3/29/2006
Washington, D.C.
Press Releases

Congressman Reyes is the lead Democratic cosponsor of bipartisan bill to ensure that families can hold dignified funerals for late servicemembers.

Bipartisan legislation to ensure that families of those who have died serving our nation can hold dignified funerals for their loved ones was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today. Congressman Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, is the lead Democratic co-sponsor of the bill, known as the Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act.

Organized protests have recently taken place throughout the United States at funerals of soldiers killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Some protestors have used signs that read “Thank God for IED’s” and “Thank God for Dead Soldiers.”

“It is sad that such legislation is needed, but protestors have been malicious and hateful to the families of service members who died while serving our nation,” said Reyes, a Vietnam veteran. “These families are bearing the brunt of this war, and this bill is necessary to protect their peace and dignity during their time of great loss and personal tragedy.”

“There has to be a sense of decency,” said Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI), the lead sponsor of the bill. “America has a responsibility to ensure that the families of our fallen heroes can grieve in peace and with dignity. Rep. Reyes, as a veteran and a strong advocate for America's military men and women, recognizes that and is a great ally in helping us give families that assurance.”

The Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act would:

• Ban all demonstrations 60 minutes prior to and after funerals taking place at Department of Veterans Affairs’ national cemeteries or the Department of Army’s Arlington National Cemetery (the only areas over which the federal government maintains jurisdiction);

• Impose a 500-foot restriction on demonstrations at national cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery;

(over)

• Allow for a civil infraction for violations, including monetary fines and/or jail time of six
months to a year, as consistent with the authority granted to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under current regulation; and

• Express the sense of Congress that all states should enact similar bans for state and private cemeteries, as well as funeral homes.

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Kira Maas
(202) 225-4831