Bill Overview
Title: Headstones for Honor Act
Description: This bill expands eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs headstones or markers for unmarked graves (or graves in private cemeteries) of specified individuals, including enslaved individuals who served in the Armed Forces in lieu of another individual or those who performed a military function while prohibited from serving as a member of the Armed Forces on the basis of race, gender, sex, or ethnicity.
Sponsors: Rep. Brown, Anthony G. [D-MD-4]
Target Audience
Population: Unmarked graves of individuals eligible for VA headstones or markers under the Headstones for Honor Act
Estimated Size: 45000
- The bill is targeted towards individuals who were previously ineligible for Department of Veterans Affairs headstones or markers.
- It includes enslaved individuals who served in the Armed Forces in lieu of another individual.
- Those who performed military functions but were prohibited from officially serving due to race, gender, sex, or ethnicity are also included.
- The Act addresses not only Civil War-era unmarked graves but potentially could extend to those in any war or engagement where individuals were denied formal service status due to discrimination.
- Estimating the precise global population is complex due to historical record limitations, especially relating to enslaved individuals and those denied formal military service roles.
Reasoning
- The target population for the policy includes individuals who were historically denied military honors due to discrimination, such as enslaved persons or others prohibited from serving due to race. This group is historically significant but difficult to precisely enumerate due to incomplete records.
- A large portion of the target population may no longer have living relatives who are aware of their service, potentially limiting the initial uptake of the policy.
- The budget allows for the installation of a significant number of headstones or markers in the first year, which could gradually increase over the decade as awareness and administrative capabilities expand.
- Self-reported wellbeing improvements from this policy are likely to center around renewed recognition of historical injustices, potentially leading to improved wellbeing scores for descendants or communities rather than the individuals themselves.
- The population affected may include family members or communities connected to these individuals, with potential indirect benefits via educational and commemorative enhancements.
- Implementing such a policy addresses historical injustices and acknowledges the contributions of previously unrecognized veterans, which can have a broad cultural impact in terms of healing and reconciliation.
Simulated Interviews
Retired Teacher (Charleston, SC)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a meaningful acknowledgment of my ancestor's contributions. It brings a sense of closure and pride to my family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Historian (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could vastly improve public knowledge and appreciation of African American historical contributions. It could bolster historical research as well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Community Organizer (Mobile, AL)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Honoring those who served without acknowledgment changes the narrative of our history for the better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Municipal Workers Union Representative (Detroit, MI)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative is something our community has been advocating for a long time. It’ll make a significant difference to descendants.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Museum Curator (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could enhance our military history exhibits and educate visitors on untold stories.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Graduate Student (Austin, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy reflects an important step towards acknowledging historical injustices and promoting reparative history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Military Veteran Advocate (New York, NY)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally getting the deserved recognition is satisfying. This could foster healing in our communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Policy Analyst (Washington DC)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Providing headstones for those previously ignored by history is a vital form of justice and recognition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Public School Administrator (Chicago, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This addresses unjust voids in history education and could enhance our curriculum in unexpected ways.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Civil Rights Lawyer (Birmingham, AL)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing this policy implemented even late in life is a victory for equality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3600000 (Low: $3000000, High: $4200000)
Year 2: $3600000 (Low: $3000000, High: $4200000)
Year 3: $3600000 (Low: $3000000, High: $4200000)
Year 5: $3600000 (Low: $3000000, High: $4200000)
Year 10: $3600000 (Low: $3000000, High: $4200000)
Year 100: $3600000 (Low: $3000000, High: $4200000)
Key Considerations
- Identifying eligible unmarked graves will require comprehensive historical research, increasing administrative costs.
- The bill addresses historical injustices, providing social and cultural value beyond its monetary cost.
- The cost per headstone includes administrative, manufacturing, and placement expenses.