As a combat-wounded, disabled veteran, I would like to thank the good people of your reading area for electing such a fine senator in William R. "Bill" Sharpe. In fact, I would like to thank all of the senators who support veterans programs in West Virginia.
A number of laws have been passed on behalf of the veterans, including the special license plates for combat-wounded veterans.
Another excellent measure was a bill that allotted $20,000 to place grave markers on fallen veterans' graves for families who could not afford to do so. Also, the Senate approved a bill that allowed the purchase of eight vans to take veterans to and from veterans hospitals throughout the state.
I would like for all of my veteran friends to know some of the good things that happened this year. House Bill 4078 provides for a high school diploma for any veteran who left high school to join the armed forces. Senate Bill 669 sets forth a much-desired formula for tax relief for all military retirees. There was also a bill passed to build a large nursing home for veterans.
In fact, there were eight bills pertaining to veterans that passed during the 2000 legislative session -- the most successful legislative session for veterans yet.
