DeRemer: Expand free National Park access for Gold Star families

By Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer,

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources to advocate for her new legislation, the Military Families National Parks Access Enhancement Act (H.R. 9516). The proposal would expand free access to national parks for families of service members who lost their lives during active-duty military service. Chavez-DeRemer drafted the bill after visiting with a Central Oregon constituent whose son tragically passed away during a U.S. Marine Corps combat training exercise, which does not currently make next-of-kin eligible for free national park access.

“I’d like to thank my constituent, Peter Ostrovsky, for bringing this issue to my attention. I’m honored to lead the Military Families National Parks Access Enhancement Act, which would ensure Gold Star family members like Peter can freely access our beautiful national parks to reflect on their loved ones and find moments of peace. This is a small but meaningful way to honor the sacrifices of the fallen and their families. I’ll keep working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this signed into law,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

Watch or download Chavez-DeRemer’s full committee remarks by clicking HERE

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The 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) codified free, lifetime national park passes for active-duty service members, veterans, and next-of-kin of service members who lost their lives in qualifying situations like war or military operations outside of the U.S. Chavez-DeRemer’s proposal expands these qualifying situations to include any service member who dies while on active duty.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.