March 30, 1998

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Dear Colleague:

Last week, Chris Smith (R-NJ) and I introduced a bi-partisan resolution (H.Con.Res. 249) which expresses the Sense of Congress that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should receive significant amounts from any tobacco settlement approved by Congress. I invite you to join us in co-sponsoring this timely and important resolution. H.Con.Res. 249 is supported by major veterans groups, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), the Fleet Reserve Association, the Blinded Veterans Association, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

If anybody deserves to be protected under the terms of a tobacco settlement approved by Congress, it is our nation’s veterans, many of whom became addicted to nicotine while in service to our nation. While the Administration’s Fiscal Year 1999 (FY 99) budget assumes the federal government will collect over $65 billion in proceeds during the next five years from a tobacco settlement, not one cent of this settlement is directly earmarked for the VA. This year alone, the VA expects to spend an estimated $4 billion providing health care to veterans suffering from tobacco-related illnesses.

For decades, tobacco companies and the federal government have facilitated and encouraged cigarette smoking in the military. "Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em" and the "the smoking lamp is now lit" have been core elements of the military culture for years. From the time of the Civil War until 1956, the Army was required by law to provide a cheap and nearly endless supply of tobacco to its personnel. The Air Force has a similar law on the books today. Tobacco products are still being sold by military exchanges at substantially discounted prices, which naturally encourages tobacco use by military personnel and their dependents.

As many as 75 percent of our World War II veterans began smoking as young adults during their military service. Cigarettes have been distributed free of charge to members of the Armed Forces as part of their so-called "C-rations." Labeling requirements warning of the dangers of nicotine and tobacco use did not become mandatory for products distributed through the military system until 1970, five years after this labeling was required for the civilian market.

Any congressionally approved tobacco settlement must provide substantial resources to meet the needs of veterans suffering from tobacco-related illnesses. By sponsoring House Concurrent Resolution 249, you will help send the message that Congress will not leave our veterans behind. To become a co-sponsor of this important resolution, please call Debbie Smith of my Committee staff at 5-9756.

Sincerely,

LANE EVANS
Ranking Democratic Member
Committee on Veterans Affairs