BOSTON – State Rep. John Velis (D-Westfield) celebrated a major victory yesterday when his Stolen Valor Act was unanimously approved in the House of Representatives.
Velis’ colleagues voted 149-0 in favor of his bill, which creates the strictest stolen valor laws in the country.
Most states have similar laws about people impersonating military medal recipients. Velis’ act goes a step farther.
“What makes this legislation unique is it applies to anyone who fraudulently represents themself as a veteran or person in the service,” Velis said.
Velis filed the act in January of 2015 and made national news for the strictness of his bill.
“This shows that Massachusetts, yet again, puts protecting its veterans and those serving at the forefront,” he said.
Velis, a U.S. Army captain, said the bill was near and dear to him and he was excited about the support he received.
“Now it is in the Senate’s hands,” he said. “My hope is they will take it up swiftly and get it to the governor.”
Velis said the veterans and service men and women deserve this.
“Too many have given too much to not act swiftly on this bill,” he said. “For those of us who have served or are still serving, that uniform was not given to us, we earned it.”
Velis would love to see it pass before Nov. 11.
“There would be no better gift for veterans than to get this approved by Veterans Day,” he said.
Velis said he was proud to bring forth the bill and represent his constituents, as well as veterans across the state.
“I did not get elected to sit on the sidelines,” he said.
