H*5047 Session 112 (1997-1998)
H*5047 Resolution, By Barfield
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES AND
ESPECIALLY THOSE MEMBERS AND COMMITTEES CHARGED WITH OVERSEEING MILITARY
PREPAREDNESS TO INVESTIGATE AND ENSURE THAT THE CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL
PROTECTION EQUIPMENT WHICH IS PROVIDED TO UNITED STATES' SERVICE MEMBERS,
WHEREVER THEY MAY BE DEPLOYED, IS THE BEST AND MOST EFFICACIOUS PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT THAT IS REASONABLY AVAILABLE THROUGH CURRENT TECHNOLOGY.
04/15/98 House Introduced HJ-10
04/15/98 House Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
Resolutions HJ-10
04/22/98 House Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
Memorial Resolutions HJ-49
04/23/98 House Adopted HJ-27
COMMITTEE REPORT
April 22, 1998
H. 5047
Introduced by Rep. Barfield
S. Printed 4/22/98--H.
Read the first time April 15, 1998.
THE COMMITTEE ON
INVITATIONS AND MEMORIAL
RESOLUTIONS
To whom was referred a House Resolution (H. 5047), to
memorialize the Congress of the United States and especially those
members and committees charged with overseeing military
preparedness, etc., respectfully
REPORT:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and
recommend that the same do pass:
RICHARD M. QUINN, JR., for Committee.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
AND ESPECIALLY THOSE MEMBERS AND COMMITTEES
CHARGED WITH OVERSEEING MILITARY PREPAREDNESS
TO INVESTIGATE AND ENSURE THAT THE CHEMICAL AND
BIOLOGICAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT WHICH IS
PROVIDED TO UNITED STATES' SERVICE MEMBERS,
WHEREVER THEY MAY BE DEPLOYED, IS THE BEST AND
MOST EFFICACIOUS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT THAT IS
REASONABLY AVAILABLE THROUGH CURRENT
TECHNOLOGY.
Whereas, a number of reputable sources such as the respected Jane's
publication have called into question the durability of the chemical
and biological protective masks provided to the United States' armed
forces and its reserve components; and
Whereas, these sources indicate that the present chemical and
protective masks have a very abbreviated protection time against
chemical and biological agents, which in some cases is as brief as
four minutes; and
Whereas, during the recent 1991 Gulf War, many United States'
service members sustained exposure to chemical and biological
agents of unknown origin, which exposures have caused prolonged
medical consequences for these service members and which illnesses
may be attributed in part to inferior chemical and biological
protective equipment provided these soldiers; and
Whereas, there exists a current domestic threat that such chemical
and biological agents may be used by terrorists within the boundaries
of the United States of America; and
Whereas, the National Guards of the various states are designated to
be the primary agency responding to domestic terrorist incidents
which are likely to include terrorism by use of chemical and
biological agents; and
Whereas, service members, whether deployed in situations of
domestic terrorism or deployed overseas against foreign military
forces, should expect to be provided chemical and biological
protection equipment of the highest order reasonably available
through modern technology. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the House of Representatives memorialize the
Congress of the United States and especially those members and
committees charged with overseeing military preparedness to
investigate and ensure that the chemical and biological protection
equipment which is provided to United States' service members,
wherever they may be deployed, is the best and most efficacious
protective equipment that is reasonably available through current
technology.
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to
the Senate of the United States, the United States House of
Representatives, and each member of the South Carolina
Congressional Delegation.
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