Measure Would Authorize Plate for Families of Those Killed on Active Duty
Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Jack Conners, Matthew W. Milam and Valerie Vainieri Huttle that would create a special license plate for the families of soldiers killed on active duty received final legislative approval on Monday.
The bill (A-1958/S2192), approved in the Assembly by a vote of 75-0, authorizes a special Gold Star Family license plate for parents, siblings, spouse, children, stepparents and adoptive parents of servicemen and servicewomen who lost their lives while on active duty for the United States.
The design would include a gold star and the words “Gold Star Family.”
“Nothing we can do can help parents overcome the loss of a child, but at the very least we can do this to honor those who lost a child on active duty,” said Conners (D-Burlington/Camden), chairman of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee that released the bill. “This is a way to offer our condolences and gratitude to families who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
“Gold Star parents are the parents of heroes,” said Milam (D-Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland). “Honoring them with this basic step is simply the right thing to do.”
“This would provide families who lost a child on active duty some proper recognition,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “We cannot make up for their loss, but we can honor them.”
Under the bill, the Gold Star Mothers organization would verify eligibility for the plate, and no fee would be charged for the plate.
The bill now heads to the Governor for his signature.