FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2011
Contact: Caitlin E. Chamberlain
(207) 441-0501

Secretary of State Charles E. Summers, Jr. Lauds Governor Paul LePage’s Signing of LD 986

Bill will provide for a veteran designation on driver’s licenses

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Sample Veteran Driver’s License

AUGUSTA, Maine – Governor Paul LePage signed LD 986: "An Act To Allow a Driver To Receive a Designation on That Driver's License That the Driver Is a Veteran" at a ceremony today.  The bill is sponsored by Sen. David Trahan, R-Waldoboro and co-sponsored by Senate President Kevin Raye, R-Perry.

?Our veterans deserve to be recognized for the true heroes they are,? said Governor Paul LePage.? ?Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we all share. This bill pays tribute to the acts of courage each of our veterans have displayed. I am proud to have signed this legislation today.?

Senator Trahan was hopeful that the new licenses would help make the lives of Maine veterans easier.

?As the sponsor of this bill, it was an honor for me to witness it being signed into law by Gov. LePage,? Trahan said.? ?The new driver?s license will be an easy and convenient way for our veterans to take advantage of benefits available to veterans at places such as state parks, restaurants and so forth without having to carry military paperwork.?

At the ceremony Secretary of State Charles E. Summers, Jr. presented the new driver’s license design that will be offered to all veterans.  The license features a Field of Stars backdrop for the identification photo.

?I think this is a wonderful way to honor those who have bravely served our country. I am very glad we were able to work together to come up with a cost-effective solution to create the designation,? said Summers.?

"This new law is an important change for Maine's veterans. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this initiative and, I commend Secretary of State Charlie Summers, a veteran himself, for seeing that this optional Maine driver's license is available to veterans at no additional cost to taxpayers," said Senate President Raye.

The licenses are currently anticipated to be available by September 2011.  Veterans will need to provide verification of honorable discharge from the United States military to obtain the designation. 

(L-R) Don Simoneau, former American Legion Dept. of Maine Commander, Rep. Lance Harvell (R-Farmington), Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx (D-Brunswick), Gov. Paul LePage, Rep. Jarrod Crocket (R-Bethel), Sen. David Trahan (R-Lincoln County), and Secretary of State Charles E. Summers, Jr.

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(L-R) Secretary of State Charles E. Summers, Jr., Senate President Kevin Raye (R-Perry), former American Legion Dept. of Maine Commander Don Simoneau, Senator Earle McCormick (R-Kennebec County), Sen. David Trahan (R-Lincoln County).