STOLEN VALOR ACT OF 2005 - Bill H.R.-3352
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The following is a message from Coalition Vice Chairman and POW/MIA committee member,
Danny Belcher:
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I just called all of the Kentucky Representatives in Washington, DC. It did not hurt any and only cost less than $5.00.

Here is what to do if you care.
1- Dial (202) 224-3121 and ask for your congressman.
2- When someone in their office answers, ask for the person that handles Veteran issues for the congressman.
3- When you get this person or their voice mail, ask that the congressman cosponsor HR-3352 which is the "Stolen Valor Act of 2005" that is sponsored by Congressman Salazar.
4- Leave your phone number and name and ask that they call you back on this.
5- When you talk to someone, thank them for working on this and ask that they let you know as soon as the congressman cosponsors.
Read the Bill below so that you know what you are asking for.
Danny "Greasy" Belcher, Executive Director
Task Force Omega of KY Inc.
Infantry Sgt. Vietnam 68-69
D Troop 7th Sqdn. 1st Air Cav.

Sent: Monday, July 25, 2005 10:58 AM
Subject: HR-3352
 
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Stolen Valor Act of 2005 (Introduced in House)

HR 3352 IH

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3352

To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to protections for the Medal of Honor,
and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 19, 2005

Mr. SALAZAR introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to protections for the Medal of Honor,
and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the `Stolen Valor Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--

      (1) fraudulent claims surrounding receipt of the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished-Service Cross, the Air Force Cross, the Navy Cross, the Purple Heart, or any other medal or decoration awarded by Congress or the armed forces damage the reputation and meaning of these medals;

      (2) Federal law enforcement officers are currently limited in their ability to prosecute fraudulent claims of receipt of military medals; and

      (3) changes to the current statute are necessary to allow law enforcement personnel to protect the reputation and meaning of these medals.

SEC. 3. MILITARY MEDAL PROTECTIONS.

    Section 704 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--

      (1) in subsection (a)--

        (A) by inserting `purchases, attempts to purchase, solicits for purchase, mails, ships, imports, exports, produces blank certificates of receipt,' after `wears'; and

        (B) by inserting `attempts to sell, advertises for sale, trades, barters or exchanges for anything of value' after `sells';

      (2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting `or (b)' after `subsection (a)'

      (3) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c);

      (4) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:

    `(b) False Claims About Receipt of Military Medals- Whoever falsely represents himself or herself, verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.'; and

      (5) by adding at the end the following:

    (d) Other Medals- If a decoration or medal involved in an offense under subsection (a) or (b) is a Distinguished Service Cross awarded under Section 3742 of title 10, an Air Force Cross awarded under section 8742 of section 10, a Navy cross awarded under section 6242 of title 10, a silver star awarded under section 3746, 6244, or 8746 of title 10, or a Purple Heart awarded under section 1129 of title 10, or any replacement or duplicate medal as authorized by statute, in lieu of the punishment provided in that subsection, the offender shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.'.