Reps. Tenney and Pappas Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Supporting Memorials to Local Heroes

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Washington, DC - Representatives Claudia Tenney (NY-22) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) have introduced the bipartisan Remembering Our Local Heroes Act (H.R. 3923), which would establish a federal grant program to assist communities across the Nation with the construction, maintenance, and restoration of memorials that recognize the service of veterans, active-duty military personnel, law enforcement, and firefighters.

"The Remembering Our Local Heroes Act will preserve the legacies of those who have served our communities and sacrificed so much for our country," said Congresswoman Tenney. "We all have a responsibility to recognize and remember extraordinary individuals who positively shaped our communities, and this bill will make it easier to ensure such memories endure for generations to come. I thank Congressman Pappas for joining me in supporting this bill."

“Those who have served our nation – from local first responders to troops deployed abroad – deserve to be honored and remembered in their communities for their service and sacrifice,” said Congressman Pappas. “That is why I’m proud to introduce the Remembering Our Local Heroes Act with Rep. Tenney to make sure that communities throughout the country can build, maintain, and restore memorials that honor these courageous individuals and ensure they are never forgotten.”

The Remembering Our Local Heroes Act has been endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations as well as the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

“With the Remembering Our Local Heroes Act, Representatives Tenney and Pappas are ensuring that our heroes, the first responders and veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty to protect our communities and country, will be remembered and recognized. This legislation will help communities with the financial burden of erecting and maintaining memorials, or refurbishing those left forgotten, honoring local heroes and upholding the legacy of their service," said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations

"The sacrifice of law enforcement officers can never be overstated. Memorials that commemorate the dedication and bravery of law enforcement help Americans learn and see the impact of officers in their own community. Unlike many other memorials, those dedicated to law enforcement tend to add a few more names of the fallen each year. Honoring the service of these fallen heroes ensures they, and their work, are not forgotten," stated Larry Cosme, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. We appreciate Representative Tenney for introducing this bill to ensure officers are remembered, families are appreciated, and communities are educated."

Additional Details of the Remembering Our Heroes Act: 

• Authorizes $2 million annually over the course of the five years.
• Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish the grant program within 180 days of passage.
• Local governments and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for funds, which may be used for construction, restoration, renovation, or maintenance of local memorials.
• Memorials can be dedicated to or commemorate veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces, law enforcement officers, and firefighters.
• Covers veterans who served in WW1 or after.
• The memorialized must have contributed positively to their community while demonstrating exemplary public service and/or distinguished themselves through an act of bravery.
• Grant applicants must demonstrate strong local community support.
• The maximum grant amount is capped at $100,000 per recipient. Recipients must also provide non-Federal matching funds of at least 50%. This ensures that any memorial receiving funds has strong community support and local funds are leveraged. 

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