[June 09, 2011] Snowe's SERVE Act Gains Support at Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing Tweet Jun 09, 2011 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Legislation authored by U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) to protect military funerals from outside disruptions was the subject of a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing today. Snowe, who introduced the Sanctity of Eternal Rest for Veterans (SERVE) Act in April, noted that her bill has been cosponsored by a quarter of the U.S. Senate, almost evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. Senator Snowe was joined by Zach Parker, a high school senior from Frankfort, Maine whose classroom project and commitment to preventing disruptions at military funerals inspired her to introduce the SERVE Act. "Protests outside the funerals and burials of our fallen soldiers are repugnant and inappropriate - and they undermine the respect military families and loved ones undeniably deserve," said Senator Snowe. "Those who fight and die in the service of our country deserve our highest respect, and I commend the efforts of Maine's own Zach Parker and the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee for giving this issue its due consideration. Indeed, growing support in the Senate and among grassroots organizations is emblematic of the immeasurable sense of appreciation and pride Americans have in our uniformed men and women and their families. I look forward to the continued consideration of this vital legislation to protect the solemn moments of military funerals from outside disruption." The SERVE Act would increase the quiet time before and after military funeral services from 60 minutes to 120 minutes; increase from 150 feet to 300 feet the buffer zone around a military funeral service and increase from 300 feet to 500 feet the buffer around access routes to a funeral service area; and increase criminal and civil penalties on violators. There are now 28 bipartisan cosponsors of this legislation. To date, 35 organizations have endorsed the SERVE Act, including the Military Coalition, Military Families United, Gold Star Wives of America, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, the Marine Corps League, the Military Officers Association of America, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Non Commissioned Officers Association, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Representatives Charlie Bass (R-New Hampshire) and Jim Matheson (D-Utah) introduced an identical version of the SERVE Act in the House on Friday, April 15, 2011. HR 1591 was referred to three House committees: Judiciary, Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]