Jim Banks: “I thank Mr. Roe for his hard work on behalf of our veterans as chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. I am…”

“I thank Mr. Roe for his hard work on behalf of our veterans as chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. I am very proud to serve on that committee under his leadership. Mr. Speaker, because our veterans answered the call and served our country, we, in turn, must serve them and their families. This commitment extends to assisting them in medical recovery, in successfully transitioning to the civilian workforce, and, just as importantly, in properly memorializing their lives when they are gone. Current law provides memorial headstones for veterans and for their spouses and children when the remains of the deceased cannot be found. This can occur in unfortunate cases, such as a boating or a plane accident. Public Law 105-368 provides headstones for spouses, and it was enacted in 1998. Public Law 109-461 provides headstones for dependent children, and it was enacted in 2006. Both groups are eligible for this benefit as of the date of enactment. However, as has already been said, it is unfortunate that these two laws did not go into effect at the same time, potentially opening the door for a parent to receive this benefit, but not a child. Mr. Speaker, my bill, H.R. 3656, would amend title 38 of the United States Code to provide for a consistent eligibility date for spouses and dependent children. The date for both would be set at the current date for spouses: November 11, 1998.…”