Congressman Evans Delivers Speech about His First Bill Passing the House
Today Congressman Gabe Evans delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on the bipartisan Benefits that Endure for Lifetimes Of Service Act (BELO’S) Act – named after Marc Belo, Evans’ friend and fellow veteran and Black Hawk helicopter pilot who passed away from service-related cancer one year ago this week – which would expand free access to National Parks to the families of veterans who passed away from a service-related illness or accident.
Watch his speech here or read segments of the transcript below:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of this bill H.R. 1682, the Benefits that Endure for Lifetimes Of Service Act, or BELO’s Act, and named after Marc Belo, a fellow veteran, aviation legend, and friend who I had the great honor of serving with. This bill would honor our nation’s fallen heroes and their loved ones by expanding free access to National Parks to the families of veterans who pass away from a service-related illness or accident.
As a former Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot, I had the blessing of serving with countless incredible men and women across the active duty, reserve, and National Guard components of our armed forces. During that time, I took on many roles, from supporting wildfire fighting efforts to deploying as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Any soldier or veteran will tell you that service to the nation takes many forms – but that also means sacrifice does too.
When I learned that under existing law, only the families of soldiers who died in active-duty combat operations were eligible for free, lifetime National Parks passes – I immediately thought of my friend and fellow veteran, First Sergeant Marc Belo. I served alongside Sergeant Belo for a decade in the Colorado Army National Guard. Belo was already a senior sergeant and Crew Chief when I was a young lieutenant. He took me under his wing from day one, and whether it was a domestic operation fighting fires, search and rescues or whether it was deploying overseas in the Middle East as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Marc and I were in it together. He was the heart and soul of our Alpha Company “Wolfpack” and the 2-135th General Service Aviation Battalion “the Blackjacks.”
An amateur photographer and a true patriot who was a 9/11 First Responder and who gave his life to the nation for more than 30 years, the passage of this bill could not come at a more timely but tragic moment, because unfortunately one year ago this week Marc tragically passed away from cancer related to his military service. His family, friends, and all who served with him were devastated.
This is a story that unfortunately sounds all too familiar to veterans all across our country – a friend you served with being taken far too soon by a service-related illness or injury. But the circumstances of their deaths could never minimize the magnitude of their sacrifice. That is why I am proud to sponsor the bipartisan – alongside Mr. Panetta from California – BELO’S Act to ensure that the families of service members who die in non-combat related circumstances like training accidents or service-connected illnesses are still honored with free, lifetime passes to enjoy America’s beautiful national parks. While this will benefit military families from coast to coast, it will especially make a difference for the military families in my district, who are blessed to live so close to some of the most beautiful public lands and national parks in the country. It truly is the least that we can do to thank veterans’ families for serving right alongside their loved ones.
Veterans and military families often find solace, peace, and healing in the great outdoors. Whether it’s coping with PTSD, undergoing physical training, or coming to terms with the loss of a loved one – national parks play a vital role in their health and well-being. It is my sincere hope that this bill can play a small role in helping military families, like the Belos, find peace in their loss and honor their loved ones that were taken too soon.
This week marks one year since Marc left us, but his legacy lives on and is now helping other veterans’ to do the same.
I urge my colleagues to join me today in honoring American heroes like Marc Belo and their families in passing this important bill. Thank you and I yield back.