By Bob Katzen

The Committee on Transportation held a hearing on legislation that would create a special Agent Orange license plate that would be made available, at no cost, to car owners who served in Vietnam and have suffered from exposure to Agent Orange. The plate would bear the Orange Star distinctive emblem that identifies Vietnam veterans exposed to the agent.

Meanwhile, the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held a hearing on legislation that would establish August 10th as Agent Orange Awareness Day.

Both bills were co-sponsored by Reps. Jim Hawkins (D-Attleboro) and Kelly Pease (R-Westfield).

Supporters said that Agent Orange was widely used in Vietnam by the United States Armed Forces as part of the herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, from 1961 until 1971. They noted that nearly 20 million gallons of the orange powder were sprayed over the land from helicopters or low-flying aircraft, destroying vegetation and crops to deprive enemy guerrillas of food and cover for their activities. Supporters noted that at the same time, this exposed 2.6 million American soldiers to the herbicide and defoliant chemical, which causes a number of serious illnesses, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, ischemic heart disease, soft tissue sarcoma, amyloidosis, diabetes and cancers of the throat, prostate, lung and colon.

Pease said he co-sponsored these two bills to recognize the lasting sacrifices made by Vietnam War veterans and their families. “These bills ensure continued awareness of the health impacts of Agent Orange exposure while paying tribute to the courage and service of those who endured it. It’s important that Massachusetts never forgets the cost of their service and continues to support those still living with its consequences.”

“We filed [those bills] since there are still so many Vietnam veterans around who are still suffering from the severe health consequences of exposure to Agent Orange and to honor their service and sacrifice,” said Hawkins.