WASHINGTON- Representative Collin C. Peterson, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and Representatives Betty McCollum, Tom Emmer, Ilhan Omar, Pete Stauber, Angie Craig, Dean Phillips and Jim Hagedorn sent a letter to President Trump calling for a non-presidential state funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. 

"A non-presidential state funeral would serve as a distinguished recognition to those who received the Medal of Honor during World War II and all 16 million American men and women who served in uniform during the conflict, including 326,000 Minnesotans," the members wrote.

The full text of the letter can be found below:

President Donald J. Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, D.C. 20500

 

Dear Mr. President,

 

The Minnesota delegation is writing you to add our support in calling for a non-presidential state funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. This would serve as a distinguished recognition to those who received the Medal of Honor during World War II and all 16 million American men and women who served in uniform during the conflict, including 326,000 Minnesotans.

 

Minnesotans made significant contributions to support our troops serving overseas. Minnesota families and their neighbors enlisted, worked farms, and processed food which fed soldiers in the European and Pacific Theatres. They also went to manufacturing plants to make planes, tanks, and ships that the Allied powers needed to achieve victory. Veterans across the state have told us that a non-presidential state funeral would help honor the legacy of those who fought and made sacrifices during the war.

 

Ten Minnesotans received the Medal of Honor for their heroic and selfless acts during World War II. Those names include:

           

Bianchi, Willibald C. (New Ulm, MN)                                              Colalillo, Mike (Duluth, MN)

Courtney, Henry Alexius, Jr. (Duluth, MN)                              Fleming, Richard E. (St. Paul, MN)

Hauge, Louis James, Jr. (Ada, MN)                                       Hawks, Lloyd C. (Park Rapids, MN)

Kraus, Richard Edward (Minnesota)                   LaBelle, James Dennis (Columbia Heights, MN)

Rudolph, Donald E. (Minneapolis, MN)                                  Sorenson, Richard K. (Anoka, MN)

 

As members of the Minnesota Congressional delegation, we ask that you take preparations to declare a non-presidential state funeral so our nation may reflect and honor all the American servicemembers who served during World War II.

 

Sincerely,