Proposed legislation from U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), would create a federal program to assist in the construction, restoration and maintenance of memorials.
The Remembering Our Local Heroes Act would fund eligible monuments honoring veterans, active-duty military personnel, law enforcement and firefighters. A grant program would provide grants as much as $100,000 to applicants demonstrating strong community support and secure matching funds from public and private sources.
The grant program would have an initial period of five years under Tenney’s legislation, which she unveiled during a press event Tuesday at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site at the former Griffiss Air Force Base. The program would authorize $2 million annually in grants.
“After the heartfelt Memorial Day ceremonies across our country yesterday, this bill is another step we can take as a nation to recognize the service of extraordinary individuals in our community and ensure their memories endure for generations to come,” Tenney said in a statement.
If passed, the legislation would require the Secretary of the Interior to establish the grant program within 180 days. Local governments or nonprofit organizations would be able to apply for funds to be used for construction, restoration, renovation or maintenance of local memorials.
The eligible memorials would cover veterans who served in World War I or after. Veterans and public safety members memorialized would need to have demonstrated “exemplary public service and/or distinguished themselves through an act of bravery.”
The grant applicants must demonstrate strong local community support; nonfederal matching funds of at least 50% must be provided.
Tenney was joined at the announcement by New York state Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Marcy) and representatives from the Rome police and fire departments.
Buttenschon commended Tenney for sponsoring the legislation, which she said will ensure perpetual care and maintenance for monuments and memorials.
“We owe our veterans and first responders the greatest debt of gratitude,” she said in a statement. “In death, as in life, these heroes deserve nothing less than our highest esteem and a revered and sacred final resting place.”
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