Governor Bentley Joins Jason Barfield's Parents, Sister, Grandmother and Senator Harri Anne Smith Today

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 4418

Posted by: RStokes
Date: Jul 19 2012 11:25 PM

FROM COWARTS TO MONTGOMERY:    Today Alabama Senator Harri Anne Smith and staff was joined by the parents of Marine Jason Barfield at the Alabama State Capital.

Marine Jason Barfield was killed in the line of duty serving his country about nine (9) months ago. Jason’s actions at the time saved about 7 of his fellow soldiers but claimed Jason’s young life.

As Mr. and Mrs. Barfield were working in the final details of the finances of Jason’s life, they learned that Alabama demanded taxes paid on his earnings even though his life was taken for the freedom of his country. This was different then Federal in that the taxes were forgiven.

Jason’s mom sent a facebook message to Alabama Senator Harri Anne Smith. The message was sent during the time Senator Smith was in trial fighting the Washington D.C. Public Integrity Unit and Republican operatives and former Alabama Governor Bob Riley.

The night Senator Smith got Mrs. Barfield’s message she called her assistants Jeanna and Tony and got them to work on the legislation. Senator Smith sent a message to Mrs. Barfield this was an excellent idea and work was started.

Senator Smith contacted Representative Paul Lee to begin the legislation in the Alabama House and she would begin the legislation in the Alabama Senate.

The legislation passed and is known as the Jason Barfield law.

Today Jason’s parents, sister and grandmother joined Senator Smith, Jenna and Tony with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley to sign the Jason Barfield law into effect. In his death Jason is helping other families left with the responsibility to close down their financial affairs.

Mrs. Barfield said her son’s death still seems like a bad dream. But she is glad that Jason’s memory lives on and is able to help others.

In the basement of the Alabama State Capital is a board with pictures of Alabama men and women who have lost their lives for their country. Jason’s picture is on the bottom right of the display. While the law did not help the ones who gave their lives for the freedom or others, the law will help those in the future. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if it did not help anyone else in the fact no other person’s life was lost in fighting for our freedom?

Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Barfield for their work. Thanks for Mrs. Barfield in taking the time to reach out to Senator Harri Anne Smith. Thanks to Senator Smith for still working while also fighting the Washington D.C. come to Alabama Public Integrity? Unit.

Thanks to Representative Paul Lee for his help in the Alabama House.

<- back