As previous visitors to this web site know, our goal is to have California issue a distinctive non-handicapped disabled veteran’s license plate to qualifying veterans. The veterans would have to have a disability rating from the VA for injuries, both emotional and physical, totaling 100%. This would be a way for California to show our veterans that we, as a state, appreciate the sacrifice they made, and continue to make, because we asked them to step in harms way.

To date we have had two bills introduced and both where held in committee because they don’t want any new license plates due to the “confusion” it would create for the general public. Never mind that this is a truly worthwhile cause. For some reason the words, “distinctive license plate” was beyond their comprehension.

As the Chairman of this committee, and with their full support and the support of the majority of Californians, I refuse to let this effort fail. We will continue to fight with all of our ability to make this happen. The people and groups I’ve spoken to can not understand why Sacramento refuses to make this simple gesture of appreciation a reality. And being a Vietnam combat zone veteran who is 100% disabled, but not yet handicapped, I understand perfectly the need for this license plate.

We now have taken on other matters that have a direct bearing not only to our veterans, but to our active duty men and women and the mothers and wives who have lost a son or husband in war. On matters that concern our active duty men and women, we will be seeking out those problems and issues that affect a service member’s moral and/or well being. As faults are found we will be taking action in the form of public awareness announcements, when appropriate, and filing factual complaints with the relevant authorities all the way up to the Secretary of Defense. Follow-up reviews will be made until a correction is made or a valid reason is given for the continuation of the current policy.

On October 8, 2008, the Governor signed into law the Gold Star license plate to honor the mothers and wives who have lost a loved one in war. To date no funding has been made available nor has an alternative been found to make this happen. We are now stepping in to find private sector funding and to have the bill amended to include husbands who lost a wife in war. Forty-six states already have this license plate and we find it reprehensible that our political leaders have done nothing to make this happen here in California.

This committee works on the belief that we should support our troops and honor our veterans. We will continue to not ask for donations, only your support. Its well beyond the time California stood up and let itself be counted among those states that have recognized the sacrifices our military has made and continues to make on our behalf.