WASHINGTON, Apr. 13 /PRNewswire/ --

WASHINGTON, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and 16 other national veterans service organizations today called on the Senate Judiciary Committee to take the first step towards fixing the nation's broken asbestos litigation system by adopting no-fault victims' compensation fund legislation.

"The compensation fund approach is the only solution that will provide veterans suffering from asbestos-related illnesses with fair and certain compensation," the groups said in their letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which came as Senator Arlen Specter, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee members, was reportedly circulating a draft version of an asbestos victims' compensation fund bill.

The VFW was joined by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Blinded Veterans Association, Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc., Women in Military Service for America, Non Commissioned Officers Association, National Association for Uniformed Services, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans of the United States, Fleet Reserve Association, The Retired Enlisted Association, National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Military Officers Association of America, Marine Corps League, American Ex- Prisoners of War, National Association for Black Veterans, Inc., and the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

Asbestos was used widely by the military during and after World War II and many veterans were exposed to this deadly substance. Veterans with asbestos- related illnesses are in a unique situation because they have virtually no avenue for compensation under the current system. Sick veterans are prevented by law from seeking compensation from the U.S. government through the courts.

"Since most of the companies that supplied the U.S. military with asbestos are long gone, seeking relief from the suppliers is also a dead end," the groups said.

A victims' trust fund is the only solution that will ensure that veterans receive the compensation they deserve, quickly and fairly, the groups said in their letter to the Senators. They also pointed out that the medical criteria bill approach, favored by some opponents of the victims' compensation fund approach, would do "little, if anything to provide certainty for victims."

The veterans organizations signing the letter urged Senators not to let special interests hijack veterans' only chance to receive the just compensation for their asbestos-related illnesses.

A copy of the letter follows below: April 13, 2005 Dear Senator:

We are writing today to implore you not to forget about our nation's veterans as you continue your important work of fixing the broken asbestos litigation system. A lot has been written on this issue in the media recently. Yesterday, Senator Arlen Specter said he expects to formally introduce an asbestos victims compensation fund bill later this week. Even before Specter's announcement, some had raised questions about whether an asbestos victims compensation fund is the best solution to the asbestos crisis.

But the critics often overlook one crucial element: what is best for asbestos victims?

Clearly, the most important outcome for victims, many of whom are veterans dying as a result of asbestos exposure, is a system that provides timely, fair and certain compensation.

We believe the compensation fund approach is the only solution that will provide veterans suffering from asbestos-related illnesses with fair and certain compensation.

Asbestos has taken a heavy toll on our nation's veterans. This dangerous substance was widely used by the military during and after World War II, particularly in insulation aboard U.S. Navy ships. Because of the long latency periods of asbestos-related diseases, many veterans are still being diagnosed today with life-threatening diseases that are the result of exposure that occurred during military service decades ago.

Veterans are in a unique situation in that we have virtually no avenue for compensation under the current system. Veterans with asbestos-related illnesses are prevented by law from seeking compensation from the U.S. government through the courts. Since most of the companies that supplied the U.S. military with asbestos are long gone, seeking relief from the suppliers is also a dead end.

Some have suggested that a medical criteria bill might provide a better solution to the asbestos problem. A medical criteria bill, however, will do little, if anything, to provide certainty for victims. And because it leaves asbestos claims in the courts, the medical criteria bill certainly wouldn't benefit veterans who are sick from asbestos. Under a medical criteria bill, the asbestos litigation system will remain unchanged for veterans.

The Senate Judiciary Committee shouldn't let special interests hijack veterans' only chance to receive the just compensation they deserve.

We urge the Senate Judiciary Committee to approve the asbestos victims' compensation fund as quickly as possible and bring this critically important legislation to the floor. Our nation's veterans deserve fair compensation -- and nothing less.

Sincerely, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Military Order of the Purple Heart Blinded Veterans Association Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. Women in Military Service for America Non Commissioned Officers Association National Association for Uniformed Services Paralyzed Veterans of America Jewish War Veterans of the United States Fleet Reserve Association The Retired Enlisted Association National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs Military Officers Association of America Marine Corps League American Ex-Prisoners of War National Association for Black Veterans, Inc. Pearl Harbor Survivors Association