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For Immediate
Release
4/12/11
Senate Passes Bill to Authorize Honor
Guard for Military Burials at Washington Crossing National Cemetery
The State Senate approved legislation yesterday sponsored by state Senator
Robert M. "Tommy" Tomlinson (R-Bucks) and Senator Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks) to
allow for formal military burials for veteran soldiers at Washington Crossing
National Cemetery in Bucks County.
Current law does not provide for honor guard burial details at Washington
Crossing National Cemetery because it is a new cemetery. Only Indiantown Gap
National Cemetery in Lebanon County and National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in
Washington County are authorized for such burials.
Senator Tomlinson's bill,
Senate Bill 264, will expand the authority of the Pennsylvania Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs to provide this honor and burial allowance to
veterans buried at Washington Crossing.
"I am pleased the Senate overwhelming supported this legislation to ensure
that veterans interred at Washington Crossing will receive military honors,"
said Tomlinson, who serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency
Preparedness Committee. "This is an important step in ensuring that area
veterans will receive the honor that they and their families deserve."
"The Washington Crossing National Cemetery will provide Bucks County families
with a way to provide a lasting tribute to some of our bravest citizens,"
McIlhinney said. "I am thankful that we are another step closer to allowing
military burials in an area that will not create a serious hardship for family
and friends who wish to pay their respects."
Senate Bill 264 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Contact:
Megan Crompton, Sen. Tomlinson
717-787-5072
Heather Cevasco, Sen. McIlhinney
215-489-5000
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