WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) introduced Jen Albuquerque as his guest to the State of the Union address tonight.
To support military families and surviving loved ones, Gottheimer announced he’s cosponsoring and writing to House leadership to push for an immediate vote on the bipartisan Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Improvement Act.
Gottheimer also announced the creation of the new Fifth District Sgt. First Class Michael Goble Memorial Award, to honor North Jersey’s unsung heroes committed to supporting military families and veterans.
Also at the annual State of the Union address before Congress, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ-09) was joined by his guest, Rabbi Zev Reichman, head of East Hill Synagogue in Englewood and a teacher at the Torah Academy of Bergen County in Teaneck.
‘It is our duty as Americans…’
Goble, who grew up in the Township of Washington and graduated Westwood Regional High School, was killed this past December while serving our country in Afghanistan.
Goble was a member of the U.S. Special Forces. He with his unit in the Kunduz Province clearing out a Taliban weapons cache when he was fatally injured from an explosion. He was set to return home just a few weeks later from his fourth and final tour of duty.
Albuquerque and Goble met nearly 10 years ago and together have a 6-year-old daughter, Zoey.
In announcing his guest and his push for passage of the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Improvement Act, Gottheimer said “It is our duty as Americans not only to honor these men and women, but to do everything we can to fight for their surviving loved ones, to ensure they have the care they need, and the support we all owe them.”
He added, “Together, by taking care of our military families, surviving loved ones, and veterans in North Jersey, continuing to work across the aisle, and fighting for change here in Congress, we can live up to our nation’s commitment to those who gave the last full measure of devotion.”
Gottheimer said Goble “was just like many of us, with hopes and dreams. He lived his life filled with friends, family, hobbies, and lots of activities. But Mike was also different. Mike was a Green Beret, one of America’s finest warriors. Mike loved his job and he loved his country. He was a true patriot.”
Albuquerque added, “He died while fighting our nation’s enemies. He died while making the world a better place for all of us and for all our children.”
Goble’s military awards and recognitions included the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. (See Funds Sought for Family of Green Beret Goble, Killed in Afghanistan, Dec. 24, 2019.)
Gottheimer’s announcement to boost support for military families and their loved ones includes the following measures:
- Gottheimer will cosponsor and lead a bipartisan letter calling on House leadership to bring up the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Improvement Act for an immediate vote. This bipartisan legislation increases the benefits of Gold Star families after tragically losing a loved one.
- Gottheimer announced the creation of the Fifth District Sgt. First Class Michael Goble Memorial Award to honor the unsung efforts of residents in North Jersey committed to caring for military families and families.
- Gottheimer has cosponsored the BRAVE Act: a bipartisan bill to increase investment from the VA for burial and funeral expenses of veterans and expenses from a veteran’s death due to a service-connected disability.
- Gottheimer has cosponsored the Honoring Veterans Families Act: bipartisan legislation to authorize the Secretary of the VA to provide inscriptions for spouses and children on headstones and markers of the fallen.
In December, the House passed the Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, so military survivor benefits received by children as earned income are tax exempt.
The House passed the Fallen Heroes Family Travel Act, for the Secretary of Defense to provide family members of the Armed Forces who die outside of the United States with travel to Dover Air Force Base.
The House also passed the Shauna Hill Post 9/11 Education Benefits Transferability Act.
Gottheimer cosponsored and helped pass the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act.
Pascrell, Reichman speak out on anti-Semitism
In welcoming Reichman to the Capitol, Pascrell said, “As acts of anti-Semitism bedevil our communities in New Jersey and across America, it is imperative that we demonstrate our total resolve. Rabbi Reichman’s presence at tonight’s speech helps provide moral clarity to our national mission against anti-Semitism.”
He said, “The Nonprofit Security Grant Program we fought for has helped congregants at East Hill Synagogue feel more secure in their house of worship. I will work to keep the people’s Congress, our state, region, and nation focused on funding this critical program as we stand together to defeat hate.”
Pascrell added, “Some issues should transcend partisan politics. We should all agree to increase the vital funding to provide security to vulnerable nonprofits. I know the difference this assistance can make.”
Reichman said, “I have seen the distress members of my community have felt due to the rise of violent anti-Semitism. Our synagogue has been made more secure with funds from the Nonprofit Security Grant. We are extremely thankful to Congressman Pascrell for his consistent support for this program and for fighting to increase the available funding. Bill is a real leader who is looking to make a difference on vital issues.”
Pascrell has long championed increased funding for NSGP. He helped secure in 2016 a $75,000 NSGP award for East Hill Synagogue, where Reichman serves. He also joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last month as she officially signed legislation authorizing the NSGP program.
In December 2019, Reps. Pascrell and Peter King (R-NY-02) led a letter calling for the NSGP to be funded at $90 million, citing “the rise of hate groups in our nation, the record of threats facing members of our community, and the FBI’s continued concern about domestic violent extremism” as evidence that NSGP resources must be increased.
One week after their letter, the requested funding was passed by the House.
Pascrell has also led in calling for increased federal efforts to combat domestic extremism.
In January, Pascrell and Josh Gottheimer held an interfaith event with religious leaders, law enforcement, and cultural groups to highlight the need to combat hate in our communities.
