Senate Education Committee Reports Waugh Diploma Legislation to Benefit Vietnam Veterans

HARRISBURG – Today the Senate Education Committee unanimously supported Senator Mike Waugh’s (R-York) Senate Bill 674, which would extend the honorary diploma program known as "Operation Recognition" to honorably discharged Vietnam veterans. 

Waugh’s legislation would amend The Public School Code to allow school districts to award high school diplomas to honorably discharged Vietnam veterans who were unable to graduate from high school because they entered military service.  

"I am pleased by the Committee’s prompt action on this bill," said Waugh.  "Considering the sacrifices our Vietnam veterans made when they were called to service, I feel this is the least we can do to extend our appreciation to them." 

Act 73 of 2001 established "Operation Recognition," providing school districts the authority to grant high school diplomas to honorably discharged veterans of World War II.  Act 187 of 2002 extended the program to Korean Conflict veterans, but Vietnam veterans have not yet been included in the program. 

To be eligible for the program, the honorably discharged veteran must have served in the Vietnam War between the dates of November 15, 1961 and March 28, 1973.  Also, they must have attended high school between 1958 and 1973 and have been a member of a graduation class between the years 1962 and 1975.