Congressman Barney Frank
Representing Massachusetts' 4th District

Frank's Bill to Help Parents of Fallen Vets Advances in the House
October 21, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Veterans Affairs Committee voted in favor of legislation that would allow parents of certain deceased veterans to be buried with their loved ones in U.S. Military cemeteries.

The bill, the Corey Shea Act, was introduced earlier this year by Congressman Barney Frank in response to a request made by Mrs. Denise Anderson of Mansfield, whose son Army Specialist Corey Shea was killed in Mosul, Iraq during November of 2008.

Congressman John Hall, Chairman of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, moved the legislation forward quickly, holding a hearing on October 8th, and putting the bill to a vote on October 21st.  The legislation passed the Subcommittee today by a unanimous vote.

"I am grateful to Chairman Filner and Subcommittee Chairman Hall for moving this legislation quickly,” said Congressman Frank.  “I will work with leadership to help bring this bill to a vote on the House floor.  This legislation is a testament to the devotion of Mrs. Anderson, whose personal commitment will help veterans' families across the country."

“Congressman Frank righted a wrong when he introduced this bill to ensure that Mrs. Anderson’s request would be a certainty for her and other parents like her,” said Congressman John Hall.  “I am proud this bill will now be entitled the Corey Shea Act to honor the sacrifice made by Mrs. Anderson’s son.”

According to current law, only spouses or minor children of deceased veterans may be buried in the same plot as their loved ones in national military cemeteries, unless special permission is granted by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.  Spc. Shea lost his life at the age of 21, leaving behind no surviving spouse or minor children. 

The US Department of Veterans Affairs denied the request of Shea’s mother, Denise Anderson, to be allowed to be buried with her son.  Mrs. Anderson asked Congressman Frank if he would help change the law to allow parents of deceased veterans to be interred with their adult children if the veteran has no living spouse or minor children.

Earlier this month, Mrs. Anderson traveled to Washington, D.C. to testify in favor of the bill before the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee.  Her testimony, along with that of Congressman Frank who also appeared before the Committee, is printed below.

The bill passed by the Subcommittee today grants parents of deceased veterans the right to be buried with their children if the veteran has no living spouse or minor children.  The legislation stipulates this does not cause any veteran to be displaced.  The bill covers veterans who died in battle or in preparation for battle, and it includes either biological or adoptive parents.

The legislation will next come before the full Veterans Committee for a vote and, if the bill passes, will move to the House floor. 

Click here for text of the legislation