NEWS FROM….

CONGRESSMAN LANE EVANS

RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER

COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

    U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Washington – Congressman Lane Evans of Illinois, the Ranking Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, spoke today on behalf of legislation to enable employees who are members of reserve components a leave of absence for participation in an honor guard for the funeral of a veteran. "As one of the House authors of the law that mandated standards for honor guard participation in the funerals of veterans, I believe this bill will help our nation live up to its commitment to our veterans," said Evans.

"It is sad when a veteran of military service dies," Evans noted. "Often his or her family wants a simple honor guard to accompany that service. It is sadder still when no such honor guard can be provided."

H.R. 284 would make provision for such an honor guard without requiring the Department of Defense to send active duty personnel for the task. Members of the reserve components, veterans themselves, could volunteer to provide honors.

"This is a bipartisan effort to honor our Nation's veterans and their families for their sacrifices," Evans said. "I am proud to be an original co-sponsor."