TANNER: PROTECT MILITARY FAMILIES FROM EXTREMIST PROTESTORS AT FUNERALS

WASHINGTON -- Families of troops killed in service to their country should not be confronted with disrespectful and disruptive protestors, U.S. Rep. John Tanner said. He has joined 43 bipartisan colleagues in introducing “The Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act,” which calls for protest buffer zones to ensure the dignity and respect deserved at a military funeral on federal property.

“It is disheartening that a few people show such little respect for our men and women in uniform and their families that they would try to disrupt the most solemn ceremonies honoring our military heroes,” Tanner said. “We feel there should be some guidelines to say when these extremist protestors cannot attempt to cause further anguish to grieving families.”

Protestors from Kansas have verbally abused families at military funerals in Tennessee and across the country, arguing that soldiers’ deaths are justified because America has turned its back on God.

“I am a strong advocate for freedom of speech and firmly believe the right to protest is protected by our constitution,” he said. “However, promoting one’s contemptible ideology at the final resting place of a fallen soldier while family and friends are grieving their loss is immoral and depraved.”

“The Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act” would:

• impose a 500-foot restriction on demonstrations at national cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery;

• require that no demonstrations occur 60 minutes prior to, and 60 minutes following, a funeral service at a federal-run cemetery;

• establish monetary fines and prison terms of 6 months to one year for violations of the bill’s provisions;

• encourage state and local governments to enact similar measures for state and private cemeteries and funeral homes.

The House Veterans Affairs Committee has scheduled a hearing on the bill for April 6.

Tanner represents Tennessee’s 8^th Congressional district in West and Middle Tennessee. He also co-sponsors a resolution honoring the “Patriot Guard Riders,” a group of volunteers who attend many military funerals to serve as a shield from radical protest groups that seek to cause further pain for the families of fallen troops.

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Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714