[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 20 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 20

Authorizing the last surviving United States veteran of the First World 
   War to lie in honor in the rotunda of the Capitol upon his death.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 28, 2009

   Mr. Byrd submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
         referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Authorizing the last surviving United States veteran of the First World 
   War to lie in honor in the rotunda of the Capitol upon his death.

Whereas the veterans of the First World War fought bravely and made heroic 
        sacrifices for the Allied forces;
Whereas the veterans of the First World War suffered the terrors of both trench 
        warfare and the chemical battlefield;
Whereas the veterans of the First World War suffered the scourge of the Spanish 
        influenza pandemic;
Whereas past resolutions have sought authorization for veterans, representative 
        of specific wars, to lie in honor in the rotunda of the Capitol;
Whereas it is the desire of all veterans to honor both those who serve and those 
        who have served in time of war and peace;
Whereas it is the Nation's collective desire to express its gratitude for the 
        sacrifice and service of all First World War veterans; and
Whereas Frank Woodruff Buckles, born February 1, 1901, in Bethany, Missouri, and 
        residing in Jefferson County, West Virginia, at age 108, is believed to 
        be the last surviving United States veteran of the First World War: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring),

SECTION 1. HONORING VETERANS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR.

    (a) In General.--In recognition of the historic contributions of 
United States veterans who served in the First World War, the last 
surviving United States veteran of the First World War shall be 
permitted to lie in honor in the rotunda of the Capitol upon his death, 
so that the citizens of the United States may pay their last respects 
to these great Americans.
    (b) Implementation.--The Architect of the Capitol, under the 
direction and supervision of the President pro tempore of the Senate 
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall take the 
necessary steps to implement subsection (a), including, if necessary, 
scheduling the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for the purposes 
described in such subsection at such a time as such use will not 
coincide with the use of the Capitol for an Inauguration or a State of 
the Union address.
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