March 03, 2011

Manchin Statement on Boehner's Wrong-Headed Refusal to Allow WWI Veteran Buckles to Lie in State

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) released the following statement after Speaker John Boehner refused to allow the country’s last World War I veteran, Frank Buckles, to be honored by lying in state in the U.S. Capitol.

“It is unconscionable that Speaker Boehner would deny this honor to the last living American veteran of World War I,” Senator Manchin said. “Frank Buckles was the standard-bearer of a great cause, and spent the last years of his long life fighting to make sure that our country pays proper tribute to all World War I veterans. Now it is our turn to fight to make sure our country honors him – and all the World War I veterans for whom he fought – with the highest degree of respect.

“I urge Speaker Boehner to reconsider this ill-advised decision.”

Senator Manchin joined Senator Jay Rockefeller, who led the West Virginia delegation in sponsoring a measure to honor Buckles by lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda.

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