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For Immediate
Release
6/22/06
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Pippy, Regola and Mann Applaud Passage of
Funeral Protest Limits
Bill to
Limit Pickets & Abusive Chants at Funerals Goes to Governor
HARRISBURG -- State
Sen. John Pippy, R-Allegheny, Sen. Bob Regola, R-Westmoreland, and state Rep.
Jennifer Mann, D-Lehigh, applauded today's final passage of legislation they
spearheaded to limit the scope of protests at funerals and memorial services.
Senate Bill 1150
received final Senate approval today and was sent to the governor to be
signed into law.
The lawmakers
took action in response to incidents of pickets and abusive chants
targeting Pennsylvania military funerals. The protesters have been
targeting grieving family members with vulgar language and other
harassments to protest social and political issues.
Senators Pippy
and Regola sponsored Senate Bill 1150, while Representative Mann and
Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-60) led the effort in the House of Representatives.
Representative Mann sponsored House Bill 2496, legislation similar to
Senate Bill 1150.
"The bill is very
limited in its scope. We looked at legislation in states around the
country to strike the proper balance between the right to protest and
the right to mourn in peace," said Pippy. "A funeral is certainly a
place where citizens have a legitimate expectation of privacy. I
appreciate Senator Regola's work in helping me get this passed in the
Senate, and Representative Mann's and Representative Pyle's efforts to
move it through the House. The sooner we enact this law, the sooner we
can end this harassment."
"This was a
bipartisan effort to support our military families, and all families in
Pennsylvania, during whatever kind of memorial service or manner they
choose to lay their loved ones to rest. These families have a right to
say their final goodbyes without hearing the taunts of protesters who
are using someone else's grief to push their political agenda," Mann
said.
The legislation
requires protesters to remain 500 feet from any funeral, memorial
service or memorial procession beginning one hour before and ending one
hour after the event. Violators would be charged with a third-degree
misdemeanor.
"It's sadly
ironic that these people abuse their right to free speech by disrupting
the memorial services for those who protect all of the other rights that
we enjoy as Americans," said Regola. "There is no place for that type
of disrespectful behavior. It is intolerable and I am pleased that the
General Assembly worked in a timely manner to put this legislation on
the Governor's desk. I applaud Senator Pippy and Representative Mann
for their leadership in this effort. The fact that this bill moved as
quickly as possible shows the importance of this issue and I believe
reflects the views of the people of the Commonwealth."
Wisconsin,
Indiana and South Dakota have recently enacted laws limiting protests at
funerals, and at least 12 other states are considering similar
legislation. The legislation is supported by the American Legion, the
Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police and the Pennsylvania War Veterans
Council and other organizations.
On Memorial Day,
President Bush signed federal legislation that would limit protests at
memorial services in national cemeteries.
  Pippy
Regola
Sen. John Pippy (R-37) speaks on
the Senate floor about the passage of
Senate Bill
1150, which would
limit the scope of
protests at funerals and memorial services and protect the rights of
grieving
military families.
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