NO ABUSE Press Release

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From: KERNLHANDY@...

THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF AMERICANS BATTLING UNNECESSARY SERVICEMEMBER

ENDANGERMENT

(NO ABUSE)

PRESS RELEASE, 2-17-00

NO ABUSE is gratified that the House National Security Subcommittee has released

its findings and recommendations today regarding the Department of Defense (DOD)

mandatory anthrax vaccine program. NO ABUSE believes the committee's

recommendation to " enroll all anthrax vaccine recipients in a

comprehensive clinical evaluation and treatment program for long term study " is

especially appropriate. Given the unanswered questions surrounding the

vaccine's safety and reports of hospitalizations and crippling effects, this

clinical study recommendation is also the strongest indictment against the value

of the vaccine.

It is significant that NO ABUSE is officially activated on the same day the

Congressional report is released. This organization represents the commitment

of the relatives and friends of military members, as well as many

concerned citizens, to seek the whole truth about anthrax vaccine issues. NO

ABUSE wants to ensure the Congressional recommendation to suspend the program is

fully implemented.

In that regard, a permit has been obtained to conduct a demonstration on the

grassy area west of the Ellipse, across 17th St NW from Constitution Hall

(Daughters of the American Revolution), in Washington, D. C. on February 21,

2000, from 5-7pm. This rally is meant to send a message to the Secretary of

Defense who is sponsoring an entertainment event in Constitution Hall that same

evening at 7pm -- " A Tribute to the Hero of the Century: the American GI and the

Selfless Service of the Military Family. " The message of military

family members and friends who gather to protest is: Stop risking the health of

our family members and breadwinners with the anthrax vaccine.

The President of NO ABUSE, Redmond H. Handy, is a former Air Force Colonel who

retired in protest of the policy and testified before two Congressional

committees about the vaccine's effects. He established NO ABUSE in conjunction

with hundreds of others concerned that the anthrax vaccine represents another

episode in DOD's legacy of questionable and even harmful medical practices.

" Nearly 80% of military members and their families oppose the mandatory shot

(Army Times Poll), and for good reason, " Redmond said, adding, " We hope the DOD

and the administration now will finally take the initiative to respond to these

concerns in a compassionate and definitive manner by discontinuing the shots. "

NO ABUSE also believes it is imperative that Congress get to the bottom of the

anthrax threat issue, especially considering several recent reports and experts

have cast doubt on whether the administration has dealt with this threat in a

productive and rational manner.