Schrader Introduces Bipartisan US Navy SEAL SCPO Tyrone Snowden Woods Ceremony Invitee Act of 2021

Press Release

Today, Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-05) introduced the US Navy SEAL SCPO Tyrone Snowden Woods Ceremony Invitee Act of 2021, leading Oregon's Delegation to the House of Representatives -- Reps. Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Cliff Bentz (OR-02) -- in a collective push for this bipartisan legislation.

The bill would ensure those who are assigned to a U.S. government diplomatic mission are given the ability to designate next-of-kin for certain purposes, including the permission to attend ceremonies in the event of their death during deployment.

The need for this change was brought to Congressman Schrader's attention following the 2012 Benghazi attacks, which killed four Americans, including Oregonian Tyrone Woods. When Representative Schrader met with Woods' mother, she said she was denied access to a CIA memorial ceremony honoring her late son because she was not listed as his next-of-kin before he was killed. Since that meeting, Congressman Schrader has introduced the bill each Congress, making this the fourth time he has brought this important legislation forward.

"The loved ones of those who are killed in our diplomatic missions overseas must be granted the right to attend memorial ceremonies of their family members, so the injustice that happened to Tyrone Woods' family will never happen again," Rep. Schrader said. "Mr. Woods honorably served the United States Navy as a SEAL and as a contractor for the CIA overseas, where he was tragically killed in the Benghazi attacks. His loved ones should never have been barred from paying their respects at official services held in his honor, and I will keep fighting for this bill until families are free to attend these services."

Congressman Schrader reintroduced the bill ahead of planned tribute to Tyrone Woods, where a new park in Oregon City will be dedicated in his honor.

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