Steven Holt: “I want to thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for accepting this amendment. When the long-running problems at…”

“I want to thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for accepting this amendment. When the long-running problems at the Dover Port Mortuary were revealed to the public last year, all of us were appalled and ashamed at how the remains of fallen warriors had been mishandled. It took a number of people, including a constituent of mine who is the widow of a deceased Iraq veteran, as well as several brave whistleblowers--public servants in the truest sense--to bring these problems to light. What we now know is that multiple Air Force IG inspections missed the mishandling of bodies, improper cremations and other serious problems that plagued the Dover Port Mortuary for years. Clearly, a higher, more sustained level of oversight of Dover and of our overall process for military mortuary affairs is called for. My amendment would provide that higher level of oversight by creating a Federal Mortuary Affairs Advisory Commission. The amendment requires the appointment of family members with direct experience in dealing with Dover, as well as the appointment of outside specialists in mortuary affairs. We owe it to our fallen warriors and their families to make this painful process as dignified and respectful as possible. Creating this Commission will help us do that, which is why I ask for my colleagues to support it. Without world class linguists we would not have found Bin Laden.…”