UPDATE: click here to see Rep. John Velis talking tougher ‘Stolen Valor’ laws on Fox News today.
WESTFIELD – State Rep. John Velis, (D-Westfield) is gaining national attention from all political parties for his Stolen Valor Act.
Velis is set to appear on Fox News’ America’s News Headquarters Saturday afternoon to discuss the legislation, which would make it a crime to fake military service for financial gain.
Velis will appear live at approximately 4:40 p.m. from the Fox newsroom in New York City.
Velis said he was surprised when he started receiving calls from Fox more than a week ago.
“A Fox reporter reached out to me for a story and the Boston Herald picked it up and now Fox called to ask me to be on the show,” said Velis.
The Democrat comes from a Republican family and said party affiliation is not as important as it used to be.
“For me it’s about the issues, not the party, and I believe most people feel that way today,” said Velis.
“I credit Fox for seeing this issue beyond the party,” he said.
Velis is a freshman representative and said it is an honor to have his bill recognized.
“It’s not every day a state-level politician gets invited to a national news program – I hope to do Westfield proud.”
The bill serves as a beefed-up version of a federal statute making it a felony for an individual to falsely claim military service for financial gain.
In addition to the federal government, several states already have similar laws on their books, but the Westfield Democrat, a captain in the United States Army Reserve who served in combat in Afghanistan, is proposing the toughest stolen valor law in the country, making it a criminal offense that could earn a fine of $1,000, a year in prison, or both.
Velis received overwhelming support from the House of Representatives as co-sponsors for the Stolen Valor Act.
“As a war veteran, this kind of bipartisan support is absolutely moving,” said Velis. “Most bills don’t get anywhere near this amount of co-sponsors.”
Velis has received numerous emails from veterans commending his legislation and recounting their own personal stories. Velis said he is touched by what he has heard and feels it is “disgraceful” for anyone to falsely present veteran status because it is a dishonor to those who served and their families.
The bill is currently in the judiciary committee. Velis hopes it will be heard soon.
“There is widespread support for this bill and I can only hope that we move this bill through this year. Not this session, – this year,” said Velis.
