact of this toxic chemical on our veteran’s population, and will help ensure that the VA takes greater responsibility for the deadly consequences of exposure to Agent Orange,” continued Katko. “This bill honors the life and legacy of the late Larry Hackett, and will hopefully help the veterans and their families who currently suffer.”
The task force established by Katko’s legislation would require the VA to conduct a comprehensive review and make recommendations about care and compensation based on exposure for veterans and their families. It forms a national outreach campaign to educate veterans on the medical risks associated with Agent Orange exposure.
“I will continue to work to raise awareness on the impact Agent Orange has had on veterans in our community, and across our nation,” concluded Katko. “I remain committed to recognizing Central New York’s service members and veterans for their service and ensuring that they receive the best possible care.”
This legislation was previously introduced during the 113th Congress by former Rep. Dan Maffei.
Representative Katko was joined today in announcing this legislation by representatives from Clear Path for Veterans, Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the Vietnam Veterans of America Central New York Chapter, and the Marine Corps League.
Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and a portion of Oswego County. For more information, please visit https://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko.
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