ciate very much your continuing support of this bill. Please let us know if we can be of any help to you. Yours very truly, VIRGIL V. AYRES, President. PINEVILLE, LA. DEAR CONGRESSMAN LONG: Our American Legion Post, Robert K. Willis Jr. Post 276 located in Pineville, La., has gone on record as favoring the changing the name of Alexandria National Cemetery to Pineville National Cemetery. Any help that you can give us in promoting this change will be highly appreciated. Yours truly, WOODROW W. CROUCH. PINEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, Hon. SPEEDY LONG, DEAR CONGRESSMAN LONG: We, the American Government class of Pineville High School, would like to express our appreciation to you for all you have done to help us with regard to the changing of the name of the Alexandria National Cemetery. We received a copy of the bill you introduced to the House on April 28, concerning the "Pineville" National Cemetery. We were extremely pleased and would like to inform you of our latest developments. The Alexandria-Pineville Chamber of Commerce now has a resolution in the committee and two representatives from our class appeared on the Ethma Odum Show, KALB-TV, so we feel that the project has been properly presented to the public. We are now in the process of writing letters to the local garden clubs asking for resolutions which give their support. We will be expecting a favorable report and would appreciate a notice of when you think action will be taken on the bill. Sincerely, LANA ROSS, Committee Chairman. [From the Alexandria (La.) Daily Town Talk, Dec. 10, 1965] IT SHOULD BE "PINEVILLE NATIONAL CEMETERY" It has been long coming, but the suggestion of a group of Pineville students that the name of the Alexandria National Cemetery should be changed is very much in order. Once upon a time-long, long ago the cemetery was located in a rural area. It was named for the closest city. But today it is virtually in the center of the city of Pineville, and continuing to call it the "Alexandria National Cemetery" is grossly improper. It may be, among other considerations, an insult to the good name of Pineville; yet it is of no great pride to Alexandrians because it does not lie within their city or in its unincorporated suburbs. Further, as pointed out when the Pineville students presented their request to the city council Tuesday night, there is a national cemetery at Alexandria, Va., and this is cause for confusion. That cemetery, incidentally, is the world-famous Arlington National Cemetery but apparently is closer to Alexandria than Arlington. STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE CLARENCE E. MILLER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OHIO Mr. Chairman, I have introduced a bill to provide for a National Cemetery in the Southeastern quadrant of Ohio, for the burial of veterans of our wars. It is fitting to provide these men, who have pledged their lives to the preservation of our freedoms, resting places maintained by the country they served. All over the nation there is a need for an expansion of our national cemetery system. This need is particularly acute in Southeastern Ohio. Indeed, in the entire state of Ohio, there is no cemetery where veterans may exercise their right of burial in a National Cemetery. Every veteran should have the right to be buried in a National Cemetery situated reasonably close to his home. It is not too much for the friends and the family of a deceased veteran to expect that their departed loved one will be buried within a reasonable visiting distance. Yet, this right is being ignored. There is no National Cemetery close enough for Ohio veterans to conveniently take advantage of their well-earned rights to burial in such a cemetery for themselves and their dependents. I believe that a cemetery located in Southeastern Ohio would be in everyone's best interests since there is a greater availability of land at reasonable rates in this part of Ohio. Furthermore, Mr. Chairman, a cemetery in this area could serve areas of other states bordering Ohio in this region which also do not presently have a National Cemetery in close proximity for use of their veterans. I respectfully request the expeditious and favorable consideration of my bill, H. R. 16328. CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, Hon. OLIN E. TEAGUE, Chairman, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Since it was not possible to schedule my appearance before your Special Subcommittee on Cemeteries and Burial Benefits during the hearings on cemetery administration, I am taking this means of bringing to your attention the statement which I would like to have made a part of the hearings record. Naturally, I would also appreciate your considering the matter presented in my statement. If you and your Committee feel that an exception should have properly been made in such an exceptional case as far as the Arlington National Cemetery is concerned, I would appreciate your so advising the proper authorities in my behalf. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Sincerely yours, ANCHER NELSEN, Member of Congress. STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE ANCHER NELSEN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA Recently I received a request from the family of a veteran of World War II asking that his cremated remains be buried in Arlington Cemetery. The request is a reasonable one since it was the family's idea that the burial be on the same plot with the veteran's brother who was buried in Arlington Cemetery some 20 years ago. The case is rather unusual in that the veteran who just died, Henry Reed Waugh, was the identical twin brother to the late Colonel Richard R. Waugh, an Army colonel who was buried at Arlington in 1945. Now as I understand it, new criteria have been established for burial in Arlington Cemetery and these criteria became necessary because of the space problem. In this particular case the veteran does not meet any of these new criteria and, in effect, action to allow his burial in Arlington at this time would have to take the form of granting an exception even though the request does not entail the assignment of a separate plot in the cemetery. My office made preliminary inquiry to the Office of Support Services and found that in all probability the request would not be granted. At that point I called the Office of the Secretary of the Army to further pursue what seemed to me to be an entirely reasonable request in view of the unique relationship between these two men. The Secretary's office was very cooperative in stating that every effort would be made to investigate the situation. It was requested that I address a letter to the Secretary of the Army for action purposes. I have now received a reply from the Department of the Army which again denies our request. In this reply, which I ask to be made a part of my statement at this point, it is stated that "decedent's entitlement to burial in his own right under the applicable 92-497-68-7 standards must be established." Then the next statement is that "The assignment of a grave is a secondary consideration." Now my point in all this is that a reasonable request has been made that the remains of identical twins be buried on the same plot in Arlington Cemetery. The Department of the Army then denies that request on the basis that veteran Henry Waugh does not meet the criteria for burial in the Cemetery even though no additional space would be required. I might point out that not even a headstone would be required because when a headstone for Colonel Waugh's grave was obtained some years ago, space was left on the headstone for the brother's inscription. No complications would result as the widow of Colonel Richard Waugh has long since remarried and her entitlement to interment in the Cemetery does not come into question. As I understand it, these hearings have been called by the Veterans' Affairs Committee to investigate the administration of our national cemeteries. I have asked to appear here today to bring to your attention an incident that has arisen in the administration of Arlington Cemetery by the Department of the Army. I realize that I may be too closely involved to be coldly objective, but it does seem to me that in this particular instance officials of the Department of the Army have been unduly strict in their adherence to established regulations. To have granted the exception in this case would hardly have done irreparable damage to the regulations which apply in the general sense and which I admit are very necessary because of the crowded conditions at Arlington Cemetery. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, Washington, D.C., March 21, 1968. Hon. ANCHER NELSEN, DEAR MR. NELSEN: Secretary Resor has asked that I reply to your recent letter concerning the burial of the cremated remains of the late Henry Reed Waugh, a veteran of World War II. Though he is not eligible for interment under the current Arlington standards, his family has asked for an exception in this instance since burial of the ashes would not require assignment of a separate grave. Because there was a particularly close tie in life between Mr. Waugh and his identical twin, the late Colonel Richard R. Waugh, I am more than sorry that the interment may not be authorized solely on the basis that space is available. Before a service is scheduled, the decedent's entitlement to burial in his own right under the applicable standards must be established. The assignment of a grave is a secondary consideration. I hope you will understand that the Secretary cannot in good conscience be influenced unduly by sympathetic considerations and authorize the burial of a person who does not meet the eligibility criteria. Every death is a supreme tragedy to the family concerned, and decisions in their behalf must be made impartially on the basis of published standards. I regret that circumstances in this instance preclude a favorable reply. ROBERT E. JORDAN III, CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, Hon. OLIN E. TEAGUE, Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, D.O. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C., March 26, 1968. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you for your letter of March 8th in regard to hearings presently being held by your Committee in regard to H.R. 2125 and other bills in regard to National Cemeteries. I am enclosing a statement concerning this legislation. I would greatly appreciate it if you would include this statement as part of the record. Thank you for your courtesy in this matter and for all your many past kindnesses. With every good wish, THOMAS P. O'NEILL, Jr., STATEMENT OF HON. THOMAS P. O'NEILL, JR., A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS Honorable Chairman, distinguished members of the committee, I appreciate this opportunity to speak on behalf of a measure which I consider both necessary and desirable. This Committee has worked conscientiously and with great dedication on all matters concerning Veterans. The subject of discussion today is one with which we are all concerned. The need for additional National Cemeteries is obvious to us all. The right of every veteran to be buried in a sacred place where his country can honor him is endangered by the simple lack of space in our present national cemeteries. It is essential that additional cemeteries be created so that those men who have so bravely served their country can rest in a special place, reserved for our heroes, and revered by our Nation. Because the need is so great, we must also consider where these cemeteries should be placed. I would hope that this Committee would favorably consider designating different areas around the country for National Cemeteries. In this way families and friends could pay their respects when they chose without inconvenience, and it would no longer be impossible for them to make frequent visits to the gravesite of their fathers, husbands, or sons. I hope the Committee will see fit to establish one or more National Cemeteries in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There are many beautiful, peaceful, and appropriate places in our state which could be used for a National Cemetery. The people of Massachusetts have given many of their men for the defense of their Nation, and it seems suitable to allow their dead to rest in an area that meant so much to them in life. Within the boundaries of Massachusetts lie some of the most important historical monuments and symbols of our country's heritage of freedom. From Faneuil Hall where the revolutionaries met to frame the strategy of the Revolution, to the bridge, still standing at Concord, through Lexington where Paul Revere rode, and where he lived in Boston; there's the beautiful monument at Bunker Hill in Charlestown, the symbol of our fight for freedom, and the great elm tree in Cambridge where Washington took command of the Continental Armies. A National Cemetery honoring the veterans of the area and of the country would be more than suitable here. Among the symbols and landmarks of our country's freedom would rest the heroes of her continuing independence. I realize that the Representatives of other states will present similar pleas, and that is right, of course. We all would hope that our veterans could rest in peace near their homes and their families. For this reason, I would like to present an alternative to my Bill, H.R. 2125, although I hope it is possible that this legislation be acted upon favorably. In Rindge, New Hampshire, is perhaps, the loveliest, most peaceful area on the East Coast. The Cathedral of the Pines is a monument to God, Man, and Nature. It provides natural beauty, unparalleled in the country, and a serenity that would bring solace to all. The people of the Northeast area of our country would all benefit from a National Cemetery located in Rindge. Besides the practical considerations, there are the intangible, subjective ones that can not be adequately described. Let it suffice to say that in these surroundings honor can be rendered to the dead and comfort brought to the living. I hope that this Committee will give every consideration to locating one or more national cemeteries in Massachusetts and in Rindge. Thank you. STATEMENT BY HON. EDWARD J. PATTEN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY Mr. Chairman and members of this committee, on January 30, the President's Message to the Congress include these words: "Every veteran * * * should have the right to be buried in a national cemetry situated reasonably close to his home ***." Yet that right is being ignored. Like many of my colleagues, I have often urged expansion of the national cemetery system, because more land is needed to accommodate veterans and members of their families after death. Finally, after over 4 years of meetings, studies and planning the Defense Department announced on February 10, 1967, that Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, N.J., would be expanded by 10 acres. More than 1 year has passed since that announcement, but nothing has been done by the Defense Department to acquire those 10 acres and provide for mounting needs. Federal funds amounting to $643,000 for 32 additional acres at five different national cemeteries were appropriated by Congress in 1967-but that money has not been spent. I believe that it should-and so do the millions of members of the nation's three main veterans organizations-The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans. I have also received hundreds of letters from constituents, urging that enough national cemetery land be provided. One of these letters-from the president of a Veterans' Ladies Auxiliary in Colonia, N.J., summarized this strong feeling: "It's very little to ask for the boys and men who sacrificed so much for a better nation and world." These 10 additional acres at Beverly-to provide for 6,000 more grave siteswill only take care of present grave site requirements. I hope, therefore, that this committee will decide that a new policy should be adopted for future needs. The last hearings were held in 1962 and since then, it has been obvious to me and many others, that hearings, reflecting current views, should change the existing policy on national cemetery matters. I believe that by transferring the authority to investigate and study the establishment, operation and maintenance of national cemeteries from the Interior and Insular Affairs Committee to the Veterans' Affairs Committee, this disturbing problem will finally receive the attention, action and solution it deserves. Our veterans protected us when our freedom was threatened by tyranny, so we must not forget them-in life or death. (Please include this statement in the official hearings.) STATEMENT BY HON. CLAUDE PEPPER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA Mr. Chairman: I speak in support of legislation to create a unified and allencompassing Veterans Cemetries Act. The legislation embodies the proposals set forth in the U.S. Advisory Commision Report on Veterans Benefits which would restore the original and true significance of veterans burial rights. First of those propositions is that the entire Federal cemetery function, with exception of famous monuments and tombs, be assigned to the Veterans' Administration. Second, that, without delay, the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs conduct a study on methods of providing burial grounds for all veterans convenient to their homes; Third, that the Administrator establish uniform criteria for eligibility for burial in the Federal cemetery system: Fourth, that Arlington National Cemetery be reopend to all eligible veterans ; Fifth, that the burial allowance for veterans be increased to $400, $100 of which shall be reserved for payment toward a gravesite for those not buried in national cemeteries; Sixth, that the burial allowance not be denied to any veteran because of the existence of any other burial or death benefit, public or private. I have framed the legislation so that the first provisions regulate operation and maintenance. Here concerned are such diverse and specific matters as keeping of the register and the placement and position of headstones. The next part is a unification of the presently disorganized rules governing entitlement to burial. The rules now vary according to the locality and administration of the cemetery. For instance, cemeteries at military installations are generally reserved for soldiers who were on active duty at the installation at the time of death. In accordance with the proposition first stated, that all Federal cemeteries with very few exceptions come under the control of the Veterans' Administration, any honorably discharged veteran of the Armed Services would be |