I got this in my e-mail and I thought I would post this here. For those that aren't in favor please keep your comments out, but for those that are here is a link and the e-mail. Thanks.
http://www.mikerogers.house.gov/default.aspx
Contact: Press Secretary Sylvia Warner 03/23/06Phone:
202-225-4872 Rogers: On-Line Petition Supports Ban on Funeral
Protests
Thursday, March 23, 2006 – Americans who believe that U.S. soldiers
killed in combat deserve a dignified funeral and a time for family and
friends to mourn in peace, can help make that possible.
“America honors and respects our soldiers, and none more than
those who die defending freedom and our nation,” said U.S. Rep. Mike
Rogers, MI-08, who is introducing federal legislation banning
protestors
from military funerals. “We are asking citizens to help protect the
funerals of those soldiers and their mourners from the disrespect of
protestors who disrupt funeral and burial services and add to the pain of
losing a loved one.”
Rogers’ legislation, the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes
Act, would ban demonstrations at funerals in national cemeteries. It
also
urges all 50 states to adopt similar laws for all military funerals.
Giving citizens an opportunity to participate in the process
and support the legislation, Rogers is launching an on-line petition
today. The petition will allow citizens to express honor and respect
for
our American soldiers who make the ultimate sacrifice for the nation,
as
well as support for the people they love and leave behind.
The petition and comments from citizens will be presented to
the House Veterans Affairs Committee at an April 6 hearing in
Washington.
Petitions can be signed at www.mikerogers.house.gov beginning today.
Rogers drafted the legislation after attending the funeral of a
Michigan soldier who died of combat wounds suffered in Iraq.
Protestors attempted to disrupt the funeral by shouting vile and
harassing
slogans at the family and other mourners.
“No family burying a son or daughter, a husband or wife, a
brother or sister, should be faced with the insults, verbal attacks,
and
intimidation that these protestors were screaming or displaying on
signs,” said Rogers, a former soldier and brother of an active duty
soldier.
“At first it made me very angry, but then I quickly realized that we
must do something to stop it, and that is what this legislation will
do,
it will make it illegal to show disrespect, or harass the funeral of a
soldier and his or her family and friends.”
The measure bans protests 60 minutes before, during, or 60
minutes after the service, and requires that any such protests must
stay at least 500 feet from the funeral site.
Co-sponsors for the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act
include Rep. Steve Buyer of Indiana, chairman of the House Veterans’
Affairs Committee, and Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, ranking member on
the Committee.
http://www.mikerogers.house.gov/default.aspx
Contact: Press Secretary Sylvia Warner 03/23/06Phone:
202-225-4872 Rogers: On-Line Petition Supports Ban on Funeral
Protests
Thursday, March 23, 2006 – Americans who believe that U.S. soldiers
killed in combat deserve a dignified funeral and a time for family and
friends to mourn in peace, can help make that possible.
“America honors and respects our soldiers, and none more than
those who die defending freedom and our nation,” said U.S. Rep. Mike
Rogers, MI-08, who is introducing federal legislation banning
protestors
from military funerals. “We are asking citizens to help protect the
funerals of those soldiers and their mourners from the disrespect of
protestors who disrupt funeral and burial services and add to the pain of
losing a loved one.”
Rogers’ legislation, the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes
Act, would ban demonstrations at funerals in national cemeteries. It
also
urges all 50 states to adopt similar laws for all military funerals.
Giving citizens an opportunity to participate in the process
and support the legislation, Rogers is launching an on-line petition
today. The petition will allow citizens to express honor and respect
for
our American soldiers who make the ultimate sacrifice for the nation,
as
well as support for the people they love and leave behind.
The petition and comments from citizens will be presented to
the House Veterans Affairs Committee at an April 6 hearing in
Washington.
Petitions can be signed at www.mikerogers.house.gov beginning today.
Rogers drafted the legislation after attending the funeral of a
Michigan soldier who died of combat wounds suffered in Iraq.
Protestors attempted to disrupt the funeral by shouting vile and
harassing
slogans at the family and other mourners.
“No family burying a son or daughter, a husband or wife, a
brother or sister, should be faced with the insults, verbal attacks,
and
intimidation that these protestors were screaming or displaying on
signs,” said Rogers, a former soldier and brother of an active duty
soldier.
“At first it made me very angry, but then I quickly realized that we
must do something to stop it, and that is what this legislation will
do,
it will make it illegal to show disrespect, or harass the funeral of a
soldier and his or her family and friends.”
The measure bans protests 60 minutes before, during, or 60
minutes after the service, and requires that any such protests must
stay at least 500 feet from the funeral site.
Co-sponsors for the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act
include Rep. Steve Buyer of Indiana, chairman of the House Veterans’
Affairs Committee, and Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, ranking member on
the Committee.