DEATH AND DYING

Articles and editorials

Mass Graves Hold Thousands, Kashmir Inquiry Finds, E1624 [14SE]

Bills and resolutions

Armed Forces: appropriate funds to ensure prompt payment of death gratuity payments upon the death of members when a funding gap caused by the failure to enact interim or full-year appropriations for the Armed Forces occurs (see H.R. 1469), H2570 [8AP]

———authorize members to designate anyone as the person authorized to direct disposition of the remains of the member if the member dies while on active duty (see H.R. 1046), H1768 [11MR]

———condemn disposal as medical waste of remains of deceased members, prevent recurrence of such disposal, and respectfully respond to inquiries on treatment of remains of deceased members (see H. Res. 492), H8727 [12DE]

———delay presumption of death in connection with the kidnapping in Iraq or Afghanistan of a retired member to ensure continued payment of member's retired pay (see H.R. 3255), H7068 [25OC]

———ensure those killed and wounded at Fort Hood, TX, are treated in the same manner as those killed or wounded in combat zones, terrorist attacks, or in a contingency operation (see S. 316), S642 [10FE] (see H.R. 625), H679 [10FE]

———ensure those killed and wounded in the attack at a recruiting station in Little Rock, AR, are treated in the same manner as those killed or wounded in combat zones (see S. 1899), S7702 [17NO] (see H.R. 2683), H5732 [28JY]

———make appropriations to provide pay and allowances to members, including Reserve components, and death gratuities on behalf of deceased members and other eligible persons notwithstanding a Government shutdown (see H.R. 1494), H2603 [12AP]

———provide for forgiveness of certain overpayments of retired pay paid to deceased retired members following their death (see H.R. 493), H508 [26JA]

———provide members of Individual Ready Reserve who served in Afghanistan or Iraq with information on counseling to prevent suicide (see S. 579), S1676 [15MR] (see H.R. 1089), H1841 [15MR]

Capital punishment: abolish under Federal law (see H.R. 3051), H6455 [23SE]

Capitol Building and Grounds: authorizing use of Grounds for National Peace Officers' Memorial Service (see H. Con. Res. 46), H2933 [2MY]

Cemeteries and funerals: provide Government headstones and markers at private cemeteries for certain veterans (see H.R. 2048), H3755 [26MY]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: authorize funding for creation and implementation of infant mortality pilot programs in standard metropolitan statistical areas with high rates of infant mortality (see H.R. 2127), H4035 [3JN]

Children and youth: revise and extend programs to support planning, implementation, and evaluation of organized activities involving statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies (see S. 740), S2187 [6AP]

Commission To Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: establish (see S. 1984), S8547 [13DE] (see H.R. 3653), H8880 [13DE]

Crime: prohibit use of interstate commerce for suicide promotion (see H.R. 1183), H1983 [17MR]

Dept. of Defense: ensure equitable treatment of Armed Forces members and civilian employees killed or wounded in certain attacks outside combat zones (see H.R. 1019), H1724 [10MR] (see H.R. 1142), H1906 [16MR]

———take steps necessary to exhume and transfer remains of deceased Armed Forces members buried in Tripoli, Libya (see S. 1822), S7187 [8NO] (see H.R. 1497), H2603 [12AP]

Dept. of HHS: allocate funds for collection of statistics from most recent versions of the Standard Certificates of Live Birth and Death and Standard Report of Fetal Death (see H.R. 666), H723 [11FE]

———improve health of children, reduce occurrence of sudden unexpected infant death, and enhance public health activities relative to stillbirth (see S. 1862), S7451 [15NO] (see H.R. 3418), H7578 [14NO]

———provide for national collection of data on stillbirths in a standardized manner (see H.R. 1037), H1768 [11MR]

———provide grants to States to establish maternal mortality review committees on pregnancy-related deaths (see H.R. 894), H1573 [3MR]

———reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (see S. 1440), S5017 [28JY] (see H.R. 2679), H5732 [28JY]

Dept. of Justice: encourage States to report certain information regarding the deaths of persons in the custody of law enforcement agencies (see H.R. 2189), H4277 [15JN]

Dept. of Labor: pay Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program benefits to survivors of eligible Dept. of Energy contractor employees (see H.R. 1029), H1725 [10MR]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: assist in identification of unclaimed and abandoned human remains to determine if any such remains are eligible for burial in a national cemetery (see H.R. 2051), H3755 [26MY]

———clarify role in providing a benefit or service related to the interment or funeral of a veteran (see H.R. 2720), H5882 [1AU]

———expand the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship to include spouses of Armed Forces members who died in the line of duty (see S. 1852), S7367 [10NO]

———modify provision of certain surviving spouse benefits in the months of deaths of veterans and improve housing loan benefits (see S. 874), S2621 [3MY]

———provide for certain requirements relative to national cemeteries and funeral and memorial services for deceased veterans (see H.R. 2848), H5964 [7SE]

———reduce period of time for which a veteran must be totally disabled before survivors are eligible for certain benefits (see H.R. 813), H1250 (see H.R. 813), H1362 [18FE]

———reimburse certain volunteers who provide funeral honors details at the funerals of veterans (see H.R. 545), H550 [8FE] (see H.R. 811), H1250 (see H.R. 811), H1362 [18FE]

———transfer entitlement to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program by deceased Armed Forces members to surviving spouses (see H.R. 2550), H5124 [15JY]

Diseases: promote increased awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of atrial fibrillation to address the high morbidity and mortality rates and to prevent avoidable associated hospitalizations (see S. Res. 243), S5071 [29JY] (see H. Res. 295), H3985 [2JN]

Dover AFB, DE: tribute to Air Force Mortuary Operations (see H. Res. 229), H2913 [15AP]

Drugs: increase Federal oversight of prescription opioid treatment and assistance to States in reducing opioid abuse, diversion, and deaths (see S. 507), S1406 [8MR] (see H.R. 1925), H3302 [13MY]

Family and Medical Leave Act: allow leave because of the death of a son or daughter (see S. 1358), S4554 [13JY]

Federal employees: authorize presentation of a U.S. flag at the funeral of Federal civilian employees who are killed while performing official duties or because of their status as a Federal employee (see S. 1444), S5018 [28JY] (see H.R. 2061), H3805 [31MY]

———authorize presentation of U.S. flag at funeral of Federal civilian employees killed while performing official duties or because of status as a Federal employee (H.R. 2061), correct enrollment (see H. Con. Res. 86), H7398 [4NO]

———make stillborn children eligible for optional coverage under Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (see H.R. 2737), H5883 [1AU]

———provide that an employee or Member who dies within survivor annuity notification period shall be presumed to have elected to provide a former spouse with such annuity (see H.R. 3602), H8261 [7DE]

———provide that fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans shall be included with mothers of such veterans as preference eligibles for treatment in civil service (see S. 514), S1406 [8MR]

Federal firefighters: establish presumptive disability benefits for certain diseases and disabilities (see H.R. 1066), H1796 [14MR]

Flag—U.S.: provide Capitol-flown flags to the families of deceased firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, and other rescue workers (see H.R. 926), H1574 [3MR]

———provide for the flying of the flag at half-staff in the event of the death of a first responder in the line of duty (see H.R. 1330), H2266 [1AP]

FTC: establish rules to prohibit unfair or deceptive acts or practices relative to the provision of funeral services (see H.R. 900), H1573 [3MR]

Green, Christina Taylor: tribute to organ donation following death at ``Congress on Your Corner'' event in Tucson, AZ, and encourage organ donation as a personal choice (see H. Res. 55), H470 [25JA]

International Conference on Population and Development: provide for continued support of the Program of Action (see H. Res. 261), H3160 [10MY]

Law enforcement officers: include fire police officers in the list of officers who are eligible for public safety officers' death benefits (see S. 1315), S4292 [30JN] (see H.R. 2034), H3755 [26MY]

Medicare: recognize attending physician assistants as attending physicians to serve hospice patients (see S. 891), S2730 [5MY]

———strengthen and protect hospice programs (see S. 722), S2087 [4AP] (see H.R. 3506), H7898 [22NO]

Medicare/Medicaid: provide coverage of voluntary advance care planning consultation (see H.R. 1589), H2910 [15AP]

Members of Congress: prohibit payment of death gratuities to the surviving heirs of deceased Members (see H.R. 3127), H6671 [6OC]

National Infant Mortality Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 276), S5945 [23SE]

National Life Insurance Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 270), S5684 [15SE]

National Police Survivors Day: designate (see S. Res. 183), S2929 [12MY]

Occupational Safety and Health Act: expand coverage, increase protections for whistleblowers, and increase penalties for violators (see S. 1166), S3683 [9JN] (see H.R. 190), H40 [5JA]

Peace Officers Memorial Day: observance (see S. Res. 168), S2731 [5MY]

Persian Gulf Conflict: tribute to soldiers killed or wounded by Iraqi missile attack on Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (see S. Res. 76), S871 [17FE] (see H. Res. 96), H1039 (see H. Res. 96), H1070 [16FE]

Political campaigns: permit candidates for Federal office to designate an individual authorized to disburse funds from the candidate's campaign committees in the event of the death of the candidate (see H.R. 406), H434 [24JA]

Public safety officers: extend public safety officers' death benefits to fire police officers (see H.R. 1348), H2291 [4AP]

Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: improve (see S. 1696), S6461 [12OC]

Social Security: authorize waivers of certain waiting periods for benefits based on disability in cases in which such waiting period would cause undue hardship to terminally ill beneficiaries (see H.R. 160), H39 [5JA]

———protect information received related to deceased individuals (see H.R. 3475), H7889 [18NO]

``Taps'': designate musical piece as National Song of Remembrance (see H.R. 595), H599 [9FE]

Taxation: allow a credit for unreimbursed funeral expenses relative to a deceased indigent individual (see H.R. 1033), H1768 [11MR]

———make certain estate tax provisions permanent (see H.R. 1757), H3107 [5MY]

———make certain tax relief permanent and repeal the estate tax (see H.R. 123), H37 [5JA]

———permanently extend Bush administration tax cuts and provide permanent alternative minimum tax and estate tax relief (see S. 336), S683 [14FE] (see H.R. 696), H774 [14FE]

———prevent pending tax increases and permanently repeal estate and gift taxes and the alternative minimum tax on individuals (see H.R. 86), H35 [5JA]

———provide for death and disability protection for loans from qualified employer plans (see H.R. 3656), H8880 [13DE]

———reform estate and gift taxes (see H.R. 3467), H7829 [17NO]

———repeal estate and generation-skipping taxes (see H.R. 1259), H2106 [30MR]

———repeal estate and gift taxes (see H.R. 177), H40 [5JA]

———repeal estate tax and retain stepped-up basis at death (see H.R. 143), H38 [5JA]

Veterans: exclude those convicted of certain sex offenses from receiving burial-related benefits and funeral honors available to certain veterans, Armed Forces members, and related individuals (see H.R. 2355), H4573 [24JN]

———issue a medal to those who died after service in the Vietnamese Conflict as a result of that service (see H.R. 540), H550 [8FE]

Comments

Real Cost of War: Bob Schieffer, CBS News, H6508 [4OC]

Letters

Revise and extend programs to support planning, implementation, and evaluation of organized activities involving statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies: Mental Health Liaison Group, S2192 [6AP]

Poems

``On the Wings of Luke'', E2290 [16DE]

Remarks in House

Armed Forces: assessment of attempted rescue of Americans on yacht taken hostage and killed by Somali pirates, H1558-H1561 [3MR], H1595 [8MR]

———condemn disposal as medical waste of remains of deceased members, prevent recurrence of such disposal, and respectfully respond to inquiries on treatment of remains of deceased members, H8935 [14DE]

———ensure those killed and wounded at Fort Hood, TX, are treated in the same manner as those killed or wounded in combat zones, terrorist attacks, or in a contingency operation (H.R. 625), H8953, H8956 [14DE]

———sending of Presidential sympathy letter to families of soldiers who have committed suicide in battle, H4598 [6JY], E1276 [8JY]

Aviation: tribute to aviation industry for year of no deaths attributable to commercial aviation, E165 [8FE]

Capitol Building and Grounds: authorizing use of Grounds for National Peace Officers' Memorial Service (H. Con. Res. 46), H3189 [11MY]

Dept. of Defense: prioritize suicide prevention programs, H4648 [6JY]

Dept. of Justice: encourage States to report certain information regarding the deaths of persons in the custody of law enforcement agencies (H.R. 2189), H6244-H6246 [20SE]

Dept. of Labor: pay Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program benefits to survivors of eligible Dept. of Energy contractor employees (H.R. 1029), E448 [10MR]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: provide for certain requirements relative to national cemeteries and funeral and memorial services for deceased veterans (H.R. 2848), H5941 [7SE]

———reduce period of time for which a veteran must be totally disabled before survivors are eligible for certain benefits (H.R. 813), E488 [15MR]

———regulations governing religious displays and utterances at funerals at national cemeteries, H7382 [4NO]

———reimburse certain volunteers who provide funeral honors details at the funerals of veterans (H.R. 545), E391 [1MR]

Disasters: express condolences for victims of storms in Southern States, H3095 [5MY], H3229 [12MY]

EPA: require analysis of impact of delay of certain rules and actions on incidence of birth and developmental defects and infant mortality, H6424 [23SE]

Federal employees: authorize presentation of a U.S. flag at the funeral of Federal civilian employees who are killed while performing official duties or because of their status as a Federal employee (H.R. 2061), H7223-H7226 [2NO], E2004 [3NO]

———authorize presentation of U.S. flag at funeral of Federal civilian employees killed while performing official duties or because of status as a Federal employee (H.R. 2061), correct enrollment (H. Con. Res. 86), H7381 [4NO]

Fresno, CA: tribute to Fresno VA Medical Center No Veteran Dies Alone program, H8914 [14DE]

Health: improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors, E663 [7AP]

Hillsborough County, FL: tribute to Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office program to conduct honor escorts for fallen soldiers, E2294 [16DE]

Illinois: decision to abolish capital punishment, E452 [10MR]

India: discovery of mass graves in Kashmir Valley, E1624 [14SE]

Medicare/Medicaid: provide coverage of voluntary advance care planning consultation (H.R. 1589), E737 [15AP]

National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims: observance, E1704 [23SE]

National Infant Mortality Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (S. Res. 276), E1958 [27OC]

SSA: protect information received related to deceased individuals (H.R. 3475), H7834 [18NO]

Taxation: allow a credit for unreimbursed funeral expenses relative to a deceased indigent individual (H.R. 1033), E460 [11MR]

———permanently extend Bush administration tax cuts, H2513 [7AP], H7941 [30NO]

———reform estate and gift taxes (H.R. 3467), E2091 [17NO]

———repeal estate and generation-skipping taxes (H.R. 1259), H7125 [26OC]

Veterans: issue a medal to those who died after service in the Vietnamese Conflict as a result of that service (H.R. 540), E383 [1MR]

Remarks in Senate

Armed Forces: tribute for assistance in combating pirates off the Somali coast, S3150 [19MY]

Capitol Building and Grounds: authorizing use of Grounds for National Peace Officers' Memorial Service (H. Con. Res. 46), S2972 [12MY]

Children and youth: revise and extend programs to support planning, implementation, and evaluation of organized activities involving statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies (S. 740), S2190-S2194 [6AP]

Commission To Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: establish (S. 1984), S8549 [13DE]

Diseases: promote increased awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of atrial fibrillation to address the high morbidity and mortality rates and to prevent avoidable associated hospitalizations (S. Res. 243), S5051 [29JY]

Drugs: increase Federal oversight of prescription opioid treatment and assistance to States in reducing opioid abuse, diversion, and deaths (S. 507), S1408 [8MR]

Federal employees: authorize presentation of a U.S. flag at the funeral of Federal civilian employees who are killed while performing official duties or because of their status as a Federal employee (H.R. 2061), S8466 [8DE]

———authorize presentation of a U.S. flag at the funeral of Federal civilian employees who are killed while performing official duties or because of their status as a Federal employee (S. 1444), S5022 [28JY]

———authorize presentation of U.S. flag at funeral of Federal civilian employees killed while performing official duties or because of status as a Federal employee (H.R. 2061), correct enrollment (H. Con. Res. 86), S8466 [8DE]

———provide that fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans shall be included with mothers of such veterans as preference eligibles for treatment in civil service (S. 514), S1411 [8MR]

Immigration: eliminate the ``widow penalty'' by allowing petitions for legal permanent residency by noncitizen surviving spouses of U.S. citizens to be adjudicated, S1138 [2MR]

Medicare: strengthen and protect hospice programs (S. 722), S2089, S2090 [4AP]

National Infant Mortality Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (S. Res. 276), S5934 [23SE]

National Life Insurance Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (S. Res. 270), S6470 [12OC]

Occupational Safety and Health Act: expand coverage, increase protections for whistleblowers, and increase penalties for violators, S2595 [3MY]

———expand coverage, increase protections for whistleblowers, and increase penalties for violators (S. 1166), S3689 [9JN]

Peace Officers Memorial Day: observance, S2987, S2988 [16MY]

———observance (S. Res. 168), S2752 [5MY]

Persian Gulf Conflict: tribute to soldiers killed or wounded by Iraqi missile attack on Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (S. Res. 76), S924 [17FE]

Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: improve (S. 1696), S6466 [12OC]

Workers Memorial Day: observance, S2593-S2595 [3MY]

Reports filed

Civilian Service Recognition Act: Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (House) (H.R. 2061) (H. Rept. 112-149), H5149 [18JY]

Death in Custody Reporting Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 2189) (H. Rept. 112-198), H5963 [7SE]

———Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (H.R. 2189), S7701 [17NO]

Texts of

H. Con. Res. 46, use of Capitol Grounds for National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, H3189 [11MY]

H. Con. Res. 86, correct enrollment of H.R. 2061, Civilian Service Recognition Act, H7381 [4NO]

H.R. 2061, Civilian Service Recognition Act, H7223 [2NO]

H.R. 2189, Death in Custody Reporting Act, H6244 [20SE]

S. 514, Gold Star Fathers Act, S1412 [8MR]

S. 722, Hospice Evaluation and Legitimate Payment Act, S2089 [4AP]

S. 740, revise and extend programs to support planning, implementation, and evaluation of organized activities involving statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies, S2190-S2192 [6AP]

S. 1444, Civilian Service Recognition Act, S5023 [28JY]

S. 1696, Public Safety Officers' Benefits Improvements Act, S6467-S6469 [12OC]

S. Res. 76, tribute to soldiers killed or wounded by Iraqi missile attack on Dhahran, Saudi Arabia during Persian Gulf Conflict, S919, S925 [17FE]

S. Res. 168, Peace Officers Memorial Day, S2745, S2753 [5MY]

S. Res. 183, National Police Survivors Day, S2958, S2971 [12MY]

S. Res. 243, promote increased awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of atrial fibrillation to address the high morbidity and mortality rates and to prevent avoidable associated hospitalizations, S5051, S5077 [29JY]

S. Res. 270, National Life Insurance Awareness Month, S5689 [15SE]

S. Res. 270, support goals and ideals of National Life Insurance Awareness Month, S6470 [12OC]

S. Res. 276, support goals and ideals of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, S5934, S5950 [23SE]