What a difference a day makes!
An amazing and important action was taken in Connecticut -
The Connecticut House of Representatives passed HB 6008 yesterday.
The vote was unanimous - 144 yea to 0 nay!
Just as exciting - seven additional members of the Veterans' Affairs Committee signed on to this bill as cosponsors, including two Republican representatives.
This was a truly nonpartisan action.
HB 6008 is a groundbreaking piece of legislation. It says that the Adjutant General of Connecticut will provide returning National Guard service members with adequate testing for exposure to depleted uranium under Army regulations. It calls for the formation of a task force to study the health effects of exposure to hazardous materials including, but not limited to, depleted uranium; to develop a plan for outreach and follow-up of military personnel; and prepare a report concerning potential exposures to depleted uranium and other toxic chemical substances and the precautions recommended under combat and noncombat conditions while in a combat zone; and make any other recommendations the task force considers appropriate.
The Connecticut National Guard is the only service group that the Connecticut Legislature has jurisdiction over.
Details of the law can be found at
www.cga.ct.gov/2005/amd/h/2005HB-06008-R00HA-AMD.htm
Kudos to Representative Roger Michele, who overcame petty politics and political bickering: He constructed a creative solution that allowed the legislators to cross party lines, drop feuds, and respond to the issue in the manner it warranted.
Admiring mention goes to Representative Kalinowski of the 100th District, who crossed party lines to speak out in favor of the bill and who signed on as cosponsor. The combined efforts of Rep. Michele and Rep. Kalinowski led to cross-partisan compromise and extensive support of the bill, allowing it to pass into law without debate.
The following representatives joined the originator of the bill, Representative Pat Dillon, to cosponsor the legislation: Representatives Wilber, Graziani, Boukus, Sayers, Bielawa, and Adinolfi.
And finally, thanks to Speaker Amann for letting the House vote on this bill.
The Louisiana House passed a version of this law on May 19. New Hampshire, New York, Minnesota, Montana, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Texas are researching or are submitting similar bills for consideration.
Here in Connecticut, I believe that voters who called or wrote their legislators or Speaker Amann to urge this law through committee and onto the floor for a vote MADE A DIFFERENCE and helped this law be passed.
Yesterday a rare thing happened - Legislators listened to the needs of their constituents and rose to the occasion.