Families of fallen service members, Tammy Duckworth, Sen. Wil Espero, Reps. K. Mark Takai and Henry Aquino, join Gov. Neil Abercrombie for the signing of Senate Bill 883. (Photo courtesy of the Governor's Office)
MEDIA RELEASE
A day after military service members were honored for their ultimate sacrifice, recognition continued Tuesday at the State Capitol as Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed Senate Bill 883 into law.
The measure designates a special design, which is a gold star, on license plates for children, parents, grandparents and siblings of fallen military service members.
The designation will be imprinted on the left side of license plates in a manner similar to congressional and honorary consul license plates. Family members would be able to purchase the Gold Star Family license plates from the City and County of Honolulu for a fee.
“I’m very proud of having a part of honoring these valiant men and women who have served our country,†said Sen. Wil Espero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations and Military Affairs.
SenatoEspero along with Rep. K. Mark Takai and Rep. Henry Aquino collaborated on the bill.
Families of fallen military service members along with Tammy Duckworth, assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, attended the bill signing.
Hawaii is the 49th state to adopt a Gold Star Family license plate. Maine is the remaining state without one.
The license plates will be available by Oct. 1, 2011.
