Iraq War Veterans, Reps. Mike Gallagher & Seth Moulton Introduce Bipartisan Bill for National War on Terror Memorial
H.R. 873 to amend 1986 legislation and authorize GWOTMF to lead organizing efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a joint press conference held at the VFW today, the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation (GWOTMF) formally announced alongside Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Seth Moulton (D-MA), the introduction of H.R. 873, a bipartisan bill to authorize a national memorial dedicated to those who have fought in the Global War on Terror (GWOT) following the September 11th terrorist attacks. The bill aims to amend the Commemorative Works Act of 1986, which currently requires Congress to wait ten years after a war is over to build a memorial. Understanding that the United States has been at war for 15 continuous years with no end in sight, the bill will exempt the GWOT from this restriction and allow the GWOTMF to begin building a national memorial to honor all those who have bravely served in this war, as well as their families.
“Republican or Democrat, it doesn’t matter. Memorializing the service and sacrifice of more than 6,800 fallen United States service members is an American matter, and I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my fellow Marine and current colleague, Congressman Moulton,” stated Rep. Gallagher (R-WI). “During my service in the Marine Corps I served alongside countless brave men and women, some of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terrorism. This piece of legislation honors their service and memorializes their legacy for future generations.”
“As a Marine veteran, this effort to build a new memorial is especially meaningful to me as a way to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country,” said Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA). “We owe this to all of them, to their families, and to the young Americans who continue put their lives on the line for us today.”
GWOTMF was joined at the press conference by representatives of 10 national veteran service organizations, including: Got Your 6; Green Beret Foundation; IAVA; Student Veterans of America; Team Rubicon; The Mission Continues; Travis Manion Foundation; VFW; and Wounded Warrior Project. GWOTMF is also supported by American Gold Star Mothers and Team Red White & Blue.
“We’re honored today to stand alongside Representatives Moulton and Gallagher, and thank them for their bipartisan support and the support of the veteran service organizations represented here today, to pave the way for the national Global War on Terror memorial,” said Andrew Brennan, founder and executive director of GWOTMF. “This memorial will honor the more than 59,433 casualties in our nation’s longest war, the Gold Star and Blue Star families who bear the cost of this conflict, and for our brothers and sisters who have fought and continue to fight in this war today. We are looking forward to working with the House on the passage of this bill to bring the memorial to its rightful place on the National Mall.”
GWOTMF is encouraging constituents to voice support for the bill by visiting www.gwotmemorialfoundation.org/take-action to get in direct contact with their respective legislators, quickly and easily.
The bill is already sponsored by the following members of Congress: Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Stephen Knight (R-CA), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Kevin Yoder (R-KS), Martha McSally (R-AZ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), Denny Heck (D-WA), Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-NC), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Timothy Walz (R-OH), Beto O’Rourke (R-TX), and James P. McGovern (D-MA).
About the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
The mission of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation is to provide the organizing, fundraising, and coordinating efforts to build a memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C. to honor our fallen warriors, US services members, their families, and all those who supported our nation’s longest war. The objective is to create a tangible symbol of the sacrifices made by fallen U.S. service members and their families while they were supporting the Global War on Terror. Visit www.gwotmemorialfoundation.org for more information and ‘Like Us’ on Facebook to get all the latest updates at www.facebook.com/gwotmf.
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