Shelley Berkley: “I want to particularly mention a provision in this legislation which extends through December 31, 2007, the Department…”

“I want to particularly mention a provision in this legislation which extends through December 31, 2007, the Department of Veterans Affairs' authority to provide a grave marker or headstone when a veteran is buried in a marked grave. Veterans who served our Nation honorably should not lose their eligibility for recognition in death merely because the grave in which they are buried has a nonmilitary marker. I have a long record of interest in improving the burial benefits provided to our Nation's veterans, and this provision is certainly a step in the right direction. I join Chairman Miller in introducing legislation to extend this authorization. Although the VA and Members on both sides of the aisle support making the authorization permanent, the committee was not able to fund the cost of permanent authorization. I hope that we will be able to do so in the next Congress.”