House Republican Press Release

June 6, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Mike Alberts Hails Passage of Veterans’ Legislation

Measure Would Ban Funeral Protests Immediately

State Rep. Mike Alberts, R-50^th, Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret, Woodstock, has sponsored and strongly supported legislation to prevent military funerals from being turned into protest demonstrations.

Rep. Alberts, who is ranking member on the legislature’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee and an Air Force veteran himself, sponsored and strongly supported earlier legislation that limited protests at military funerals effective October 1 when other new laws normally take effect.

However, due to an announced protest demonstration at a June 8 funeral in Norwich, Alberts, other legislators and the governor supported new legislation to limit protest demonstrations immediately.

The new law prohibits demonstrations from 60 minutes before to 60 minutes after a funeral. It also subjects to punishment anyone who within 300 feet intentionally, willfully, and without authorization impedes the entrance or exit from the funeral.

“It is disrespectful and hurtful to the family of fallen service men and women to disrupt the dignity of a military funeral with picketing and other protest demonstrations,” said Rep. Alberts. “This legislation will help military families conduct funeral services in peace.”

Alberts also noted that the state House or Representatives and state Senate have approved other legislation this year to assist veterans, active duty military personnel and their families.

Rep. Alberts serves the 50^th Assembly District, including Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret and Woodstock in the state House of Representatives.