Rep. Calvert Introduces Bill Supporting Gold Star Families
Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) reintroduced legislation, H. Con. Res 5, in support of Gold Star families throughout the United States.
"The families of our fallen soldiers have paid a tremendous sacrifice on behalf of our country, and the very least we can do as a nation is to provide them with the support they need and deserve," said Rep. Calvert. "Private organizations and the larger military community do an amazing job providing valuable resources for Gold Star families in the aftermath of the loss of a loved one. Congress and the Executive Branch must continually look at new ways to support these families both in the days immediately following the tragedy and the years to come."
The resolution introduced by Rep. Calvert encourages military bases around the country to organize and host events to recognize and commemorate the sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces. The resolution also encourages the attendance of families within the local area that have lost loved ones in combat to attend such commemorations.
Since the start of the Global War on Terrorism more than 6,800 members of the Armed Forces have been killed.
The Resolution is named in honor of U.S. Army Sergeant Clinton Ruiz who was killed in action in Afghanistan on October 25, 2012.
Below is the actual text of the resolution:
Expressing the sense of Congress regarding outreach to families of members of the Armed Forces killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in other conflicts.
Whereas the human burden of the Global War on Terrorism has been disproportionately borne by the less than one percent of Americans who serve in the military;
Whereas 2,356 members of the Armed Forces have died in Operation Enduring Freedom and 4,494 members of the Armed Forces have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Inherent Resolve as of January 7, 2015;
Whereas the strength of our military is built upon the men and women who serve in uniform and the families who support them; and
Whereas supporting those families who have lost loved ones in the Global War on Terrorism demonstrates the commitment of the American people to those families now and in the future: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This resolution may be cited as the ‘‘Sergeant Clinton K. Ruiz Memorial Resolution''.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING FAMILIES THAT HAVE LOST LOVED ONES IN COMBAT.
(1) all families that have lost loved ones in uniform should be recognized for their sacrifices and for their dedicated and patriotic support of the United States;
(2) local communities should recognize and support those families that have lost a loved one in combat; and
(3) the President should encourage military bases around the country to organize and host events to recognize and commemorate the sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces of all services, and to encourage the attendance of families within the local area that have lost loved ones in combat to attend such commemorations.
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