WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) introduced three amendments to the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to support the needs of Arkansans.

“The role of the federal government is to defend our nation. NDAA is essential to providing our men and women in uniform with the resources they need to achieve their missions and defend our national security. I’m proud to introduce these amendments to make the federal government work for Arkansans,” Boozman said.

Boozman introduced the following amendments:

Honoring Guard and Reserve Members as Veterans Amendment – The amendment would allow Guard and Reserve retirees who served honorably for 20 years or more, but do not meet the active duty service requirements, to be considered a veteran.

Impact of Air National Guard Mission Changes to Joint Civilian/Military use Airports – The amendment would require a report detailing the number of Air National Guard units that have undergone a mission change in the past five years and who are tenants at a public airport. This is necessary to make sure local airports are reimbursed a reasonable share for the wear-and-tear that comes from military use.

Return Mountain Meadows Massacre Victim Remains – This amendment requires the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) facilitate the relocation of the human cranium in the museum’s possession associated with the Mountain Meadows Massacre for proper internment at the Mountain Meadows gravesite in southern Utah.

Most of the victims of this 1857 massacre were from Arkansas. Following these murders, the Army buried the remains, however a child’s skull from this murder is at the NMHM. This amendment would authorize the Army to return this artifact to the burial site.