Press Releases
Congressman Wenstrup Introduces H.R. 6114, the Charles Duncan Buried with Honor Act
Washington, D.C.,
September 23, 2016
|
Meghan Waters
(202-225-3164)
Tags:
Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Wenstrup (OH-2), a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, has introduced the Charles Duncan Buried with Honor Act (H.R. 6114), the House of Representatives’ companion bill to Senator Tom Cotton’s bill (S. 3076) of the same name. Under current law, if a veteran dies without the resources to pay for a casket, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will provide one, as long as the veteran is buried in a National Cemetery. In Ohio’s second district, for example, a veteran would need to be transported to the national cemetery in Dayton or to one in Kentucky. This restriction has caused heartache for many families in Southern and Southwest Ohio: it can mean their loved one must be buried far away, potentially preventing them from attending the funeral or regularly visiting the gravesite. Congressman Wenstrup’s legislation would amend federal law to allow veterans buried in a casket purchased by the VA to have the option of internment at a state or tribal cemetery for which the VA has provided a grant. It would expand the internment options available to veterans in need, and it would increase their likelihood of being buried closer to their loved ones. “Our nation’s veterans have sacrificed so much on our behalf. It’s the least we can do to ensure they are properly honored in death as they were in life,” said Wenstrup. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation alongside Senator Tom Cotton (AR) and Congressman Joe Heck (NV-3). I hope it will be quickly passed and signed into law to bring some peace of mind to our veterans and their families.” Charles Duncan, the namesake of this legislation, was a veteran living in Little Rock, Arkansas, who passed away last year. When Mr. Duncan was buried over 150 miles from his home, his own daughter was unable to attend his funeral. H.R. 6114 has been referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where it awaits further consideration. S. 3076 passed the Senate on September 20, 2016. The full text and summary of the bill can be found here. ### Office of Representative Brad Wenstrup   
|