[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS FOR BURIAL IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL 
                                CEMETERY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2001

  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3423, 
which extends burial eligibility at Arlington National Cemetery to 
those reservists who retire before age 60--the age at which they become 
eligible for retired pay.
  H.R. 3423 also makes eligible for in-ground burial at Arlington a 
member of a reserve component who dies in the line of duty while on 
active or inactive duty training. To me as a layperson, active duty for 
training and inactive duty training is a distinction without a 
difference.
  Either way, a life was given to protect the freedoms of all the rest 
of us.
  Earlier this year, a military plane crashed in Georgia. On board were 
Guardsmen returning home from active duty for training. All on board 
died. Yet none was eligible for burial at Arlington because they were 
on training status as opposed to mobilized status.
  Their military classification at the time of death made no difference 
to the widows and children left without a husband and father. The fact 
of the matter is that these soldiers died in the line of duty.
  Madam Speaker, this bill is yet another testament to Chairman Smith's 
commitment to our servicemembers, veterans, and their survivors.
  In the wake of the September 11 attacks on Americans, I thank 
Chairman Smith for taking the initiative to introduce and bring this 
bill to the floor before we adjourn for the year.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3423.

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