Stolen Valor Act of 2005

The Library of Congress - Bills Resolutions ^ | 2005 | Congressman John Salazar

[Calpernia]

In July, Congressman Salazar introduced HR 3352 - the Stolen Valor Act of 2005. His bill aims to expand federal law enforcement's ability to prosecute individuals who claim to have received military medals they did not earn.

These imposters degrade the meaning of medals earned in service to our nation and sometimes use their "standing" as a medal recipient to commit further fraud and more dangerous crimes.

Congressman Salazar’s Stolen Valor bill already has bipartisan support. In the first week alone, more than 50 Members of Congress signed up to help defend the honor of our veterans.

[Calpernia]

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.'.

[Calpernia]

From Ray Funderburk, MOPH

The greatest threat to the sanctity and significance of the Purple Heart comes from the medal's easy availability. Anyone can buy one at flea markets, pawnshops or on the Internet, where Web sites offer the decoration, no questions asked, for as little as $35. An accompanying certificate on onion skin parchment and personalized with your name and any rank you choose costs about $25.

Such commerce in the symbols of American courage and sacrifice would be outlawed by a measure spearheaded last July by Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo. His "Stolen Valor Act" would make it a federal crime to falsely wear the Purple Heart and other top military decorations, or to even list them on a resume if they were not officially earned.

But the proposed bill now sits in the House Judiciary Committee, and its fate remains unclear. "We're waiting for the committee to act," said Salazar

[Calpernia]

Tidbit ping

[FairOpinion]

PING

[Calpernia]

COSPONSORS(60), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]: (Sort: by date)


Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43] - 7/27/2005
Rep Baird, Brian [WA-3] - 7/28/2005
Rep Barrow, John [GA-12] - 7/27/2005
Rep Beauprez, Bob [CO-7] - 9/6/2005
Rep Berry, Marion [AR-1] - 7/27/2005
Rep Boren, Dan [OK-2] - 7/27/2005
Rep Boswell, Leonard L. [IA-3] - 7/27/2005
Rep Boyd, Allen [FL-2] - 7/27/2005
Rep Calvert, Ken [CA-44] - 9/6/2005
Rep Cardoza, Dennis A. [CA-18] - 7/27/2005
Rep Case, Ed [HI-2] - 7/27/2005
Rep Chandler, Ben [KY-6] - 7/27/2005
Rep Cooper, Jim [TN-5] - 7/27/2005
Rep Costa, Jim [CA-20] - 7/28/2005
Rep Cramer, Robert E. (Bud), Jr. [AL-5] - 7/27/2005
Rep Cuellar, Henry [TX-28] - 7/27/2005
Rep Davis, Geoff [KY-4] - 7/26/2005
Rep Davis, Lincoln [TN-4] - 7/27/2005
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 7/26/2005
Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. [TX-20] - 7/29/2005
Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] - 7/28/2005
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 7/26/2005
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 7/28/2005
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 7/26/2005
Rep Herseth, Stephanie [SD] - 7/27/2005
Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [TX-15] - 7/28/2005
Rep Holden, Tim [PA-17] - 7/27/2005
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] - 7/28/2005
Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] - 7/27/2005
Rep Kline, John [MN-2] - 7/28/2005
Rep Lewis, Ron [KY-2] - 7/28/2005
Rep Marshall, Jim [GA-3] - 11/2/2005
Rep Matheson, Jim [UT-2] - 7/26/2005
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 9/7/2005
Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] - 9/14/2005
Rep Meek, Kendrick B. [FL-17] - 7/26/2005
Rep Melancon, Charlie [LA-3] - 7/27/2005
Rep Menendez, Robert [NJ-13] - 10/6/2005
Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] - 7/27/2005
Rep Moore, Dennis [KS-3] - 7/27/2005
Rep Musgrave, Marilyn N. [CO-4] - 10/17/2005
Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [CA-38] - 7/27/2005
Rep Northup, Anne M. [KY-3] - 9/15/2005
Rep Ortiz, Solomon P. [TX-27] - 7/28/2005
Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] - 7/27/2005
Rep Pomeroy, Earl [ND] - 7/27/2005
Rep Reyes, Silvestre [TX-16] - 7/27/2005
Rep Rogers, Harold [KY-5] - 9/7/2005
Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4] - 7/27/2005
Rep Ryan, Tim [OH-17] - 7/26/2005
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 7/27/2005
Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] - 7/29/2005
Rep Strickland, Ted [OH-6] - 9/27/2005
Rep Tancredo, Thomas G. [CO-6] - 9/6/2005
Rep Tanner, John S. [TN-8] - 7/27/2005
Rep Taylor, Gene [MS-4] - 7/27/2005
Rep Thompson, Mike [CA-1] - 7/27/2005
Rep Udall, Mark [CO-2] - 7/22/2005
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] - 7/28/2005
Rep Whitfield, Ed [KY-1] - 9/20/2005

[Chickenhawk Warmonger]

The book "Stolen Valor" was unbelievable! I highly recommend reading it!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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.'.


1 posted on 01/18/2006 8:24:40 PM PST by Calpernia

[Calpernia]

I will add that one to my list. My book reading is starting to get backed up!

[BIGLOOK]

Murtha's missing.

[Soaring Feather]

bump

[Calpernia]

::blank stare::


;)

[darkwing104]

I say "Do it" I got my 214 in order.

[MNJohnnie]

With all due respect, there are more important things for the Congress to be doing. Seen their schedule? They spend MORE time out of Washington then in it! Going to be worse since this is an election year. Sorry this is just one of those feel good PR ploys Democrats throw out so they can go home and claim "See we support the troops too". Actually I would be MORE impressed with a bill to increase pay and benefits like the Republicans passed LAST year or if a Salazar would offer up a bill to increase the size of the active duty military then this meaningless feel good PR stunt. OR how about this. OUTLAW the selling of medals. That ANGRERS me greatly that these symbols of honor earned can be SOLD at a flee market.

I respect all the very good work you do Cal, but this is a minor matter

[armymarinemom]

The book "Stolen Valor" was unbelievable! I highly recommend reading it!

Ditto! It's a book you don't loan out either. I keep mine as a handy reference book.

[BykrBayb]

Oh, I like that!

[Calpernia]

I'm just supporting a job well done by a Congressman :)

[LibertarianInExile]

Where, oh where could Mr. Murtha be?

[SandRat]

Wonder if that means that John eFn Kerry is in DEEP DO DO?!!

[MNJohnnie]

Amazing all the usual Democrats who will not vote FOR increase pay and benefits and regularly vote AGAINST Defense Approprations are co sponders on this. Just more PR by the Dems to hid their weak on National Security Ideology. OUTLAW the selling of medals. THAT would be better then this stunt.

[armymarinemom]

Yep. He sure is!

[MNJohnnie]

Ok, I give in. I suppose on the rare occasion they do something GOOD even for the wrong reason we should support them. :-)

[Calpernia]

I'll try reading the list again....maybe if I read slower? :)

[Calpernia]

bttt

[Delta 21]

This is a good one!

HA! Wonder what the pucker factor shot up to in the Murtha and Kerry camps?

[nightdriver]

What effect, if any, will this have on rinky-dink administrations, like X42, when they issue medals erroneously?

Ref: The purple hearts they gave out to the patrol that was captured by Albanians during the Bosnian dustup.

Purple heart medals are not supposed to be given for being captured.

[vigilante2]

thank you for the ping

[A.A. Cunningham]

This legislation was a result of the furor over the movie Wedding Crashers.

[Calpernia]

The MOPH are behind this bill. Many of them were consulted when Salazar had this drafted. I'm sure issues like that were taken into consideration.

[Ronin]

That should have been done a long time ago.

[BIGLOOK]

You know that I know that you know.........

Nut cracker; Murtha's separation from active service and subsequent transfer to Reserves in 1967 lists all awards earned for his active duty service. Other awards my be addenda....such as Unit Citations but not Purple Hearts.

Darkwing....did you remember registering your DD 214 with the County Registrar at your home of record as instructed?

So many records, so little time.

[Calpernia]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1557630/posts
Murtha's War Hero Status Called Into Question

[armymarinemom]

Very interesting on who's missing. Let's get the word out.

[Calpernia]

Would this have been a procedure for Kerry too?

[Calpernia]

Very interesting also that this bill has stalled.

[darkwing104]

Darkwing....did you remember registering your DD 214 with the County Registrar at your home of record as instructed?

We were told "Not Register DD 214s with the county" It would allow crooks to steal our SSNs but I did have the VA certify them for medical benefits.

[armymarinemom]

Not a shock but yes. I added it to this evenings MFVOV blog.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

`(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.

---

THIS is something that hanoi kerry can't get out of!

The Swift Boat Vets, proved, without any doubt,
to any logical, reasoning person,
that hanoi kerry's 1st Purple Heart is a fraud.

Now that Republicans AND Democrats are behind this bill
and since the GOP has control of both houses in Congress
hanoi kerry has finally been caught.

"the offender shall be fined under this title,
imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both."

Their is nothing about IF the fraud was committed before this bill.

IF hanoi kerry does not renounce his 1st Purple Heart
(and his 2nd and 3rd)
he's guilty of fraud and gets to go to jail.

[Calpernia]

bttt!

I LOVE bloggers! Get that word out!

[blackdiamondracer]

I wonder if Sen. Harkin will support this bill. He is highlighted in the book Stolen Valor as someone who lied about serving in combat when he never did.

I don't believe the author of this bill is a veteran. Why would a non veteran author this bill and more importantly, why hasn't a veteran in congress thought of it yet?

[msnimje]

What about people who got medals that do not exist like Senator Kerry?

[Darksheare]

God I hope he's caught!

[Calpernia]

This bill was authored by Congressman John Salazar. He is a veteran and has children currently serving.

[Calpernia]

They go to jail.

[SandRat]

A year for Each?

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Wonder if that means that John eFn Kerry is in DEEP DO DO?!!"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1560750/posts?page=37#37

Yep! He's going to jail!!!!!!!

[Calpernia]

The citizen complaint for issuing criminal charges will come in VERY handy, huh?

[BIGLOOK]

My Sepros was in '71. Told to register.....keep a copy of the DD214 with me in my wallet because cops were looking for draft dodgers and deserters at the time. (Gave me 20 copies at Sepros)

Darkwing....understand situation, identity theft was unheard of when I left.

Nut Cracker....Kerry's would have been registered unless he was on Legal Hold. I think he was but there's a fine time line there.

[SandRat]

Lets see....... wonder who else could end up in trouble.... ????????

[Madison Moose]

It is, I was able change the mind of a college instructor about a number of subjects after having him read it.

[BIGLOOK]

Lyndon B. Johnson....but then it'd be a waste of time.