A bill to provide for the issuance of a "Gold Star Families Forever Stamp" to honor the sacrifices of families who have lost a loved one who was a member of the Armed Forces in combat.

II 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. 1716 To provide for the issuance of a ‘‘Gold Star Families Forever Stamp’’ to honor the sacrifices of families who have lost a loved one who was a member of the Armed Forces in combat. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES JUNE 4, 2019 Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself, Mr. MANCHIN, and Mrs. MURRAY) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To provide for the issuance of a ‘‘Gold Star Families Forever Stamp’’ to honor the sacrifices of families who have lost a loved one who was a member of the Armed Forces in combat. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. GOLD STAR FAMILIES FOREVER STAMP. 3 (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 4 (1) Gold Star families are true national heroes, 5 who deserve our deepest gratitude and respect; and 6 (2) the extraordinary contribution of Gold Star 7 families is beyond measure, not merely for their loss, 8 VerDate Sep 11 2014 19:53 Jun 10, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S1716.IS S1716 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •S 1716 IS but the comfort they selflessly provide others and 1 their model of service and sacrifice. 2 (b) IN GENERAL.—In order to continue to honor the 3 sacrifices of families who have lost a loved one who was 4 a member of the Armed Forces in combat, the Postmaster 5 General shall provide for the issuance of a forever stamp 6 suitable for that purpose. 7 (c) FOREVER STAMP DEFINED.—In this section, the 8 term ‘‘forever stamp’’ means a definitive stamp that— 9 (1) meets the postage required for first-class 10 mail up to 1 ounce in weight; and 11 (2) retains full validity for the purpose de- 12 scribed in paragraph (1) even if the rate of that 13 postage is later increased. 14 (d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The stamp described in sub- 15 section (b) shall be issued beginning as soon as practicable 16 after the date of enactment of this Act and shall not there- 17 after be discontinued. 18 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 19:53 Jun 10, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\S1716.IS S1716 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS