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IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
December 7, 2001 |
CONTACT:
Peter Dickinson, (202) 225-3664
http://veterans.house.gov
Smith Unveils Legislation To
Reform Burial Rules at Arlington National Cemetery
Bill Would Ensure Access for Retired Reservists, Such as Captain
Burlingame,
and Reservists Killed During Training (Washington, DC) -
Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4), Chairman of the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs has introduced legislation, H.R. 3423 to reform
eligibility rules for burial of reservists at Arlington National
Cemetery. The Smith bill would change existing law by eliminating
the age requirement for retired reservists who would otherwise be
eligible for in-ground burial. In addition, H.R. 3423 would allow
in-ground burial of reservists who die in the line of duty while
on training duty.
Smith's legislation would change the Army rule which is preventing
Captain Charles Burlingame, the pilot of flight 77 which crashed
into the Pentagon on September 11th, from receiving full burial
rights at Arlington.
"Burial at Arlington National Cemetery is an honor that we
bestow upon those members of our armed forces for service above
and beyond the call of duty," said Smith. "While it is
understandable that the Army would want to maintain strict
eligibility rules because of the limited capacity at Arlington,
people like Captain Burlingame should not be prevented from
receiving the nation's highest tribute to the family of a deceased
warrior," he said.
"Furthermore, H.R. 3423 will provide the families of reserve
members who die while performing training duty, such as weekend or
two-week reserve duty, with the right to have an in-ground burial
for their loved ones at Arlington," said Smith. "Given
the increased responsibilities assigned to our Reserve and
National Guard forces, I believe that a compassionate government
should treat these reserve component members whose death is in the
line of duty in the same manner as those active duty members whose
death occurs in the line of duty," he said.
Since 1967, burials rights at Arlington have been limited to
veterans and the families of veterans who were wounded in combat,
died on active duty, received one of the military services'
highest awards for gallantry, were held as a prisoner of war,
retired from military service or served in a high federal office.
Last year, 3,727 veterans and family members were buried at
Arlington National Cemetery, which is administered by the
Department of the Army.
In addition, the Department of Veterans Affairs administers 133
national cemeteries throughout the United States, and since 1980
has provided $82 million in grants to states to establish or
expand 42 state veterans cemeteries. Last year, over 82,000
veterans and family members were interred in VA cemeteries and
more than 14,000 veterans and family members were buried in state
veterans cemeteries.
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Please visit http://veterans.house.gov,
the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs web site, named 'One of
the Best Web Sites in Congress' by the Congressional Management
Foundation, May 3, 1999.
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