[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E889]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E889]]
                   MILITARY FAMILY PEACE OF MIND ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. WALTER B. JONES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2003

  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my dear 
friend from California, Mr. Gallegly, to introduce the Military Family 
Peace of Mind Act. We believe this is simple, but important legislation 
for the loved ones of military personnel who have died in the service 
of our nation.
  It goes without saying that the loss of a loved one is difficult no 
matter what the situation. Despite knowing the potential risks 
associated with the military service of their family member, the burden 
can be even more difficult when it occurs suddenly such as when our men 
and women are killed on the field of battle. Families need time to 
grieve for their loved ones and that need is particularly acute when 
the spouse or parent of one of our fallen heroes must tell dependent 
children of the loss. Unfortunately the process for providing notice to 
the media about military personnel killed allows for that critical time 
to grieve.
  The current process for notifying next of kin about the loss of their 
cherished family member falls to the individual services. Once the 
casualty assistance officer of the respective service notifies the 
family members, the officer then forwards notice of the visit to the 
Office of Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, who in turn promptly 
issues a release to the media identifying the individual. Although this 
is done with an eye towards providing full and open access to 
information about military operations as practical, we have heard from 
family members that this notification has actually resulted in swarms 
of media harassing family members trying to get a story. One spouse 
commented that she had had little time to grieve because her entire 
energies were being spent trying to fend off aggressive press 
inquiries. The need for open access to information aside, that is no 
way to respect a family who has just learned that their spouse, son, or 
daughter was killed while defending our country.
  It is true the Department of Defense does not and cannot control the 
conduct of members of the media, but actions can be taken to help these 
grieving families. One specific step that can be taken is to implement 
a minimum 24-hour delay from the time a casualty assistance officer 
notifies the next of kin about their loss until the time that name is 
released to the media and the public. A 24-hour delay would not 
unreasonably impair the public's access to information about military 
activities, but could provide an immeasurable amount of relief to those 
who have endured the loss. That is what this bill seeks to do.
  Mr. Speaker, these families have already paid the ultimate sacrifice 
for our country's freedom. A 24-hour waiting period prior to public 
notification is not too much for the families of our fallen heroes to 
ask of us.

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