‘Gold Star Fathers’ bill passes Senate, has Bend connection

A bill authored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., to ensure any unmarried parent of a child killed in action or left totally and permanently disabled receives equal hiring benefits was passed Wednesday night by the U.S. Senate.

Parents whose children are killed in action are referred to as “Gold Star parents” because they traditionally display a Gold Star flag that shows their loss and sacrifice. Among the benefits to recognize unmarried Gold Star moms’ sacrifice has been a 10-point hiring preference when they apply for federal jobs.

Wyden learned from long-time Baker City resident Steve Ellis that unmarried Gold Star dads do not receive the same benefit, after Ellis’ daughter. Army Corporal Jessica Ann Ellis, was killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad in May 2008.

The soldier grew up in Lakeview but listed her hometown as Bend, as she was attending COCC.

Steve Ellis would not benefit from the changes proposed in the bill, S. 2323, because Ellis is married.

“Nobody can end the grief of parents whose children have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Wyden said. “But what we can—and must—do is make sure the federal government equally recognizes the sacrifices made by these moms and dads. Steve pointed out the inequity in the law, not for his benefit, but because it should be fixed.”

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, passed the Senate without objection Wednesday night . It now goes to the House for consideration.