HI HR195

Urges U.S. Congress and Department of Veterans Affairs to allow third parties with appropriate documentation to order government headstones for unmarked veteran graves.

References Private J.R. Kealoha, a Civil War veteran in the 41st Regiment U.S. Colored Troops whose grave at Oahu Cemetery is unmarked.

Notes that Congress approved furnishing headstones for unmarked veterans' graves in private cemeteries in 1879, with the VA providing them free to eligible applicants.

Identifies that a 2009 policy (Code of Federal Regulations §38.632, effective 2012) restricted headstone applications to only the deceased veteran's next of kin or authorized representatives, eliminating third-party ordering.

Directs that certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate, Speaker of the House, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and Hawaii's Congressional delegation.