Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 2061, the Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011, was introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hanna) on May 31 of this year. H.R. 2061 enjoys the support of 21 cosponsors on both sides of the aisle, and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform reported this bill by voice vote on June 22 of this year. Mr. Speaker, each year a small number of Federal civilian employees tragically lose their lives as a result of the duties they pledged to fulfill. Sadly, nearly 3,000 Federal civilian workers have died on the job since 1992. Many civilian employees are veterans and thus are entitled to military funeral honors. In addition, the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security have regulatory authority over burial benefits related to civilian employees who die as a result of their service with an Armed Force in a contingency operation. The Federal Government lacks a policy authorizing the presentation of a United States flag to the families of Federal civilian employees serving elsewhere who lose their lives as a result of their employment. For those civilian employees who make the ultimate sacrifice in the course of service to their country, H.R. 2061 authorizes agencies to give a United States flag as a way for the Nation to formally express sympathy and gratitude. H.R.…”