WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) this week introduced the Gold Star Families Voices Act to allow families of servicemembers killed in action or missing in action to contribute to the Veterans History Project (VHP) at the Library of Congress.

“The Veterans History Project is an important way to recognize the sacrifice of so many American heroes,” said Sen. Moran. “Preserving the stories of those who served our country not only honors the legacy of our nation’s veterans, but also reminds all Americans of their service for generations to come. I’m proud to support this legislation to honor Gold Star Families.”

“The Veterans History Project is an incredible national resource that allows our men and women in uniform to share their stories with generations of future Americans,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “But that narrative – which is so critical to understanding and preserving our history – is incomplete without the voices of servicemembers missing or killed in action. I am proud to join Senator Moran in supporting our colleagues in the House of Representatives introducing legislation to help ensure that those who made the ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten.”

Congress created the VHP in 2000 to collect and catalog the stories of American war veterans. The purpose of the VHP is “to preserve the memories of this Nation’s war veterans so that Americans of all current and future generations may hear directly from veterans and better appreciate the realities of war and the sacrifices made by those who served in uniform during wartime.” To date, the VHP has collected the oral history records of more than 100,000 veterans who have served in military engagements since World War I. 

This legislation would allow the parents, spouses, siblings and children of servicemembers who are missing or killed in action to participate in the VHP by telling the stories of their loved ones. Companion legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) was approved by the House of Representatives earlier this month.

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