Congressman Kline: Schedule Hearings on HR515 to Add Loss of a Child to the FMLA

Dear Congressman:

As you well know, I have focused my efforts for years of getting hearings for HR515, The Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger Act in Congress which adds up to 12 weeks unpaid for loss of a child, to the Family Medical Leave Act.My daughter Erica Kluger died in April 2001. 12 weeks off to have a child, 3-5 days to bury that child.

Today, this bill has 42 sponsors in the House and sits in the Workforce and Education Committee which you chair.As the 113th Congress winds down and an election looms, I am hoping that you will schedule hearings and let this bill succeed or fail on its merits. The bill costs taxpayers and employers nothing, as stated by Congressman Paul Gosar of Arizona, a co-sponsor and member of your party.

Compassion must take the place of politics and take into account, the D’s, R’s, I’s, Jews, Christians, Muslims, rich, poor, White, Black and Hispanic who have lost children and forced to return to the workplace and fired in many cases for lack of productivity. Employees lose and employers lose, as they have to retrain and deal with morale issues.

A few weeks ago, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 prostate cancer and begin radiation in a few days. Erica’s legacy and those of hundreds of thousands of our children must continue. We ask for the opportunity to state our case and let your Committee weigh the arguments.You have enormous power here and ask you use it wisely.

Respectfully,

Barry Kluger