Jun. 19, 2018
HARRISBURG – The Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (VAEP) Committee and its chairman, Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), voted in favor of legislation that would preserve the honor of American veterans.
House Resolution 604, authored by Rep. Mark Gillen (R-Berks/Lancaster), would urge President Donald Trump and Congress to preserve underwater graves of service members who died defending our nation.
The ships, where the bodies of many service members are located, are being blasted into pieces and then brought up to the surface with magnets by people from other countries. These people sell the scrap metal, which can be sold for three to five times the profit of the lower-quality metal that has been produced in more recent years.
“This barbaric practice shows an obvious disregard for American ideals for which these men and women fought. It’s disgusting that people would prize financial gain over respect for the deceased,” Barrar said.
The other three bills, which also received unanimous support, would address disregard for veterans’ graves in cemeteries across the Commonwealth and provide families with a remedy if they feel dismissed by the cemeteries.
Currently, there are many different standards for honoring veterans’ graves in Pennsylvania, which may contribute to the problems families experience with tattered flags being displayed, for example.
The bills – which would modify the County Code, First Class County Code and Second Class County Code, would not impose additional fines or charges. Instead, they would provide a remedy for families to deal with cemeteries that are not in compliance.
After receiving support from the VAEP Committee, the bills move to the full House for consideration.
To view footage of the House Veterans’ Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee’s meeting, click here.
Representative Stephen E. Barrar
160th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
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