Senator Patty Murray (above) is the Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Last week, her office noted:
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact:
Murray Press Office
Thursday, December 20th,
2012
(202)
224-2834
Murray Bill to Ensure Dignified Burial for
Every Veteran Passes Senate
Bill also
includes provisions to improve veterans’ benefits, including transportation
assistance and the creation of a burn pit registry
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S.
Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, applauded Senate
passage of the Dignified Burial and Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of
2012. This House and Senate-negotiated package contains proposals from
Democrats and Republicans in both Chambers.
The
legislation includes provisions from Chairman Murray’s original bill to
authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a casket or
urn to a deceased veteran when VA is unable to identify the veteran’s
next-of-kin and determines that sufficient resources are not otherwise available
to furnish a casket or urn for burial in a national cemetery. Under current
law, VA is not authorized to purchase a casket or urn for veterans who do not
have a next-of-kin to provide one, or the resources to be buried in an
appropriate manner. Earlier this year Chairman Murray and Ranking Member Burr,
joined by U.S. Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), introduced
this legislation after a veteran, with no known next-of-kin, was buried in a
cardboard container at a VA National Cemetery in Florida. The exposed remains
were discovered during a project to raise and realign headstones at the cemetery.
The
Dignified Burial and Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 would also
establish a registry for those veterans exposed to open burn pits while serving
in Iraq and Afghanistan and commissions an independent scientific report on the
health effects of such exposures. The legislation would expand and protect
access to VA services by furnishing eligible veterans with transportation to and
from VA facilities and provide transition assistance to eligible veterans and
their spouses outside of military installations.
“When America’s heroes make a commitment
to serve their country, we make a promise to care for them,” said Chairman Murray, following
passage of the bill. “That includes helping them access VA
facilities and providing them with a burial befitting their
service.”
The House and Senate-negotiated package
also includes authority for restoration of the Clark Veterans Cemetery in the
Philippines and renames several VA facilities across the country, including the
Spokane VA Medical Center, in honor of veterans and individuals who have made
extraordinary contributions to veterans, to their communities, and to their
country. The bill will now move on to the House of Representatives.
###
Kathryn
Robertson
Specialty Media Coordinator
Specialty Media Coordinator
Office of U.S.
Senator Patty Murray
448 Russell Senate
Office Building
Washington D.C.
20510
202-224-2834