Senator Volker Announces Senate Initiative Honoring And Assisting Our Veterans

(Albany, NY) Senator Dale M. Volker (R-I-C, Depew) and members of the Senate Republican Conference today proposed creating a New York State Veterans Hall of Fame to honor the courage, sacrifice and achievements of service men and women from across the state.

The initiative is the centerpiece of the New York Armed Services Recognition and Support Plan, a sweeping set of bills that expands benefits -- including providing combat life insurance for all New Yorkers serving in war zones, expanding opportunities for higher education, and lower property taxes -- in honor of their service.

"Today, we have young American men and women who are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, North Africa and in over 130 foreign lands around the world," said Senator Dale M. Volker. "They follow thousands of American service men and women who have fought since our nation's founding, in foreign lands, on the sea and in the air. Throughout our history we have made the decision to maintain the strongest, most well-equipped, and best-trained military possible so that we could remain the lighthouse of hope and beacon of freedom for people throughout the world who were being denied their freedom and basic human right. The Senate fully appreciate the sacrifices of our veterans and the reason why we are doing all that we can to thank them for their efforts."

The Hall, only the fourth in the nation, would honor legendary military leaders and everyday soldiers whose deeds and accomplishments both in combat and in civilian life merit special commendation. Included in that group are the 663 New Yorkers -- more than one-fifth of the total -- who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award. The Senate announced creation of a special new website -- nyvets.org -- where New Yorkers can register their support for the proposal.

The Hall of Fame proposal is one of 15 bills included in the package, which builds on earlier legislative efforts, including the innovative "Patriot Plan," which provides benefits to service men and women fighting the War on Terror. The new plan expands those benefits and includes new provisions for veterans of earlier conflicts. Other provisions include:

Ÿ The New York National Guard Homefront Relief Act -- Provides $250,000 in life insurance coverage for members of the New York National Guard called to duty in a war zone, with premiums funded by the state (S.952-A).

Ÿ Life Insurance for Troops Killed in War on Terror -- Provides $400,000 in payments to all military personnel from New York who are killed in operations stemming from the War on Terror, and includes payments for life insurance premiums for New York military personnel in combat service not covered by S.952-A (S.2947-A).

-MORE-

Ÿ Patriot Plan III -- Governor’s Program Bill that provides health insurance and death benefits to survivors of public employees who died while on active duty, funds life insurance policies for members of the New York National Guard, and creates new "War on Terror" license plates (S.5436).

Ÿ The New York Military Family Relief Fund -- Creates a new check-off on state income tax returns where New Yorkers can donate money for relief grants to families of service men and women, up to $5000 when a soldier is killed in action (S.444).

Ÿ Marriage License Extension -- Extends the expiration of marriage licenses to 180 days for Active-duty military personnel to solemnize a marriage (S.5065).

Ÿ High School Diplomas For Vietnam Vets -- Expands "Operation Recognition," the popular program that authorizes high school diplomas for students called to duty, to include veterans of the Vietnam War (S.2714-A).

Ÿ School Tax Exemption For Disabled Vets -- Authorizes school districts to provide school property tax exemptions for severely disabled veterans (S.101, sponsored by Senator Serphin).

Ÿ Increased Veteran’ Real Property Tax Exemption -- Adjusts the value of the Veteran’s Real Property Tax Exemption to account for inflation (S.4358).

Ÿ Provide property tax exemptions to veterans of the "War on Terrorism" -- Allows veterans of the War on Terrorism, including those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, to be eligible for the veterans’ real property tax exemption (S.2224).

Ÿ Free Fishing -- Allows veterans to fish for free inside any New York State Park (S.5260).

Ÿ The New York Veterans Hall of Fame -- The service and sacrifice of outstanding veterans from New York will be forever recognized through the creation of the New York Veterans’ Hall of Fame (S. 431).

Ÿ Rensselaer County Veterans Memorial Highway -- Designates a portion of Interstate 90 in Rensselaer County as "Rensselaer County Veterans’ Memorial Highway" (S.4710).

Ÿ "Persian Gulf War" License Plates -- Authorizes creation of distinctive license plates for veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War or the spouse of any such veteran (S.677).

Ÿ "Bronze and Silver Star" License Plates - Authorizes creation of distinctive license plates for recipients of the Bronze Star or Silver Star (S.3565).

Ÿ Patriotic Flag Sales Tax Exemption -- Exempts military service flags, prisoner of war flags, and blue star banners from sales tax. Currently only the U.S. and New York State flags are exempt. (S.2620).