On the recordMay 23, 2011
I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1627, which contains legislation that Congressman Runyan and I introduced to end the practice of backroom deals and reservations at Arlington National Cemetery. It codifies what has been Army policy since 1962--that every eligible servicemember should be buried at Arlington without regard for rank or status. Unfortunately, Army policy has gone unheeded for over 40 years, and past supervisors of the cemetery have allowed these deals to continue. The bill, therefore, requires a full accounting of the off- the-books deals that have been made in the past. Arlington National Cemetery, as we all know, is our Nation's most hallowed ground. The promise we make to those who wear our Nation's uniform and to their families is that our Nation will honor and remember their service, that we will never forget that freedom is not free. As Memorial Day approaches, as everyone today has mentioned, I strongly believe we should honor all those who have served by putting an end to reservations at Arlington once and for all. {time} 1620 I would especially like to thank Congressman Runyan for allowing me to work with him on H.R. 1441 and on the larger bill, H.R. 1627. I want to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Mr. Filner for their support as well. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
