[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 187 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H7290-H7291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MILITARY FAMILIES NATIONAL PARKS ACCESS ENHANCEMENT ACT
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 9516) to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act
to provide for lifetime National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands
Passes for family members of members of the Armed Forces who lost their
lives while serving their country, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 9516
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Military Families National
Parks Access Enhancement Act''.
SEC. 2. LIFETIME PASSES.
Section 805(b)(2) of the Federal Lands Recreation
Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6804(b)(2)) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(D) Any individual who is a survivor entitled to--
``(i) a death gratuity under section 1475 of title 10,
United States Code; or
``(ii) dependency and indemnity compensation under chapter
13 of title 38, United States Code.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentleman from California (Mr.
Huffman) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.
General Leave
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on H.R. 9516, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9516, the Military
Families National Parks Access Enhancement Act. This bill, which is led
by Representative Chavez-DeRemer, expands access to free, lifetime
passes to our national parks and public lands to Gold Star next of kin
and families of veterans who pass away due to a service-related illness
or injury.
[[Page H7291]]
Across the Nation, military families play a critical role in
protecting our freedoms. They are the strongest base of support for the
brave military servicemembers who risk their lives defending America.
When these troops make the ultimate sacrifice for our country, the
emotional impact on their families is devastating. While nothing can
replace a lost loved one, outdoor recreation has a proven track record
of providing at least some measure of relief in times of profound
tragedy.
In 2021, Congress permanently codified free lifetime passes to our
national parks and public lands for Gold Star families in the Alexander
Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act, a bill I proudly cosponsored and helped
champion through the Natural Resources Committee.
Unfortunately, the eligibility for these passes excluded families
whose relatives were killed in incidents such as hazardous training
accidents or due to a service-related illness.
H.R. 9516, however, will expand access to free lifetime America the
Beautiful passes to Gold Star next-of-kin family members and family
members of fallen veterans. This legislation is a meaningful way to
support additional families whose loved ones were lost in their
selfless service to our Nation.
I commend Representative Chavez-DeRemer for spearheading this noble
effort. Throughout this Congress, Representative Chavez-DeRemer has
demonstrated exemplary public service by working tirelessly with
Members on both sides of the aisle to better serve her constituents.
She introduced this bill after receiving outreach from a constituent
family whose loved one passed away on Active Duty but was not eligible
for these passes. Her advocacy on behalf of her constituents and our
military families is commendable.
Mr. Speaker, I reiterate my strong support for this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I support this bill. The America the Beautiful National
Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass covers entrance fees and day-
use fees at national parks, national wildlife refuges, national
forests, and other Federal recreational lands.
Of these, the military lifetime pass, or Gold Star pass, is a free
lifetime pass available to our veterans and certain Gold Star families
who have lost a family member during military service, the ultimate
sacrifice, as the chairman mentioned. However, the Gold Star pass
currently includes certain limitations regarding who qualifies.
This bill would expand eligibility for the lifetime Gold Star pass to
include next-of-kin family members of fallen servicemembers who are not
currently eligible. Specifically, this legislation would expand access
to families of servicemembers who died in Inactive- or Active-Duty
training or in travel to or from training or duty stations.
Mr. Speaker, this bill would ensure that all those who have lost a
family member in connection to their military service have access to
our national parks and lands.
Those who have sacrificed so much for our Nation deserve this access
to appreciate the wonders of our parks, historic sites, and natural
beauty across the country. It is imperative that we ensure this benefit
is not limited based on how a servicemember died during their service.
Mr. Speaker, I support the passage of this bill, and I urge my
colleagues to do the same. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, once again, I thank
Representative Chavez-DeRemer for her efforts to introduce this
meaningful legislation. This bill would help reduce the financial
burden on our military families who want to visit our national parks
and expand their access to the healing powers of outdoor recreation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this legislation, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 9516, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________