[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 103 (Thursday, July 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY BURIAL ELIGIBILITY ACT

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                               speech of

                             HON. BOB STUMP

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 22, 2002

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I have reintroduced the Arlington National 
Cemetery Burial Eligibility Act to ensure that Arlington remain a 
cemetery dedicated to honoring our true military heroes. As you are 
aware, I introduced similar legislation in both the 105th and 106th 
Congresses, and both bills had overwhelming support from the full 
House.
  H.R. 4940 codifies almost all of the current regulations governing 
eligibility for burial in the cemetery and placement in the columbarium 
with the following exceptions:
  First, reservists who retire before age 60, the age at which they 
become eligible for retired pay, would be eligible for in-ground 
burial. A 20-year career in the military reserves should be recognized 
by eligibility for this burial honor.
  Second, reservists who die in the performance of duty while on active 
duty or inactive duty training would now be eligible for burial at 
Arlington. In today's military, we depend heavily on reservists, and 
unfortunately we have lost too many in the last few years to mission-
related accidents.
  As in the previous legislation I mentioned earlier, the bill 
eliminates automatic eligibility for Members of Congress and other 
Federal officials who do not meet all the military criteria required of 
other veterans. However, this bill does provide the President the 
authority to grant a burial waiver to an individual, who otherwise does 
not meet the eligibility criteria, whose acts, services, or 
contributions to the Armed Forces are so extraordinary as to justify 
burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my intention that H.R. 4940, which is widely 
supported by the military and veterans service organizations, will 
enable Arlington National Cemetery to remain the premier military 
cemetery of our country. I look forward to working with the other body 
to ensure that H.R. 4940 becomes law this year.

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