Reps. Johnson, Ferguson introduce bipartisan “Gold Star Father’s Day” to honor veteran families

WASHINGTON, D.C.— On June 21 – in wake of the Father’s Day weekend — Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Congressman Drew Ferguson (GA-03) introduced the bipartisan H. Res. 1190, which designates Nov. 9, 2022, as “Gold Star Father’s Day,” nationally.

“I believe it is important to extend the same recognition to Gold Star Fathers as it currently exists for Gold Star Mothers and families,” said Johnson. “On Gold Star Father’s Day, we want to honor fathers who have lost children in service to the United States of America and recognize their unimaginable loss. The debt we owe our veterans, and their families, is immeasurable. The sacrifices of those we have lost, and those of their families on the home front, are the foundation of the freedoms we hold dear.”

“We ask everything of our servicemembers, but we also ask a great deal of their loved ones,” said Ferguson. “Gold Star family members carry on the legacy of these American heroes, and our nation is forever grateful for their immense strength and resilience. I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation to designate Gold Star Father’s Day so that we may ensure those who made the ultimate sacrifice will be remembered for generations.”

This bipartisan effort stems from the work done in 2018 on Georgia’s state level, where State Rep. Rhonda Burnough (D-77 Riverdale) introduced the unanimously passed H.R. 655, which designated November 9 as Gold Star Father’s Day in Georgia. Reps. Johnson and Ferguson were joined by 30 other members, including seven from the Georgia delegation in support of this important legislation.

The resolution is supported by: Gold Star Awareness Inc., Freedom Voice Inc., Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors (TAPS) and the EOD Warrior Foundation.

Member cosponsors include: Rep. Thompson (MS), Rep. Moore (WI), Rep. Bishop (GA), Rep. McGovern (MA), Rep. Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Rep. Tlaib (MI), Rep. Dean (PA), Rep. Scott (GA), Rep. Rush (IL), Rep. Kelly (IL), Rep. Loudermilk (GA), Rep. McBath (GA), Rep. Suozzi (CA), Rep. Costa (CA), Rep. Dingell (MI), Rep. Clarke (NY), Rep. Susie Lee (NV), Rep. Barbara Lee (CA), Rep. Hayes (CT), Rep. Strickland (WA), Rep. Sires (NJ), Rep. Williams (GA), Rep. Bordeaux (GA), Rep. Clyde (GA), Del. Plaskett (VI-At Large), Rep. Garbarino (NY), Rep. Peters (CA), Rep Wild (PA), Rep. Carson (IN), Del. San Nicholas (Guam-At Large).

Read the bill HERE.