Final legislative passage has been given to a bill introduced by 5th District Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty and is awaiting the President's signature. 

Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty applauded final passage of her bipartisan Gold Star Fathers Act. Currently, qualifying mothers of certain disabled or deceased veterans—known as “Gold Star Mothers”—are given preference when applying for certain federal civil service jobs. The veterans hiring preference that will no longer be used by their love one when applying for certain federal civil jobs currently can be used by Gold Star Mothers. 

This bill extends that benefit to Fathers.

Esty says mothers are not the only ones who grieve.  She says the loss of a child is felt just as strongly by veteran's fathers.  Esty notes that in many cases, not only have these parents undergone significant trauma emotionally, but they may have also lost a source of their financial stability or even have mounting medical bills from the care of their loved ones.

Esty says those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country deserve to know that their loved ones they leave behind will be cared for.