Washington, May 21 -

U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) today announced the introduction of his bill, the Missing in America Act.  The bill he wrote would help give all veterans a proper burial and internment in a National Cemetery.

“It’s easy for the remains of veterans to slip through the cracks,” said Congressman Tiberi.  “If there is no next of kin identified, these former military service members’ remains are often kept indefinitely at funeral homes, literally sitting on a shelf.  This bill would help veterans service organizations identify these remains, and if proven to be qualifying veterans, ensure a proper burial in a National Cemetery.  Someone who served their country in the military deserves the respect of a burial; they stepped up and answered the Nation’s call, it time for the nation to repay that debt.”

This bill would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to work with veterans service organizations and other groups, like the Missing in America Project, in assisting entities in possession of unidentified or abandoned remains in determining if the remains are that of a veteran eligible for burial at a National Cemetery.  If remains are determined to be that of an eligible veteran, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall cover the cost of burial, if the Secretary determines there is no next of kin and there are no available resources to cover burial and funeral expenses.  In addition, the bill would call on the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a public database of the veterans identified in this project.

Ohio State Representative Kevin Bacon (R-Minerva Park) plans to pursue complimentary legislation at the state level.