WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday that includes language that strongly supports U.S. Congressman Dan Boren’s efforts to protect American soldiers and their families from war profiteers. The language, included in H.R. 1585, the FY 08 Defense Authorization Act, instructs the Secretary of Defense to thoroughly examine the issue of private profiteering from the names and images of American service men and women. The study would examine the use of names and images of current and former members of the armed services as well as both living and deceased.
“We have an obligation to protect fallen soldiers and their families from exploitation,” Boren said. “They gave their lives for this country, and their memory deserves to be treated with some common decency.”
The inclusion of the language demonstrates support for Boren’s efforts and expresses a sense of Congress that the commercial use of names and images of deceased service members should be treated with respect and dignity. The language in the Defense Act states private individuals and groups should take into account the feelings of the family and next-of-kin of service members when using their names and images, especially if the family members have requested that their son or daughter's name and/or image not be used.
“I am pleased that Congress has acted on this issue to protect Oklahoma families and military families across the country from this abuse,” Boren said. “I look forward to learning the results of the study, and I pledge to continue my effort to enact these measures into law.”
The language also includes provisions that require the Secretary of Defense to submit the report to the Committees on Armed Services of both the House of Representatives and the Senate no later than 90 days after the enactment of the Defense Authorization Act. The report will also make recommendations on how to satisfy the concerns at the national level. After similar bills were signed into law in Oklahoma and Louisiana in 2006, Judy Vincent of Bokoshe, Ok and the mother of Cpl. Scott Michael Vincent, contacted Boren about addressing this problem at the national level.
“Regardless of how people feel about the war, I think we can all get behind the idea that profiting from a soldier’s sacrifice is inexcusable,” Boren said. “These men and women are just doing their job, and I for one am grateful for it.”
Boren was joined earlier this year by Congressman Charles Boustany (R-Louisiana) in introducing an amendment to the Defense Act that prohibited the use of soldiers’ names and images on merchandise. Their legislative efforts are supported by the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of American, the Air Force Sergeants Association, the Military Officers Association of America, AMVETS, the National Guard Association of the United States, and the Fleet Reserve Association.
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