[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 85 (Thursday, May 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION AMENDING THE FEDERAL CHARTER OF THE GOLD 
                               STAR WIVES

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                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2008

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation that will amend the Federal charter of the Gold Star Wives 
of America to allow their officers to fully participate in the 
legislative process. This is a change that is long overdue and releases 
these advocates from the unnecessary and likely unconstitutional 
restraints in their charter.
  The Gold Star Wives have a long and storied history of advocacy on 
behalf of the families of our Nation's fallen heroes. From World War II 
through today's current conflicts, these military widows and widowers 
have shaped the perception we have about families' struggle after the 
death of a loved one in military service. In doing so, they have risen 
from humble beginnings to become a force on Capitol Hill. Today there 
are more than 60 chapters nationwide that count more than 10,000 widows 
and widowers as their members.
  The Gold Star Wives are hardly an idle group, winning key legislative 
victories to reinstate benefits for those whose second spouses have 
died, and improve medical and education benefits for survivors. They 
have consistently fought for and won increases in dependency and 
indemnity compensation affecting over 300,000 survivors who depend on 
that benefit.
  It is toward the aim of helping the Gold Star Wives maintain their 
voice in Congress that I am introducing new legislation today that will 
allow all of the Gold Star Wives to freely advocate for the legislative 
matters that are most important to them.
  When the Federal charter for the Gold Star Wives was drafted in 1980, 
it included a broad prohibition that none of the officers of the 
organization could influence any legislation in any manner. Since the 
Gold Star Wives rely on the volunteer work of its board and officers, 
the prohibition particularly hurts their advocacy on behalf of military 
families.
  Other patriotic and national organizations--such as AMVETS, the VFW, 
the American Legion, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart--do not 
share this unusual restriction. I believe that this provision in the 
Gold Star Wives Federal charter is punitive, not practically 
enforceable and potentially an unconstitutional infringement upon the 
freedom to petition the Government. My legislation solution is simple--
it will strike this single restriction from the Gold Star Wives Federal 
charter.
  Madam Speaker, the Gold Star Wives is a top-notch organization that 
effectively advocates on behalf of military families. It is my 
intention that Congress pass this commonsense change to their charter 
and relieve the Gold Star Wives from this unnecessary and 
unconstitutional burden.

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