All Medal and Militaria Collectors and Dealers...Bill Update...HR 544

[Schofield1943]

Seriously - that's quite incredible to hear. Great job Robert!

[Teamski]

I concur! These personal contacts are invaluable when the politicians see what is reality. We need to relay that if you make these medals toxic, they will vanish.

 

-Ski

[tarbridge]

The latest from MOPH...

Here is a copy of a email forwarded by Military Order of the Purple Heart...as you can tell...they still call the Collectors and Dealers derogatory names...pretty classy for a organization. They have used "unscrupulous...evil profiteers and scam artists (these have been included on websites)...But, they do read our posts and some have in print ..."modified " the language.

They still spread the lost or stolen fallacy concerning Purple Hearts...now they say it won't stop the purchase for awardees from "authorized dealers"...That is not what H.R.544 says...

CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND TELL THEM TO "VOTE NO!" against H.R.544

 

[scottplen]

They will never see our side !

[tarbridge]

Yes Scott...our fight is against HR 544 and none of the organizations...

[scottplen]

Yea we just got to keep sending letters I guess ? I don't see how they could enforce it ? But I thought that about MOH law !

[Teamski]

Another one joins the bandwagon to make it 31 cosponsors. Contact your representative if they are on this list or on the Judiciary committee!!!!

 

Rep. Young, David [R-IA-3] 03/10/2017

Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-16] 03/08/2017

Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] 03/07/2017

Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-4] 03/06/2017

Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2] 02/28/2017

Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] 02/28/2017

Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6] 02/27/2017

Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19] 02/21/2017

Rep. Gallagher, Mike [R-WI-8] 02/17/2017

Rep. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] 02/17/2017

Rep. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ-7] 02/17/2017

Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1] 02/17/2017

Rep. Frelinghuysen, Rodney P. [R-NJ-11] 02/15/2017

Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3] 02/15/2017

Rep. Shea-Porter, Carol [D-NH-1] 02/13/2017

Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5] 02/13/2017

Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] 02/07/2017

Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-42] 02/02/2017

Rep. Abraham, Ralph Lee [R-LA-5] 02/02/2017

Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] 02/02/2017

Rep. Collins, Chris [R-NY-27] 02/02/2017

Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18] 02/02/2017

Rep. LoBiondo, Frank A. [R-NJ-2] 02/02/2017

Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6] 02/02/2017

Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] 02/02/2017

Rep. Marshall, Roger W. [R-KS-1] 02/02/2017

Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]* 01/13/2017

Rep. Poliquin, Bruce [R-ME-2]* 01/13/2017

Rep. Jenkins, Lynn [R-KS-2]* 01/13/2017

Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27]* 01/13/2017

Rep. Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [D-GA-2]* 01/13/2017

[Teamski]

The latest from MOPH...

Here is a copy of a email forwarded by Military Order of the Purple Heart...as you can tell...they still call the Collectors and Dealers derogatory names...pretty classy for a organization. They have used "unscrupulous...evil profiteers and scam artists (these have been included on websites)...But, they do read our posts and some have in print ..."modified " the language.

They still spread the lost or stolen fallacy concerning Purple Hearts...now they say it won't stop the purchase for awardees from "authorized dealers"...That is not what H.R.544 says...

CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND TELL THEM TO "VOTE NO!" against H.R.544

 

002 (522x640).jpg

 

 

This is an absolute outrage and a slanderous lie! I mean really! Almost all Purple Hearts come from a single willing source: the families themselves. Such friggin' drivel!!!!

 

-Ski

[ajbUSWM]

Yes... the people behind this are either Fascists or the uninformed ... and fascists never listen. Robert spoke to the uninformed.

 

I will say that I will never vote for a congressmen who supports this evil legislation.... and in fact.. I will donate for and campaign for anyone who opposes it. This bill is 100% evil and fraudulent.

[ajbUSWM]

CONSERVATIVE

RATING

 

F Rep. Young, David [R-IA-3] 03/10/2017

? Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-16] 03/08/2017

? Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] 03/07/2017

? Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-4] 03/06/2017

F Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2] 02/28/2017

F Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] 02/28/2017

F Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6] 02/27/2017

F Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19] 02/21/2017

? Rep. Gallagher, Mike [R-WI-8] 02/17/2017

F Rep. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] 02/17/2017

F Rep. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ-7] 02/17/2017

F Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1] 02/17/2017

F Rep. Frelinghuysen, Rodney P. [R-NJ-11] 02/15/2017

F Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3] 02/15/2017

F Rep. Shea-Porter, Carol [D-NH-1] 02/13/2017

F Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5] 02/13/2017

F Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] 02/07/2017

F Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-42] 02/02/2017

F Rep. Abraham, Ralph Lee [R-LA-5] 02/02/2017

F Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] 02/02/2017

F Rep. Collins, Chris [R-NY-27] 02/02/2017

F Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18] 02/02/2017

F Rep. LoBiondo, Frank A. [R-NJ-2] 02/02/2017

F Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6] 02/02/2017

F Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] 02/02/2017

? Rep. Marshall, Roger W. [R-KS-1] 02/02/2017

? Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]* 01/13/2017

F Rep. Poliquin, Bruce [R-ME-2]* 01/13/2017

F Rep. Jenkins, Lynn [R-KS-2]* 01/13/2017

F Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27]* 01/13/2017

F Rep. Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [D-GA-2]* 01/13/2017

 

I added the constitutional / Capitalism ranking for each of the 31 sponsors before each .

 

 

 

All you can do reach out to your local congressmen in the hopes of stopping this anti-American travesty.

Edit by tarbridge because AJ wrote it

[aerialbridge]

"an anti-American and unconstitutional piece of legislation."

 

That sums it up. I don't feel good about the integrity, courage and initiative of the ones already on board to actually have studied the legislation, how it flies against constitutional property rights, liberty, pursuit of happiness and the intended and unintended consequences of this over-reach-- medals going overseas, a black market, and more going in the trash since overnight they have "no $ value". And I doubt that enough of the House of Representatives will bother to educate themselves on these ramifications, much less be willing to take the tough stand and vote on record against this abomination. Tough because there is no perceived "downside" politically to supporting this bill-- it's an easy pander to vets, the flag, patriotism, mom, apple pie, etc, without costing any budget appropriations. Better chances to stop it in the Senate-- better but not good, IMO. In the end, we may have to win it in the courts.

 

But before it gets signed into law, there is possibly one man in DC, that may well have the political chops to just say "no" to this abomination. It's the man who was gifted a Purple Heart by a vet last year who said he had "always wanted one". If only there was a way to inform POTUS at this stage of this pending, worst piece of regulation, anti-American, anti-free market and unconstitutional piece of fascism, that's come down the pike in a long time. Anybody have any contacts at the WH that could put this on their radar?

 

For POTUS to take a stand against this awful, un-American bit of totalitarianism, even at this early stage, would actually be a great way for him to show-case his message of "free enterprise", "individual liberty" and the evils of the over-regulated "nanny state". In contrast to the craven, pandering and political grandstanding of those pushing this mess, he could come out against it---as an example of governmental over-regulation and over-reach, while also repeating his pledge to actually help veterans where it matters-- VA benefits, better health care, etc. He would win political capital far beyond the effect of this bill by pointing out the HUGE destructiveness of this bill that no one else in DC apparently either recognizes or has the guts to acknowledge.

 

IF only there were a way to make the President aware of HR544.

 

EDIT-- the thought just occurred to me. If the President were sent a gift of a Purple Heart that had been saved from a land-fill, along with a simple, concise statement of the opposition position to this bill in a formal letter addressed to him, there is probably a good chance that he would read it and be made aware of this bill and the dangers of it --particularly if the gift were from a collector who is also a veteran. .

[John Conway]

It's been said that Evil tempts the good with "good" and we are seeing it here!

 

Also, name calling by an otherwise or what should be a very distinguished organization is far below them and in keeping with the tempo of society in general. Sad to see.

[Teamski]

Now at 32 cosponsors with a new one from Florida. This thing continues to scare the hell out of me. Please contact your representative if they are on this list or are the Judicial Subcommittee!!

 

Rep. Rooney, Thomas J. [R-FL-17] 03/17/2017

Rep. Young, David [R-IA-3] 03/10/2017

Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-16] 03/08/2017

Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] 03/07/2017

Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-4] 03/06/2017

Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2] 02/28/2017

Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] 02/28/2017

Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6] 02/27/2017

Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19] 02/21/2017

Rep. Gallagher, Mike [R-WI-8] 02/17/2017

Rep. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] 02/17/2017

Rep. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ-7] 02/17/2017

Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1] 02/17/2017

Rep. Frelinghuysen, Rodney P. [R-NJ-11] 02/15/2017

Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3] 02/15/2017

Rep. Shea-Porter, Carol [D-NH-1] 02/13/2017

Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5] 02/13/2017

Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] 02/07/2017

Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-42] 02/02/2017

Rep. Abraham, Ralph Lee [R-LA-5] 02/02/2017

Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] 02/02/2017

Rep. Collins, Chris [R-NY-27] 02/02/2017

Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18] 02/02/2017

Rep. LoBiondo, Frank A. [R-NJ-2] 02/02/2017

Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6] 02/02/2017

Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] 02/02/2017

Rep. Marshall, Roger W. [R-KS-1] 02/02/2017

Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]* 01/13/2017

Rep. Poliquin, Bruce [R-ME-2]* 01/13/2017

Rep. Jenkins, Lynn [R-KS-2]* 01/13/2017

Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27]* 01/13/2017

Rep. Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [D-GA-2]* 01/13/2017

[tarbridge]

Stay on track please...some posts have been hid.

[Teamski]

Now up to 34 cosponsors. Two new ones popped up (Oregon and California, see the bottom of the list). Contact your representatives if they are on this list or on the Judiciary Subcommittee before it is too late!

 

Rep. Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [D-GA-2]* 01/13/2017

Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27]* 01/13/2017

Rep. Jenkins, Lynn [R-KS-2]* 01/13/2017

Rep. Poliquin, Bruce [R-ME-2]* 01/13/2017

Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]* 01/13/2017

Rep. Marshall, Roger W. [R-KS-1] 02/02/2017

Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] 02/02/2017

Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6] 02/02/2017

Rep. LoBiondo, Frank A. [R-NJ-2] 02/02/2017

Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18] 02/02/2017

Rep. Collins, Chris [R-NY-27] 02/02/2017

Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] 02/02/2017

Rep. Abraham, Ralph Lee [R-LA-5] 02/02/2017

Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-42] 02/02/2017

Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] 02/07/2017

Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5] 02/13/2017

Rep. Shea-Porter, Carol [D-NH-1] 02/13/2017

Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3] 02/15/2017

Rep. Frelinghuysen, Rodney P. [R-NJ-11] 02/15/2017

Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1] 02/17/2017

Rep. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ-7] 02/17/2017

Rep. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] 02/17/2017

Rep. Gallagher, Mike [R-WI-8] 02/17/2017

Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19] 02/21/2017

Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6] 02/27/2017

Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] 02/28/2017

Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2] 02/28/2017

Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-4] 03/06/2017

Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] 03/07/2017

Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-16] 03/08/2017

Rep. Young, David [R-IA-3] 03/10/2017

Rep. Rooney, Thomas J. [R-FL-17] 03/17/2017

Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-52] 03/22/2017

Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] 03/22/2017

[Thor996]

heard back from my rep

 

Thank you for contacting me about the buying and selling of Purple Hearts. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue and am glad to have the opportunity to respond.

Veterans and their families tell this nation’s story. Our men and women in uniform promise, each and every day, to protect our nation whatever the cost. They deserve our support from their first day of service on through the rest of their lives.

As you may know, Representative Paul Cook introduced H.R. 544, the Private Corrado Piccoli Purple Heart Preservation Act, on January 13, 2017. The bill would make it illegal to buy and sell Purple Hearts that have been awarded to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This legislation has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations for further consideration.

I have been a strong advocate for our nation’s veterans and their families. Please know that I will certainly continue to work to ensure that Purple Heart recipients and their families have access to the honor that they deserve and the resources that they have earned. I will certainly keep your views in mind should this legislation come before me in the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me; I am honored to represent the constituents of the Fourth District of Massachusetts. Please feel free to call or write my office with future questions or concerns. Additionally, I invite you to visit my website at www.kennedy.house.gov or follow me on Facebook to learn more about my work at home and in Washington.

All my best,

Joseph P. Kennedy
Member of Congress

[KASTAUFFER]

Well that's one way of acknowledging a letter without committing to a stance on the bill!

 

Kurt

[tarbridge]

That is the way most Politicians answer a question...

[Thor996]

after writing him a half dozen or so times..............

[tarbridge]

My Senator wrote the same type letter...my Congressman sent his aide to talk to me... 50% - 50%.

[dhcoleterracina]

Pure boilerplate

[Kadet]

Not sure you all have seen it, but there was recently a sister bill started in the Senate. Interesting though, because the wording is slightly different.

[tarbridge]

Here it is...

 

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/765

[tarbridge]

Shown Here:

Introduced in Senate (03/29/2017)

 

Private Corrado Piccoli Purple Heart Preservation Act

 

This bill provides that regulations restricting the purchase, production, sale, or exchange of military medals or decorations may not authorize the sale of a Purple Heart awarded to a member of the Armed Forces, unless the sale is conducted by the member to whom the Purple Heart was awarded

[Kadet]

"unless the sale is conducted by the member to whom the Purple Heart was awarded"

 

This is the added passage in the Senate version