Florida Rep. Mast Seeks Capitol Honor for Six Fallen Airmen

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) introduced a resolution this month to authorize the use of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda for the lying in state of six Air Force service members, a rare honor historically reserved for presidents and the most distinguished public figures in American history.

H.Con.Res. 79, introduced in the 119th Congress, names Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, Technical Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, and Technical Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons. The House Committee on House Administration received the resolution on March 18, 2026, according to public records.

For Treasure Coast residents — home to a large and active military and veteran community across Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties — the resolution carries direct weight. The region's veterans organizations, Gold Star families, and the thousands of active-duty and retired military personnel who have settled along Florida's Treasure Coast regard Capitol lying-in-state honors as among the most solemn recognitions the nation can bestow. Mast, an Army combat veteran who lost both legs in Afghanistan, represents FL-21, which covers Martin and St. Lucie counties.

The lying in state of a military member in the Capitol Rotunda is exceedingly rare. Congress has authorized the honor for fewer than 40 individuals in U.S. history, the vast majority of them presidents and senior civilian officials. If passed by both chambers, Mast's resolution would mark a significant expansion of that tradition to honor the six named airmen.

No statement from Mast's office explaining the circumstances of the service members' deaths was included in the public record as of this filing. The resolution requires concurrent passage by both the House and Senate to take effect. The House Committee on House Administration must act on the resolution before it can advance to a full House vote.

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