Joe Cunningham: “My amendment directs placement of a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery honoring noncitizen service members killed…”

“My amendment directs placement of a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery honoring noncitizen service members killed in the line of duty while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The amendment designates the Secretary of the Army to coordinate and direct this effort. In addition, the amendment allows for the collection of private donations for design and construction, while restricting the use of Federal funds. It is no cost to the taxpayers and has no budgetary implications for the DoD bill. Finally, authority for accepting donations and pursuing the memorial expires 5 years after the date of enactment. Honoring our service members is a process that begins on the battlefield through ensuring that our troops have the best equipment and other essentials. It continues as we welcome them home upon returning from war, when we fly the POW-MIA flag, when we care for them and their families and, ultimately, when we lay them to rest with appropriate remembrance and tribute. Many American military heroes, past and present, were born outside of the United States.”