HR17: HR17 Veterans who were victims of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War; commend

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors and recognizes veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange, a toxic herbicide used by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. It cites statistics about Georgia's Vietnam veterans, the scale of Agent Orange spraying, and the diseases and genetic harm linked to the chemical, including cancers and birth defects in veterans' children and grandchildren. The resolution does not create any new law, program, or funding. It formally states that the House recognizes these veterans' sacrifices and directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public. As a resolution rather than a bill, it has no regulatory or budgetary effect.

• Formally recognizes and honors Vietnam War veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during their service.
• States the House's position that these veterans should be honored for their sacrifices, without creating any legal requirement or funding.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public.
• Recites historical and medical background about Agent Orange's use and health effects to support the recognition.

Vietnam War veterans living in Georgia who were exposed to Agent Orange, and by extension their families, including children and grandchildren affected by related health conditions. The resolution also involves the Clerk of the House, who is directed to distribute copies.

While the resolution carries no legal or funding effect, it gives official state recognition to a group of veterans whose Agent Orange related deaths are not counted among Vietnam War fatalities, which the text notes is not otherwise acknowledged.

• The preamble cites that more than 228,000 Georgians served in the Vietnam War, with 1,584 killed and 8,534 wounded, and about 234,000 Vietnam veterans currently live in Georgia.
• Describes Operation Ranch Hand, under which nearly 20 million gallons of Agent Orange were sprayed between 1961 and 1971, exposing 2.6 million American soldiers.
• Lists health effects tied to Agent Orange exposure, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, heart disease, diabetes, and several cancers, plus genetic harm such as spina bifida in veterans' descendants.
• The resolved clause formally honors these veterans as among America's most heroic citizens for their service.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies of the resolution available for public distribution.

1. 2025-01-14House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-01-14House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-14House Hopper (House)

• Shaw Blackmon (R, HD-146)Primary sponsor
• Bethany Ballard (R, HD-147)
• Josh Bonner (R, HD-073)
• Al Williams (D, HD-168)
• Bill Hitchens (R, HD-161)
• Anissa Jones (D, HD-143)

• veterans
• Vietnam War
• Agent Orange
• military health
• commemorative resolution