Washington, DC– Rep. Pete Olson (R-Sugar Land) today issued the following statement requesting a full accounting from the Houston National Cemetery regarding reports of censorship in the use of prayer and the word God during funeral services:

"Recent media reports raising concerns with alleged censorship of certain words during funeral services at Houston National Cemetery are deeply troubling. There is no room in America for censorship and certainly no place for it in a private military funeral. The First Amendment is an important component of the liberty provided by our military service members."

"The Houston National Cemetery has an obligation to be forthright in responding to these allegations and provide a full accounting of any policy changes that might have been implemented.  I look forward to their response to clear up this matter as quickly as possible."

###

Contact: Melissa Kelly, 202-225-5951