CLEVELAND, OH—In advance of Independence Day, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) urged Congress to pass his legislation that would recognize a father’s sacrifice when his child is killed in action or permanently and totally disabled. Inspired by a conversation with a Canton father who lost his son in Iraq, the Gold Star Fathers Act of 2014 would extend hiring preferences currently available only to Gold Star mothers and spouses.

“The loss of a loved one is never easy,” Brown said. “But when a service member is killed in action or permanently and totally disabled, the government should do its part to be there for grieving parents—no matter if they’re fathers or mothers. By extending federal preference eligibility to Gold Star fathers, we are righting a wrong that should have been corrected many years ago. I would like to thank both Scott and Melissa Warner of Canton for their sacrifice and their advocacy on behalf of other Gold Star families.” 

Joining Brown today at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Cleveland was Scott Warner, the Canton resident and Gold Star father whose efforts helped lead to the legislation. Warner’s son, Heath, was killed in action in Iraq in November 2006 during his deployment as a U.S. Marine. Following the death of his son, Warner became involved with a local Gold Star family support group. At a community meeting in Canton, Warner presented his experiences to a representative from Brown’s office.

“I am pleased to be working with Senator Brown in establishing legislation that tangibly recognizes the Gold Star fathers across the United States,” Warner said. “The pain and heartache that each bereaved father embraces makes moving forward in life challenging. By providing the same hiring preference benefits that Gold Star mothers receive under civil service guidelines, our country is creating new opportunities for the families that have sacrificed so much for freedom.”

Currently, Gold Star mothers and unmarried widows and widowers receive a ten point hiring preference for federal employment, similar to the federal hiring preferences given to veterans. The Gold Star Fathers Act of 2014 would amend federal code to enable fathers of deceased or permanently and totally disabled service members to receive the same hiring preferences as mothers, widows, and widowers.

Also joining Brown today to urge for passage of this legislation was Jon Reiss, the Executive Director of the Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission.

Brown continues to be a vocal advocate for military service members and their families. Brown is the Co-Chair of the Senate Air Force Caucus and the only Ohio Senator to serve a full term on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Last month, Brown helped the Senate pass bipartisan legislation that would begin to take critical steps toward reforming the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system to ensure that Ohio’s veterans receive the highest quality care as quickly as possible, no matter where they live or what facility they visit. Brown worked to ensure that the legislation would:

  • Allow veterans who face long delays to obtain care outside of the VA system;
  • Authorize funds to help the VA immediately hire new doctors and nurses; and
  • Enable the department to more easily remove executives with poor performance history.

                                                        

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