[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          ELIMINATING BURIAL RIGHTS FOR DEATH PENALTY CONVICTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Knollenberg] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation 
that strikes at the very heart of our Nation. It saddens me to rise and 
offer this today, but it is the right thing to do for the veterans of 
our country who have given too much for us.
  The most heinous domestic terrorist act ever committed ripped apart 
the insides of our Nation. I am referring to the Oklahoma City bombing, 
which will always be ingrained in our hearts, our minds, and our souls. 
Yet, after speaking with veterans and military leaders, we have found 
out that the criminal who committed this dastardly act which killed 168 
people, many of whom were innocent children, can receive, I repeat can 
receive, the military honor of burial, the military honor of burial in 
a veterans' cemetery after he receives the death penalty sentence.
  Mr. Speaker, I and several of my colleagues have introduced 
legislation to make sure McVeigh, and other death penalty convicts like 
him, cannot receive the honors that our fallen heroes have deserved and 
have been granted. Our Nation's veterans cemeteries are a sacred 
ground. They are a solemn and sad reminder of the price our Nation has 
had to pay for the freedom that we enjoy every day. While veterans who 
commit certain criminal offenses forfeit their benefits, McVeigh could 
have still received them and received burial at Arlington National 
Cemetery.
  Mr. Speaker, we could not allow that to happen. Too many people whose 
lives were taken in the name of freedom made the ultimate sacrifice for 
us. They are placed in that sacred ground. It is not fitting to allow 
the likes of Timothy McVeigh in their company.
  I ask my colleagues to join my effort and cosponsor my bill, and all 
Members on both sides of the aisle, to eliminate these burial rights 
for death penalty convicts.

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