Bill Text: IL HR0155 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urges the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs to study the effects of depleted uranium exposure on servicemembers and veterans.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2015-03-24 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit [HR0155 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-HR0155-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Depleted uranium is the matter left over when most
of the highly radioactive types of uranium are removed for use
as nuclear fuel or nuclear weapons; and
WHEREAS, The United States Military uses tank armor and
some bullets made with depleted uranium to penetrate enemy
armored vehicles; and
WHEREAS, The manufacturing of enriched uranium from
natural uranium used in reactors or weapons leaves behind
"depleted" uranium; and
WHEREAS, Depleted uranium has 40% less radioactivity, but
the exact same chemical toxicity as natural uranium; and
WHEREAS, When a projectile containing depleted uranium
penetrates a vehicle, small pieces of the uranium can become
embedded in muscle and soft tissue; and
WHEREAS, Servicemembers exposed to depleted uranium may
have also inhaled or swallowed small airborne particles of
depleted uranium; and
WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of

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Veterans Affairs, some veterans of the Gulf War, Operation
Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New
Dawn may have been exposed to depleted uranium as a result of
being in or near a vehicle that was hit by friendly fire,
entering or being near burning vehicles, being near fires
involving depleted uranium munitions, or from salvaging
damaged vehicles; and
WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs, no health problems associated with depleted
uranium exposure have been found in veterans exposed to it; and
WHEREAS, Many servicemembers who believed they were
exposed to depleted uranium have gone overseas for a more
sophisticated urine test to detect for exposure; and
WHEREAS, Pfc. Aaron Barnes of Fulton County served in Iraq
for 26 months and became ill a year after his 2nd deployment;
and
WHEREAS, Tests were performed which showed a large mass on
his kidney; he told doctors at the Iowa City VA Hospital that
he believed it was a result of exposure to depleted uranium
during his deployments in Iraq; after being told that the mass
was not a result of depleted uranium exposure, he was sent home
without a biopsy or additional testing; after having the mass

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removed from his kidney, a biopsy showed a rare cancer had
developed; and
WHEREAS, Pfc. Barnes began chemotherapy treatment
following the removal of the mass from his kidney; he passed
away on August 24, 2011, leaving behind his wife, Mandy, and 2
children, Emma and David; and
WHEREAS, Servicemembers who believe they were exposed to
depleted uranium have had a difficult time in the VA system
while being tested and treated for exposure; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
urge the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois
Department of Veterans' Affairs to thoroughly study the effects
of depleted uranium exposure on Illinois servicemembers and
veterans; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
presented to the Director of the Illinois Department of Public
Health and the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans'
Affairs.