Rep. Kelly Joins House Leaders to Call for Reopening of National Memorials

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WASHINGTON — Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) joined members of House Leadership today at a press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building to highlight House legislation to provide funding for national parks, memorials, and museums. Also in attendance were House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Conference Vice Chair Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), and Conference Policy Chairman James Lankford (R-OK), as well as Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) and Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-MS). Video of the full press conference can be viewed here.

Highlights from Rep. Kelly’s remarks:

“Three weeks ago, there were three buses that came from Western Pennsylvania, and I was able to take them to the [Arlington] cemetery, and they laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Now when you see those people’s faces, these are older folks. We had two World War II vets, the tears running down their face — not tears of sadness, but tears of remembrance of all those who gave their lives.”

“I would like you, the country, to know something: We never went to any of these wars as just Republicans or just Democrats. We went as Americans. These properties [parks and memorials] belong to the American people. They do not belong to a political party. There is no reason to ever shut those folks out from that. … To shut those down now? To put up barricades to keep them away from their greatest accomplishments is an absolute sin.”


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