Military veteran introduces Final Honors Act allowing service members killed in action to lie in state at U.S. Capitol, proposing Specialist Beckstrom be the first.
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IremembereverymilitaryfuneralIhavebeentovividly:eachcrackofthegunsalute,theslow,solemnhumoftaps,thecrispfoldingoftheflagandbeinghandedtoafamilymemberwiththewords,“onbehalfofagratefulnation.”Iknowthereisnothingwe,asanation,candotorepaythedebt,butIknowthereissomethingwecandototrulyshowhowgratefulweareasanation.
That’swhyIhaveputforthlegislation,theFinalHonorsAct, allowinganyU.S.servicememberkilledinaction(KIA)tolieinstatebeneaththedomeoftheU.S.Capitol.ThishonorallowsAmericanstopayfinaltributetothosewhohaveservedournation.Thetraditiondatesbackto1852,whenHenryClay—theseventhspeakerofthehouseandsecretaryofStatetoPresidentJohnQuincyAdams—firstreceivedtherecognition.Sincethen,just46individualshavelaininstateorhonor,includingformerpresidents,civilrightsactivistRosaParksandCapitolpoliceofficerskilledinthelineofduty.
Everymember
