KLEIN AND ABBATE ANNOUNCE LAW TO RECOGNIZE CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS WITH DISTINCTIVE LICENSE PLATES

BRONX, NY - Catholic war veterans will now be recognized with special license plates, now that legislation sponsored by State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) and Assemblyman Peter Abbate (D-Brooklyn) was signed into law.

“I am very proud that the extraordinary sacrifices made by our Catholic War Veterans, whose courageous acts contributed to our freedom, will be recognized in a special way.  This distinctive plates will allow us to paying tribute to our heroes each and  every  day.   We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to those who served in the military, as they are the true protectors of our civil liberties,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

“I am so proud to finally pass this bill and to honor our states’ Catholic War Veterans. What may seem like a small gesture to us will have a deep impact on them.  This is important step in showing our appreciation to these veterans for their outsize impact they have had on their country, their fellow soldiers and their families. It is my honor to have gotten to know many of them and fight alongside them for this privilege,” said Assemblyman Peter Abbate.

The Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, which was established in 1935, now joins with the many other veterans’ organizations that are recognized with their own distinctive plates: American Legion, Jewish War Veterans of America, Korean War Veterans, Marine Corps Reserve, Marine Corps League, Navy Reserve, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans, and Veterans of World War II.   The Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America has been recognized by the Veterans Administration since 1940. This organization provide assistance and support to many veterans and their surviving family members.

“I thank Senator Klein on behalf of the Catholic War Veterans Department of New York  for sponsoring the bill to add us to the list of Veteran Service Organization that qualify to have a distinctive license plates. . Since we are also the smallest VSO, having our name on a license plate will bring needed visual recognition and helps us get our name out there so the general public sees us,” David Crum, NYS Department Commander of Catholic War Veterans.

“It is a thrill to know that Senator Jeff Klein after all these years accomplished what we knew he could and never gave up on us!  These license plates give us recognition and will inspire others  to apply for plates. It is a real honor to get recognition on license plates and finally see this happen,” said Jim Mullarkey, Post Commander,  Catholic War Veterans,  The Reverend  Dennis O’Donovan Post 222.