[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      LEGISLATION TO MEMORIALIZE VETERANS WHO DONATE THEIR ORGANS

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                           HON. BOB GOODLATTE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 1999

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, several months ago, I was contacted by 
one of my constituents, Mrs. Linnae Hedgebeth of Salem, Virginia. She 
requested that my office intervene on a matter of great importance to 
her family, and others across the country.
  Mrs. Hedgebeth is the widow of Roger Hedgebeth, Sr., a decorated 
World War II veteran and a career civil servant. When Mr. Hedgebeth 
passed away in 1997, he requested that his body be donated to assist in 
medical research, and that his ashes be memorialized at Arlington 
National Cemetery. Following his wishes, his family donated his body to 
science, but unfortunately were not able to give this military hero the 
final recognition that he deserved at Arlington National Cemetery.
  As it stands now, due to various legal concerns, no ashes of 
individuals who donate their bodies to science are returned. And 
unfortunately, current regulations at Arlington National Cemetery 
prohibit memorializing veterans in the Columbarium unless their remains 
are actually inurned there. While I understand that space is limited at 
Arlington, and it is necessary to follow strict guidelines regarding 
burial and memorialization, I cannot accept that an entitled veteran 
can be denied appropriate recognition simply because he has donated his 
remains to further medical research.
  While our nation is blessed with many treasures, none is more 
cherished than the peace we enjoy in our prosperous country. Arlington 
National Cemetery has long been a sanctuary for remembrance to veterans 
who provided and safeguarded that peace. We should not deny any 
eligible veteran that recognition simply because they may choose to 
help others by donating their remains to medical study.
  With that said, Mr. Speaker, I submit this bill which seeks to modify 
current regulations to allow otherwise eligible veterans, who have 
donated their bodies to science, to be memorialized at the Columbarium 
in Arlington National Cemetery, not withstanding the absence of their 
physical remains. I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.

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