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NJ Efforts To Improve Aid To Families Of US Troops Killed In War

CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) -- There's a move in the New Jersey legislature to help those who lost loved ones in the service of our country.

Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald held a press conference at Rutgers-Camden to announce that he is sponsoring a 5 bill package to help Gold Star families, victimized by war while wearing the American uniform.

He told KYW Newsradio this will send a message to those who serve.

"Let our military men and women know that New Jersey is here to take care of their family should any harm come to them," Greenwald said.

The legislation would expand the definition of such a family to include siblings and children. College scholarships would be available to families of the fallen. The state would set up an online registry of benefits, provide a specialist in each county to navigate through the system and counselors to deal with family needs going forward.

Greenwald consulted with Gold Star family members like Melinda Kane, of Cherry Hill, who lost her son in Afghanistan six years ago.

"These are things that are lacking sometimes in the nation, sometimes in New Jersey," she said.

But there are problems with the federal government handling all the needs of those who have to deal with the loss of a loved one in uniform.

There are several co-sponsors of the proposed legislation in the Assembly, and Greenwald is working on Senate sponsorship to get the package on a fast track to what he hopes will be bipartisan approval.

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