To direct the Secretary of Defense to present a ribbon of appropriate design to all persons who, while a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in a test of atomic weapons.

March 20, 2003

Mr. PAUL introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

To direct the Secretary of Defense to present a ribbon of appropriate design to all persons who, while a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in a test of atomic weapons.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Atomic Test Veterans Recognition Act'.

SEC. 2. ATOMIC TESTING RECOGNITION RIBBON.

(a) DESIGN OF RIBBON- The Secretary of Defense shall design and produce a ribbon, to be known as the `Atomic Testing Recognition Ribbon', to honor all military veterans who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of atomic weapons tests conducted by the United States between 1945 and 1963.

(b) DISTRIBUTION OF RIBBON- The Secretary of Defense shall issue the Atomic Testing Recognition Ribbon to each person who, while a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, was exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of atomic weapons testing conducted by the United States between 1945 and 1963. In the case of any such person who is deceased, the ribbon shall be issued to the next-of-kin of such person

END