John Sarbanes: “I offer my very strong support to my colleague from the State of Washington and commend her for her efforts on behalf of…”

“I offer my very strong support to my colleague from the State of Washington and commend her for her efforts on behalf of our Nation's veterans. What we are dealing with is really an unacceptable situation. Families across the nation have come to expect and depend on having a proper military burial for their loved ones who have served in our Armed Forces. This is simply not happening. I joined earlier with the Senator from Washington and the Senator from Alaska, Senator Murkowski, in introducing legislation to in effect mandate a solution to this problem. This amendment--and I think this is a commendable effort on the part of my distinguished colleague from Washington--will direct the Department of Defense, working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to convene a summit and identify the means and manpower to meet this need. Senator Murray has put this process on a very tight timeframe. The Department has a 6-month period in which to come up with a plan to take care of this problem. I have received letters that would move you to tears in terms of the importance that families place on providing a proper burial for their loved ones who have served in our armed services.”