Keating Provision to Benefit Gold Star Families Passes House

Press Release

Today, a key provision authored by Rep. Bill Keating that aims at helping Gold Star Families passed the US House of Representatives as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. The Keating Provision supports the creation of Gold Star Family Cards by all branches of the Armed Forces. These cards would be a new form of identification and serve as credentials for Gold Star Families, allowing them installation access and providing them with verification to take advantage of any discounts given to these heroic families.

"I come from a Gold Star family, and I know how important and honorable the title Gold Star Mother was to my grandmother," said Rep. Keating. "My father later became a veterans benefits agent and together they instilled in me the importance of fighting for our military families, especially those who had a loved one make the ultimate sacrifice. Last year, two Gold Star families reached out to me to recount some of the challenges they were facing -- one of these challenges, I believe, can be relieved by the creation of a Gold Star Family Card. Gold Star spouses and parents, for example, should not be made to feel uncomfortable or explain their family history to gain access to discounts that are offered by many admirable companies and businesses. Having a Gold Star Family Card will provide survivors with the respect and recognition they deserve without any explanation needed."

The Gold Star Family Card will be modeled after a currently existing Army program, but will extend across all branches of the Armed Forces. These cards also provide entry to military installations for events and memorials.

Rep. Keating's work to help Gold Star Families gain recognition and access first started last Memorial Day when he authored and introduced the Gold Star Families Equality Act, which was endorsed by AMVETS. That legislation was the product of multiple conversations between Rep. Keating and two local families whose children made the ultimate sacrifice defending our country. Despite this sacrifice, these Gold Star parents are denied commissary and retail benefits afforded to other next of kin as well as access to installation events.

"While the provision that passed the House today does not allow access to commissary and exchange benefits, it is an important first step in that direction, and I will keep fighting for the additional benefits our Gold Star Families deserve" said Rep. Keating.

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