STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - April 26, 2005)
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By Mr. DODD:
S. 909. A bill to expand eligibility for governmental markers for marked graves of veterans at private cemeteries; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill that will restore the rights of all veterans and their families to receive an official grave marker of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This legislation addresses an unfortunate inequity that exists for veterans who passed away during the period between November 1, 1990 and September 11, 2001.
It may come as a shock to my colleagues to learn that while all other veterans are entitled to the VA's official grave markers, current law forbids veterans who passed away during this eleven year period from being so honored.
This situation is unacceptable and must be remedied.
Nearly one year ago today, the National World War II Memorial was unveiled to the public. Countless Americans who have passed its 50 stone pillars since that time have been reminded of the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who served our country. at its time of greatest need.
But as Senator Bob Dole stated at its dedication ceremony, the World War II Memorial is not a tribute to war and conflict. Rather, he said, ``it's a tribute to the physical and moral courage that makes heroes out of farm and city boys and that inspires Americans in every generation to lay down their lives for people they will never meet, for ideals that make life itself worth living.''
Indeed, monuments like the World War II Memorial serve as a reminder of the service, sacrifice and dedication of our veterans. The 4,000 stars resting on the Wall of Freedom remind us that too many paid the ultimate price.
Many Americans have a similar experience when they visit the grave of a former veteran--often a friend or relative. Most of these grave sites have markers paying tribute to the veteran's service. We place flags by their side on Memorial Day. Until 1990, moreover, the family of a deceased Veteran could receive reimbursement for a VA headstone, a VA marker, or a private headstone. However, in the name of cost-cutting, measures were taken to prevent the VA from providing markers to those families that had purchased gravestones out of their own pockets.
In my view, this measure was a serious injustice. Nearly all families today provide for some gravestone or other privately purchased marker following the death of a relative. Yet most were unaware of the new VA regulation. Many veterans were buried without any official recognition of their service to our country. As of 2001, the VA estimated that it was forced to deny nearly 20,000 requests for such markers every year.
This body first endorsed a provision restoring the right of every veteran to receive a grave marker as early as June 7, 2000 as part of the fiscal year 2001 Defense Authorization Bill. This body approved this language again on December 8, 2001. But it was not until December 6, 2002 that legislation was signed into law as part of the Veterans Improvement Act allowing VA markers to be provided to deceased veterans retroactively. Unfortunately, however, when the bill went to a conference with the House of Representatives, this benefit was only applied retroactively to September 11, 2001 rather than to November 1, 1990, the date at which the new VA regulation came into effect. Veterans who passed away between those two dates were cut out.
That decision has never satisfied me or many veterans and their families. Why should one veteran receive recognition, while the family of another is told that there is nothing our government can do simply because of the date of their passing?
My legislation will correct this inequity. This bill is simple. It ensures that all veterans who have passed away since 1990 are able to receive a VA grave marker.
It is inexpensive. In 2001, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that providing such a benefit to all veterans would cost no more than $3 million per year for the first 5 years. Since most of the families of veterans who passed away between 1990 and 2001 have already completed their burial plans, it is safe to assume that a substantially smaller number of individuals would require this benefit.
Today is the seventh anniversary of the passing of Agostino Guzzo, a Connecticut resident who bravely served in the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines during World War II. His family interred his body in a mausoleum at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford, Connecticut. The family was not aware of the VA's restrictions on grave markers, and was told by the VA that there was no way to receive an official recognition.
Agostino's son, Thomas Guzzo, brought the matter to my attention, and, along with Representative NANCY JOHNSON, we were able pass to legislation granting Agostino the memorial he deserves. But too many families are still denied such markers. This legislation honors the memory of Agostino Guzzo and all of the veterans who have served their country in war and in peace. Thomas Guzzo's commitment to this issue has not ended. The commitment of this Congress to the issue should continue as well.
I hope our colleagues will give this important legislation their favorable consideration.
I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
http://thomas.loc.gov/