HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3577

WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds and determines that a
large number of Vietnam veterans were exposed to Agent Orange and
other possibly debilitating chemical defoliants during their
service in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Dioxin, one of the chemicals present in those
chemical defoliants, is suspected of being carcinogenic and
mutagenic (capable of causing damage to DNA in the cells of
animals and humans exposed to it); and

WHEREAS, The long-term consequences of the use of those
defoliants may include an increase in the number of disabled
veterans in the State and an increase in the number of birth
defects in the children of veterans in the State; and

WHEREAS, It is a legitimate concern of this State to provide
support, information, and, where necessary, counseling services
to these victims; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Governor is urged to establish an Agent Orange Commission to
compile studies on the effects of Agent Orange and other
defoliants on Vietnam veterans, to serve as a central data bank
for the identification of affected persons in Maryland, and to
provide a plan for the coordination of legal, medical,
administrative, and social assistance to these victims; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That the Commission should be composed of 7
members to be appointed by the Governor, at least 4 of whom
should be Vietnam veterans. The Commission should employ an
executive director and support staff as is necessary to
effectuate the purposes of this Commission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission report its findings and
recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor by
December 31, 1987; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be forwarded by the
Department of Legislative Reference to the Honorable Harry
Hughes, Governor of Maryland, the Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin,
Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the Honorable Melvin A.
Steinberg, President of the Senate of Maryland.

Signed May 13, 1986.