[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 61 (Thursday, April 26, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       UNIFORMED CHAIN OF CUSTODY

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                           HON. MIKE COFFMAN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2012

  Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing 
legislation to restore respect for the remains of our fallen heroes by 
mandating a uniformed chain of custody for overseas military 
casualties.
  Since the beginning of combat operations in Afghanistan, there have 
been several instances of gross misconduct in the treatment of the 
remains of our fallen heroes. Body parts have been lost, the cremated 
remains of 274 servicemembers were dumped in a landfill, and in one 
incident a Marine was dismembered in order to fit inside his uniform. 
In each of these unfortunate examples, non-uniformed personnel were 
intimately involved in the callous behavior. To ensure the reverent 
care of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country, I am 
sponsoring a bill that mandates a uniformed member of the armed 
services be accountable for the remains of overseas casualties from the 
battlefield until the remains are accepted by the member's next of kin.
  Civilian personnel involved in the chain of custody are not subject 
to the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, UCMJ, and the Department of 
Justice has not seen fit to prosecute a single case of misconduct. A 
uniformed chain of custody law would clearly define accountability for 
the remains as a military honor and duty, and any violations of this 
responsibility will be punishable under UCMJ.
  The men and women who serve as our nation's Soldiers, Sailors, 
Airmen, and Marines have few assurances when they deploy to combat to 
defend our nation. One of the few assurances they do have is that if 
they make the ultimate sacrifice and lay down their lives in the line 
of duty, then their remains will be treated with the utmost dignity and 
respect of a grateful nation. I believe this is not only a legal 
requirement, but also our moral obligation. My legislation will 
reassure servicemembers and their families that our nation honors their 
service in life and in death.

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