IAVA Joins Members of Congress in National Press Conference Calling for Action on Burn Pits in Iraq, Afghanistan

CONTACT: Chrissy Stevens (212) 982-9699 or Chrissy@iava.org

MEDIA ADVISORY
Thursday, June 11, 2009

IAVA Joins Members of Congress in National Press Conference Calling for Action on Burn Pits in Iraq, Afghanistan
Washington, DC—Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will join members of Congress, veterans and their families in a press conference to  address the concerns regarding burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The “Military Personnel War Zone Toxic Exposure Act” (H.R.2419), recently introduced by Rep. Tim Bishop (NY-1) and Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (NH-1), would establish a medical registry to help identify servicemembers exposed to toxins, and improve the care and benefits they receive. IAVA supports the bill, which would also limit the military’s use of burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

“In Iraq and Afghanistan, we’ve heard time and again about troops falling ill after serving near burn pits. But toxic exposure in wartime service is not a new issue. Veterans of previous generations struggled for years to have conditions such as Agent Orange and Gulf War Syndrome recognized as service-connected. We cannot repeat this same pattern with Iraq and Afghanistan veterans,” said IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff. “Establishing a medical registry to document health conditions potentially related to burn pits is the first step to getting our veterans proper care. IAVA thanks Representatives Bishop, Shea-Porter and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) for their leadership on this important issue, and urges Congress to move swiftly to pass this legislation.”

What: National Press Conference on legislation to protect troops from burn pits
When: Thursday, Jun 11, 2009 at 11:00 AM EST
Where: House Triangle outside the Capitol Building. Rain plan: 304 Cannon House Office Building.

Speakers:

• Rep. Tim Bishop (NY-1), sponsor of Military Personnel War Zone Toxic Exposure Prevention Act (H.R.2419)
• Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (NH-1), lead cosponsor of H.R.2419
• Tom Tarantino, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
• Dr. Shira Kramer, Epidemiology International, expert on health risks associated with exposure to toxins in burn pits
• Kerry Baker, Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
• Veterans and Family Members

To arrange an interview with Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, Tom Tarantino or a member veteran who served near a burn pit, contact Chrissy Stevens, 212-982-9699, Chrissy@iava.org.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the country's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 125,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.