[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 28, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 20--AUTHORIZING THE LAST SURVIVING VETERAN 
 OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR TO LIE IN HONOR IN THE ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL 
                             UPON HIS DEATH

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

                            S. Con. Res. 20

       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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