Taking time this weekend to honor those who gave their lives for our country
By JIMMY HIGDON
14th District State Senator
SEN. JIMMY HIGDON
Monday, May 23, 2016 — This weekend we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for this great country. Originally referred to as “Decoration Day,” the holiday originated after the Civil War as Americans would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers each year. Following WWI it took on new significance and all of America’s wars were from then on included and observed in the holiday we now know as “Memorial Day”.
We also acknowledge the families of these heroes who live on and continue to preserve the memories of their loved ones. In May of 2000, the “National Moment of Remembrance” was established, encouraging all citizens throughout the United States to pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m., local time.
While our servicemen and servicewomen continue to risk their lives fighting for our freedom each day, the Kentucky General Assembly has also been passing legislation to help our Kentucky veterans and their families.
We passed several bills this session aimed at serving those who served for us. House Bill 183 creates a disabled veteran-owned business certificate that makes it easier for disabled veterans to run their businesses. House Bill 225 streamlines the certification process for military service members and veterans who want to obtain teaching certificates in their area of specialty. Senate Bill 128 creates specific provisions for a Women Veterans Program.
Kentucky also has a special license plate for mothers, fathers, siblings, and spouses of military service members who died while serving, known as the “Gold Star License Plate.” If you or your family members are interested in obtaining one of these plates, please do not hesitate to reach out to me by contacting my legislative office.
I am honored to help the members of our armed forces and their families through these measures. If there is anything else I can do for you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact me.
It is an honor to serve as your state senator and I wish you and your family a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.
If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at Jimmy.Higdon@LRC.ky.gov. You can also review the Legislature’s work online at www.lrc.ky.gov.
Editor’s Note: Senator Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon) represents the 14th District including Casey, Marion, Nelson and Spencer counties, as well as part of Jefferson County. He is the Chairman of both the Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee, and the Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation. He is the Vice Chair of the Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee and the Transportation Committee, as well as a member of the 2012 SS HB 1 Implementation and Oversight Committee; the Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, and Public Protection; the Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee; the Education Committee; the Health and Welfare Committee; the Program Review and Investigations Committee; and the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee.
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