DELAURO, MURPHY HIGHLIGHT NEED TO PROTECT VETERANS’ MEMORIALS

New Haven, CT – Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Chris Murphy held a press conference today to discuss the Protect Veterans' Memorials Act, which would make transporting stolen veterans memorials, monuments or plaques of any value across state lines a federal crime. Introduced last month in response to the recent thefts of veterans' memorials across the state, the legislation would impose strict federal penalties on those who commit these crimes.

The New Britain, Ansonia, Derby and Shelton communities have all been targeted by these crimes. The Protect Veterans' Memorials Act will amend Section 2314 of title 18 of the Federal Code which makes it a federal felony to transport stolen goods of more than $5,000, subject to a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of double the amount of the item stolen or $250,000—whichever is larger. The Protect Veterans' Memorials Act also removes the $5,000 threshold value of the stolen item, making Veterans' monuments of any value subject to the federal theft statute.

To replace the monuments that were stolen, the Valley Community Foundation has joined with the Derby Historical Society and the mayors of Derby, Ansonia and Shelton to establish the Veterans Memorial Plaques Restoration Fund. Contributions to the Fund will be matched by a grant from the Valley Community Foundation Board of Directors and Jamie Cohen, Valley Community Foundation President, up to $6,000.

"These crimes are more than just robberies of plaques– these memorials are a testament to the valor of our veterans, and these thefts are an assault on the respect and dignity of those being honored. They are also an assault on the values of the community, who raised these memorials to honor our heroes. We owe it to the 22,000 men and women deployed from Connecticut since 9/11 and the 222,000 veterans across our state, and the millions across the country, to honor their service and to see these disgraceful thefts brought to an end," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "The Veterans Memorial Plaques Restoration Fund will help to restore what has already been stolen and damaged, but we must do more. That is why I am proud to co-sponsor the Protect Veterans' Memorials Act, and look forward to working together with Congressman Murphy to move this bill forward."

"The recent theft of these memorials for scrap metal is absolutely sickening," said Murphy. "Our communities' memorials honor the service and sacrifice of America's Veterans and they should stand for all time as a testament to those who have worn our nation's uniform. We hope that the severity of these new penalties will serve as a stern warning against would-be thieves taking these memorials out of Connecticut, and help local law enforcement catch perpetrators in the state and bring them to justice."

Background:

New Britain

Two of six plaques bearing Veterans' names were pried from the monument in Kulper Park last year. Police are searching for the missing plaques and those responsible for what Lt. James Wardwell called "a truly despicable crime." Police have alerted scrap yards in the area to look out for the plaques, which are made of either bronze or brass. If they are bronze, police estimate the scrap value at about $1.50 a pound. The precise weight of both plaques — one about 1 foot square and the other about 9 square feet — is not known.

Ansonia

Two large bronze plaques with a list of Valley servicemen were reported missing on Dec. 1. The plaque was stolen from the War Memorial on Woodbridge Avenue and Vesselli Court. It was one of six bronze or copper plaques stolen from various memorials in the Valley since late November. The Ansonia memorial was started in 1942 as a simple flag with stars sewn on it. One star represented each person serving in the war. Two gold stars represented two Valley men killed in action — Armando Vesselli and Joseph Malloy. Each year, the city hosts a Memorial Day ceremony at the site. The high school band and chorus perform. Veterans from Ansonia and Seymour speak, and dozens of people eat a large meal in a neighbor's driveway.

Derby

In Derby, thieves took three large bronze plaques that honored Medal of Honor recipient Private First Class Frank P. Witek. Witek, a Derby native, died during a fierce battle on Guam in World War II. Witek's Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, during the Battle of Finegayan at Guam, Marianas, on 3 August 1944."

Shelton

A historical plaque honoring Commodore Isaac Hull, a commander during the War of 1812, was reported missing on Nov. 22, 2011.