Stolen Valor Act of 2005
STOLEN VALOR ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - December 06, 2006)
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Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise in support of S. 1998, the Stolen Valor Act. I am extremely pleased that this body is able to consider this bill before we adjourn, because recent events in my district and across our nation have illustrated why Congress must act quickly to address the underlying issue of this bill.
Under current law, it is illegal to wear, manufacture, or sell military decorations without legal authorization. However, it is legal, but not ethical, to falsely represent oneself as having been awarded a decoration or medal of the United States Military.
This legislation will expand the prohibitions listed above to include conducting other transactions not already illegal without authorization, and falsely representing oneself as having been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces or any of the service medals or badges. It also increases penalties for violations involving a Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, Silver Star, or Purple Heart.
Every year around Veterans Day--a day where we honor our Nation's heroes for their service and sacrifice--numerous individuals come out of the woodwork to claim military decorations that were not awarded to them.
This is wholly disrespectful to those who have been legitimately awarded these high honors in the line of duty, and dilutes the significance attached to each lawfully awarded decoration.
This issue was brought to my attention by veterans in my district, upset about two recent cases of ``stolen valor'' in the state of Missouri. In this instance, a man spoke before a group at a Veterans Day event in Chillicothe, Missouri--in my district--and claimed a Navy Cross that he had not been awarded. A short while later, a man was arrested at a Marine Corps League meeting in Saint Louis, Missouri after claiming a number of decorations including the Navy Cross, which he was not awarded.
Mr. Speaker, the Stolen Valor Act provides a solution to address this growing fraud. One of the great privileges I have had in Congress is presenting veterans in my district with their rightfully earned honors and decorations. Many decorated veterans, when asked about their heroic actions, respond that they were just doing their duty. Mr. Speaker, it is our duty to protect the integrity of these decorations reserved to honor the heroic service and sacrifice of our nation's servicemembers. We cannot allow imposters to cheapen the value of these honors, and we cannot allow imposters to seek fame and fortune from falsehood. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of S. 1998, the Stolen Valor Act.
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