JEFFERSON CITY — This week, the Missouri General Assembly approved Senate Bill 600, sponsored by Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, related to veterans.
Senate Bill 600 started out as a very simple bill. In Missouri, family members of soldiers who were killed in action can acquire a special, personalized Gold Star license plate to honor them. Traditionally, the Gold Star represents a military family member who was killed in action. Senator Sater’s bill simply removed the $30 additional fee to receive this license plate.
“For Missouri families of fallen soldiers, displaying this plate is an important way to honor and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Sen. Sater. “It seemed inconsistent to me that we should ask them to pay more to do this. Picking up the cost of these kinds of things is just a small way of saying ‘thank you’ to those families who also sacrificed.”
Through the legislative process, other lawmakers added provisions to Sen. Sater’s bill to honor our veterans. One provision extends Missouri’s existing World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War medallions to members of the Missouri National Guard. Those medals are previously only awarded to those serving in the four traditional branches of the Armed Forces. It also creates a new medallion for Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The bill also creates a special license plate for female veterans bearing the words "Woman Veteran" in place of the words "Show-Me State" and waives business fees for National Guard members or active duty members of the military who want to start a business. Finally, the bill requires Missouri schools to devote at least one class period to learning about Veterans Day and allows them to celebrate Veterans Day as a school holiday.
“It is important we continue working to ensure the sacrifices of our hard-working men and women in the Armed Forces are properly recognized and respected, ” said Sen. Sater. “It is because of them our nation remains free and a beacon of hope for others around the world.”
Senator Sater guided the bill through the legislative process, advocating for it in committee and on the Senate floor. It received final approval from the Senate on May 1 by a 31-0 vote, and now awaits the governor’s signature before becoming law.
For more on this legislation or any other measures filed by Sen. Sater, please visit his Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/sater. |
