Political Quotes

“H.R. 4031, as reported by the Committee on Armed Services, contains a provision regarding the transportation of veterans' remains on military aircraft. I wish to clarify that the word ``veteran'' also refers to military retirees. The committee is addressing a problem that arises when ill veterans or retirees are flown, via military or military contract flights with commercial carriers, to distant hospitals. If the individual dies at that hospital, his or her family must pay to have the body shipped back home. The committee's provision is designed to allow the family to ship the body home on military aircraft, on a space-available basis. Mr. Chairman, this problem is not limited to veterans but includes military retirees. It is the intent of this language to make sure that the families of veterans and retirees are not forced to pay more for transportation when their family member dies as opposed to when he or she lives.”