Meehan Pushes Bill Through to Give Citizenship to Fallen Veterans
By Randy Trick
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2002–A classic case of a constituent asking a congressman for a new law played out here Thursday, as the House passed a bill by Rep. Marty Meehan to give posthumous citizenship to veterans of the Korean War.
Members of the Massachusetts chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish American fraternal group, approached Meehan and two other Democratic congressmen from Massachusetts – Barney Frank of Newton and James McGovern of Worcester – asking if they could do something for Irishmen who died serving in the Korean War but were not yet citizens.
Now the Lowell Democrat has made his constituents proud.
“We’re entirely grateful,” said David R Burke, vice president of the Lawrence chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. “We sure know this will bring comfort to the families.”
It took little effort by the Hibernians to convince Meehan, Frank and McGovern to push the bill. After the bill was introduced, Meehan and the initial co-sponsors found over 60 other lawmakers to sign onto the bill, and it passed the House Thursday with over 400 votes. It has yet to see Senate action.
The bill is an important way to recognize the sacrifices made by foreign soldiers, Meehan said.
“Through this nation’s history immigrants seeking a better life in America felt the call to serve our military,” Meehan said. “It’s very important recognition.”
The legislation, which passed as part of the Department of Justice Authorization Act, would give families of any veteran killed without citizenship two years to apply for posthumous citizenship. A previous law expired in 1992, and Meehan’s bill reopens the window for applications.
The law, if signed by President Bush, would apply to any veteran from anywhere, not just Ireland, and has the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
According to Burke, there are about a half-dozen Irish from Massachusetts killed in the line of duty in the Korean War who were unable to be given posthumous citizenship. Nationwide, 15 Irish families are expected to seek citizenship for their relatives, with hundreds more from other nationalities expected.
Published in The Lawrence Eagle Tribune, in Massachusetts.
