FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2007
Contact:  Erin Marsicano
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Senator Waugh Introduces Bill to Eliminate Fee for Gold Star Family License Plates

Currently families who lost a loved one during active duty must pay $20.00 on top of registration fee

HARRISBURG – Senator Mike Waugh (R-York) has introduced legislation, Senate Bill 372, allowing Pennsylvania families to obtain Gold Star Family license plates without having to pay a $20.00 fee in addition to the annual registration fee.

A Gold Star Family is one which has had a family member killed while on active duty in the military.  Immediate family members, including a spouse, parent, stepparent, parent through adoption, foster parent, child, stepchild, adopted child, sibling, and half sibling, are able to apply for the Gold Star Family license plate, which allows the family members to commemorate their loved one.

Waugh was contacted by a constituent from York County, who expressed concern that these families are dealing with the loss of a family member who sacrificed their life for liberty and freedom, yet must still pay for the license plate to honor that family member.

"I certainly have to agree with my constituent," says Waugh.  "The families of our military men and women pay a sacrifice, just as their sons and daughters do, and we should extend our appreciation to them for those sacrifices.  The least we can do is provide them the opportunity to obtain a special license plate without incurring a fee."

SB 372 now awaits referral to a Senate Committee for consideration.