Todd Tiahrt: “every so often a bill comes before this House that I wish was unnecessary. A bill that is so intrinsically rooted in…”

“every so often a bill comes before this House that I wish was unnecessary. A bill that is so intrinsically rooted in basic human decency that no one could imagine a legislative remedy would be needed. H.R. 5037, Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act, is such a bill. H.R. 5037 would prohibit protests at the funerals of our fallen military men and women. A small group of people are hurling insult onto tragedy for the family and friends of fallen heroes. For me and my constituents, this blight on human decency is personal. On November 29, 2005, Kansans Sergeant Jerry Mills and Sergeant Donald Hasse were patrolling Taji, Iraq their vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device--tragically cutting their lives short. Their bodies were returned to Kansas for burial and everlasting respect of their grateful countrymen. Sergeants Mills and Hasse were heroes. They gave their lives for this country. Both of these heroes deserved funerals befitting of their patriotism and sacrifice. Regrettably, some wanted to turn a solemn event into a political statement. Protesters arrived at Sergeant Hasse's funeral in Wichita, Kansas. Fortunately, so did the Patriot Guard Riders, a group of motorcycle riders dedicated to honoring fallen service men and women and protecting the funeral proceedings from protestors. The Patriot Guard Riders, invited by the Hasse family, kept the protestors at bay and protected Sergeant Hasse's young son from having to witness such inhumanity.…”