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Honoring our fallen

May 13, 2008

It shouldn't be difficult to get a bill passed that lets California offer Gold Star license plates to families whose loved one died while serving our country. But, so far, it has been.

Now, after three failed attempts, another effort, Senate Bill 1455, authored by state Sens. Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto, and Jeff Denham, R-Merced, looks promising. The bill, pushed by California Gold Star Families, recently cleared the Senate Transportation Committee by unanimous vote.

Under SB1455, the state's Department of Motor Vehicles would issue recognition plates to immediate family members who provide paperwork from the Department of Defense that they have lost a family member who was on active duty in the military. There would be no extra charge for the plate beyond the normal licensing fees.

Previous tries fell flat, never even getting to the committee level. So, proponents, including Kevin Graves and Michael Anderson, who are leading the effort and have spent many hours lobbying for such a bill, are guardedly optimistic. Both men lost sons in the Iraq war.

The bill, as expected, has the backing of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, military support groups, veterans' organizations, the California National Guard and the numerous Gold Star Mothers of America chapters throughout the U.S., including one in Ventura County.

Brenda Freeman of Thousand Oaks, president of the local chapter, said being able to display a Gold Star license plate would be a point of pride for families who lost a son or daughter, and a way to honor the service and sacrifice their loved ones made.

One of the key components of SB1455 is that, unlike earlier versions, it removes any financial burden from the state, which is facing severe cuts due to an anticipated $20 billion budget shortfall.

This was accomplished, Mr. Graves said, through the patriotism and kindness of anonymous donors who pledged $300,000 to cover the manufacturing costs of 7,500 license plates, the minimum order number.

If signed into law, California would become the 23rd state to offer Gold Star license plates. According to the Gold Star Families' Web Site, California has lost 425 service members in Iraq: 47 in Afghanistan; 5,575 in Vietnam; and 2,611 in Korea. That's more than any other state and all the more reason to offer Gold Star plates.

SB1455 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee where its members will verify private funds are available, Mr. Graves said. There remains no shortage of causes to be recognized with special license plates, but none is as worthy and appropriate as one honoring the servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for us.

It is time to enact this bill.

This editorial first appeared in the Ventura County Star last week.