Holland & Knight Secures Passage of Honor Flight Act for Veterans

WASHINGTON (December 16, 2014) –  President Barack Obama today signed the Honor Flight Act, legislation advanced through Congress by Holland & Knight on behalf of its pro bono client Honor Flight Network. The act directs the Transportation Security Administration to establish an expedited and dignified passenger screening process for veterans traveling to Washington, D.C., to visit war memorials built and dedicated to honor their service.

The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for their sacrifices. It transports veterans to Washington to visit and reflect at the war memorials, with top priority given to World War II survivors, other senior veterans and those who are terminally ill.

Holland & Knight senior public affairs advisor Miranda Franco and partners Jim Davis and Michael Galano worked with lead sponsors Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) to secure passage of the Honor Flight Act in the Senate, where it was passed by unanimous consent on December 4. The House bill, sponsored by Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) was approved over the summer.