Peters Bill to Commemorate End of WWII Passes Senate

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today applauded Senate passage of legislation he introduced to establish a commemorative program ahead of the 75th anniversary of World War II in 2020. The program’s goals are to honor veterans, educate the public about the history of World War II, highlight the service of the men and women who served our nation on the home front during the war, recognize the contributions of our allies and remember the horrors of the Holocaust.

Peters, who is a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and the son of a World War II veteran, introduced the bill with Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dean Heller (R-NV).

“When the forces of tyranny threatened the annihilation of our values and our way of life, an entire generation of Americans answered the call to defeat evil in its worst forms,” said Senator Peters. “I am pleased the Senate has passed this bipartisan effort to honor the servicemen and women of World War II as we approach the 75th anniversary of the end of the war. Michigan built the Arsenal of Democracy that overwhelmed the Axis Powers on battlefields across the globe, and this legislation will ensure the war and its impact on history will always be remembered.”

The legislation, 75th Anniversary of World War II Commemoration Act, would authorize the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program that supports federal, state and local governments as well as non-profit organizations and groups organizing commemorative events and direct the Department of Defense to consult with United States Holocaust Memorial Museum regarding commemorative activities.

Federal funding for the program would be matched with private donations and in-kind contributions to support federal, state and local governments as well as non-profit organizations and groups conducting 75th Anniversary of World War II commemorative activities.

Peters has been a strong voice in Congress for our nation’s servicemembers and veterans. In 2016, President Obama signed into law Peters’ amendment to help veterans erroneously discharged from the military due to behavior linked to mental traumas, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Most recently, Peters introduced bipartisan legislation to update the current funereal benefit system for eligible veterans to treat all non-service connected deaths equally, regardless of where the veteran passes away.

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