Expansion of Eligibility for Headstones, Markers, and Medallions for Medal of Honor Recipients
Floor Speech
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise to offer my unqualified support for H.R. 4757, Chairman Miller's bill that updates current law to ensure our Nation's heroes are accorded the recognition they deserve, particularly those afforded the Nation's highest honor for valor, the Medal of Honor.
First, H.R. 4757 directs the VA to provide, upon request, a distinctive headstone, marker, or medallion to Medal of Honor recipients who are buried in private cemeteries. This bill is necessary because current law actually prohibits the Secretary from furnishing these honors to recipients not buried in national cemeteries.
Second, while the VA sends a Presidential Memorial Certificate that expresses the Nation's recognition and gratitude of military service to family members of a deceased veteran, current law limits Presidential Memorial Certificates to the families of those who served in regular armed services or National Guard and Reserve members who were called to Active Duty. H.R. 4757 very rightly expands eligibility for a Presidential Memorial Certificate to members of the Reserve component of the Armed Forces and the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard eligible for interment or inurnment in national cemeteries.
Finally, current law only allows VA to pay for the cost of transporting the remains of a deceased veteran to the nearest open national cemetery. If it is the family's choice instead to be buried in a State or tribal veteran's cemetery, H.R. 4757 authorizes VA to pay the costs associated with transporting the remains of an eligible deceased veteran to that cemetery nearest to the deceased veteran's last residence.
Mr. Speaker, honoring the memory of deceased veterans is our greatest responsibility at the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and I am pleased to support Chairman Miller's legislation which refines and improves on the ways we are doing that. I encourage my colleagues to support this important legislation and join me in passing H.R. 4757, as amended.
I yield back the balance of my time.
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