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Washington, DC- Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4), today supported bills to reopen national parks and provide funding for the National Institutes of Health.  Palazzo also  welcomed a White House reversal on a policy that would have prevented World War II veterans  with Honor Flights from accessing the World War II Memorial during the government closure. 

“The House will continue working to pass bills like these that fund vital functions on which most Americans can agree,” Palazzo stated. “I’m also glad to see that the Administration appears to be reversing course and granting access to Honor Flights visiting the World War II Memorial. Hundreds of World War II veterans have been eagerly awaiting assurance that they will be able to safely visit their Memorial. If ever there were a group that deserve access to their Memorial, it is these members of the Greatest Generation.”

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight was the first Honor Flight group to travel to Washington following the midnight October 1^st government shutdown. After making multiple inquiries to National Park Service officials, the Department of Interior, and the White House, Palazzo’s office received responses indicating that barricades would be present and that no one would be allowed to access the park. When specifically pressed about the accessibility for Honor Flight groups, officials gave no assurances that any of the week’s Honor Flights would be permitted access, instead stating that the barricade measures were “the result of a shutdown.”  

After park personnel on site at the Memorial Tuesday morning confirmed they would be unable to move barricades, Congressman Palazzo was joined by Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6), Congressman Richard Nugent (FL- 11), and Congressman Louie Gohmert (TX-1) in clearing a path and leading the group of veterans down into the Memorial. Other Members of Congress were also on hand to escort veterans into the Memorial, including most of Mississippi’s congressional delegation.

As of Wednesday morning, following further requests, the Obama Administration remained unable to provide assurances that additional Honor Flights would be granted access.  A statement released Wednesday afternoon by a National Park Service spokeswoman appeared to grant access to other Honor Flight groups expected to travel to Washington later this week.

A copy of the letter sent to President Obama is attached.

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