Jon Runyan: “I thank Chairman Miller. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1627, as amended, a bill containing several…”

“I thank Chairman Miller. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1627, as amended, a bill containing several provisions regarding Arlington National Cemetery. H.R. 1627, as amended and introduced by Chairman Miller, alters the requirements for the placement of certain monuments within Arlington National Cemetery. It would limit the erection of monuments not containing interred remains. These changes bring the requirements in better accord with the primary purpose of the cemetery: to honor our fallen servicemembers. H.R. 1441, which I have introduced and included in H.R. 1627, as amended, would codify the regulations and policies barring reservations for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. After being informed by a constituent of potential problems of past mismanagement at the cemetery, including lax oversight, damaged graves, and improper burials, I met with Mr. Patrick Hallinan, superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, and Ms. Kathryn Condon, executive director of the Army National Cemeteries Program, in March, who helped me to quickly address and resolve the concerns of my constituent. H.R. 1627 will give Mr. Hallinan and Ms. Condon valuable tools to further aid them in their stewardship of some of the Nation's most sacred ground. The space at Arlington National Cemetery is very limited, so we must plan accordingly.…”