Andrea Joy Campbell: “today I support a bill to correct a serious problem made apparent by the recent conviction of Timothy McVeigh for his…”

“today I support a bill to correct a serious problem made apparent by the recent conviction of Timothy McVeigh for his cowardly act of terrorism. I was in the process of drafting a bill on this issue, but in light of the scope of the bill proposed by the Veteran's Committee chairman, I am pleased to join as a cosponsor of this legislation to accomplish my goals. Our Nation remains outraged at that terrorist act and the individual who was convicted of committing it. We now are further outraged at the thought of that person being eligible for burial in a military cemetery beside our fallen brothers and sisters. As you well know, Mr. President, these military burials function to honor the brave men and women who have placed themselves in harm's way in order to defend our freedom and the system of government that has protected us for more than 200 years. As a Korean war veteran and a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am personally aware of the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform to serve and protect these freedoms. When anyone seeks to destroy our system of government by acts of terrorism, it is certainly a slap in the face to those who have served to protect freedom. Allowing that individual to be buried alongside truly honorable veterans is not only an injustice, it is disrespectful of the memory of those buried in our military cemeteries and to their families who sacrificed as well.”