FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 17, 1997 | CONTACT: RANDY SWANSON
405/231-5511 |
STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN FRANK LUCAS - R/OK 6 ON MILITARY BURIAL (THE ALFRED P. MURRAH FEDERAL BUILDING IS IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT OF OKLHAOMA)
"THE ELIGIBILITY OF TIMOTHY MCVEIGH TO BE BURIED IN ONE OF OUR NATION'S MILITARY CEMETERIES HAS RECENTLY BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. A MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF 168 INNOCENT PEOPLE DESERVES NO SUCH HONOR.
"WE CONTINUE TO BREAK NEW GROUND IN THIS CASE, FIRST WITH CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION AND HABEAS CORPUS REFORM, THEN WITH VICTIM IMPACT TESTIMONY LEGISLATION, AND NOW WITH THIS ISSUE.
"EVEN THOUGH CONGRESS HAS DRAMATICALLY CUT DOWN THE APPEALS PROCESS, WE STILL HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO AMEND THIS DISHEARTENING REALITY.
"I AM WORKING WITH CONGRESSMAN SPENCER BACHUS OF ALABAMA TO PUT TOGETHER LEGISLATION THAT COULD HELP REMEDY THE DISTASTEFUL PROSPECT OF BURYING AN INDIVIDUAL GUILTY OF COMMITTING A CAPITAL CRIME WITH MILITARY HONORS OR IN CEMETERIES DESIGNATED FOR OUR NATION'S HEROES.
"THE NATION CAN BE SURE THAT I WILL WORK TO SEE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WHO PUTS HIM TO DEATH WILL NOT THEN PROVIDE MILITARY HONORS AT HIS BURIAL."
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