House
Republican Press Release
February 3,
2009
Press
Office: 860-240-8700
Measures
would Extend Time for Placing Flags on Veterans’ Graves; Exempt Vets’ Pensions
from Income Tax
State
Representative Selim Noujaim Tuesday urged the Select Committee on Veterans’
Affairs to support four bills that would benefit Connecticut veterans and their
families, including proposals to extend the time flags can be flown on
veterans’ graves and to exempt veterans’ pensions from the state income tax.
“There is a
special place in my heart for those who fought to protect our country’s freedom
and the rights all of us enjoy today,” said Representative Noujaim,
R-Waterbury. “I respect and admire our veterans for their dedication and
courage. The legislation I am supporting today honors them for answering the
call at a time when our country was in danger and thanks them for the
sacrifices they made to defend us.”
“Veterans
deserve the same dignity after passing away that they received while they were
alive,” said Waterbury veteran John Rinaldi, past commander of VFW Post # 201,
who supported a bill that would allow the placement of flags on veterans graves
from seven days before Memorial Day until the Monday after the Fourth of July.
“This legislation (House Bill 5138)
would honor our deceased veterans by extending the time flags placed on
veterans’ graves by their families can be flown.”
In addition
to the bill to extend the time flags can be flown on veterans’ graves, Representative
Noujaim testified in favor of:
H. B. 5141, which would exempt
veterans' pensions from the state income tax.
H. B. 5070, which would allow a person
eligible for a veterans' property tax exemption to also receive a property tax
exemption as a surviving parent of a deceased serviceman or veteran.
H. B. 6086,
which would allow state and municipal employees to purchase credit toward
retirement for time served in the armed forces.
