Sponsored by:
Assemblyman VINCENT MAZZEO
District 2 (Atlantic)
Assemblywoman CLEOPATRA G. TUCKER
District 28 (Essex)
Assemblyman JOHN ARMATO
District 2 (Atlantic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Benson, Wirths, Space, Freiman, Assemblywoman Swain and Assemblyman Tully
SYNOPSIS
Urges US Congress pass “K2 Veterans Care Act of 2021.”
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the United States Congress to pass the “K2 Veterans Care Act of 2021.”
Whereas, A presumption of service connection occurs when the Department of Veterans Affairs presumes a disability is caused by military service in order for a veteran to receive disability compensation; and
Whereas, When a presumption of service connection has not been established, a veteran seeking disability compensation must present specific evidence of the current disability, the occurrence during service, and a link between the claimed condition and military service; and
Whereas, United States Senate Bill No. 454 and House of Representatives Bill No. 1355, “The K2 Veterans Care Act of 2021,” was introduced in the Senate on February 25, 2021, by Senator Richard Blumenthal and the House of Representatives on February 25, 2021, by Representative Stephen F. Lynch in order to provide healthcare and benefits to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan; and
Whereas, As part of the Global War on Terror, the United States stationed service members at the Karshi-Khanabad, commonly called K2, Air Base in Uzbekistan from October 2001 until November 2005; and
Whereas, While serving at K2, service members may have been exposed to jet fuel, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and dust, depleted uranium, asbestos, and lead based paint; and
Whereas, It is thought that these toxins originated from leaks in the Soviet-era underground fuel-distribution system and from the Soviet nuclear missiles at the base; and
Whereas, Service members at K2 were not aware of these exposures, but witnessed such things as “black goo” coming out of the ground and a local pond that glowed green; and
Whereas, The Department of Defense conducted a study of cancer outcomes for individuals who had served at K2 that indicated service members who were stationed at K2 may have a higher risk for certain cancers, and the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs are continuing to conduct follow-up studies while there remains no presumption of service connection for service members who served at K2 and toxic exposure-related illnesses and diseases; and
Whereas, Currently, each claim asserted by a veteran for a disability related to service at K2 is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, this legislation would eliminate the hurdle of proving a nexus between the veteran’s service and their illness or disease by establishing a, presumption of service connection for a veteran who served at K2 and is diagnosed with a toxic exposure-related illness or disease; and
Whereas, Access to hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care would be made available to service members through this legislation; and
Whereas, New Jersey is grateful for the sacrifices that members of the military and their families have made in service to this nation, and recognizes that they have sacrificed their health in service and deserve to be taken care of during and after their service; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges the United States Congress pass S.454 and H.R.1355, the “K2 Veterans Care Act of 2021.”
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority and Minority Leaders in the United States Senate, and every member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the United States Congress to pass the “K2 Veterans Care Act of 2021” in order to allow veterans who were exposed to toxic substances while serving at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan to receive healthcare and benefits.
The United States military stationed service members at K2 from October 2001 to November 2005. While there, service members may have been exposed to jet fuel, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and dust, depleted uranium, asbestos, and lead based paint without their knowledge. These toxic exposures may lead to a higher risk of certain cancers. This legislation would give service members the presumption of service connection for those who served at K2 and have been diagnosed with toxic exposure-related illnesses and diseases and access to hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care. Service members have sacrificed to serve this nation and deserve to receive healthcare and benefits for the hazards they faced during their service.