Dear Friends,

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two important pieces of legislation - one of which will ensure the proper burial of our veterans and another which modernizes emergency communication in times of crises.

The first, known as the Veterans Fiduciary Reform and Honoring Noble Service Act (H.R. 5948), includes language, which I introduced, to provide caskets and urns for deceased veterans with no next of kin. This language was a result of a discovery that Pvt. Lawrence Davis Jr., a World War II veteran with no next of kin, was buried in a cardboard box at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

Our Nation’s heroes deserve to be buried the same way they served this country – with dignity and honor. By ensuring our veterans receive proper burial upon their passing, we are not only recognizing their brave service to our country, but also the selfless sacrifices our service men and women and their families make to protect the freedoms and values we enjoy as citizens of this great country.

Next, the House passed the FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2012 (H.R. 2903) to make FEMA assistance to states and local communities more effective. The bill, which I spoke in support of (video below), also activates a system of alerts and warnings through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, or IPAWS. Emergency management officials, including officials in Florida, have stressed the value and importance of IPAWS, and I’m pleased to have been able to work with my colleagues to incorporate some of the provisions I identified as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications into this important piece of legislation.

Video: Congressman Bilirakis Speaks on FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2012 

In a hurricane-prone state, like Florida, timely emergency alerts and warnings are essential to protecting residents in times of crises.

While there is still much to be done to put this country back on track, I remain committed to working with my colleagues to address important issues, like these, to create a better and brighter future for all Americans.

Sincerely,



Gus Bilirakis
Member of Congress

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