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| Date: | May 1, 2012 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| PARRY HONOR GUARD FUNDING BILL SIGNED INTO LAW |
St. Paul- State Government Innovation and Veterans Chairman Mike Parry (R-Waseca) was notified Tuesday that his Honor Guard program legislation, Senate File 1754, was signed into law by Governor Dayton. The Honor Guard program was established to reimburse veterans organizations throughout the state to assist in payment for military funeral honors, and every veteran has a congressionally-authorized benefit to have an Honor Guard at their funeral if the family requests it.
According to Minnesota Statute, the commissioner of veterans affairs “shall pay, within available funds” up to $35 to a requesting local veterans unit for each time that local unit provides an Honor Guard detail at the funeral of a deceased veteran. Senator Parry’s bill increases participating Honor Guard members’ stipend from $35 to $50 per day and clarifies the use of facilities financed with charitable gambling proceeds.
“I’m glad that Governor Dayton and I were able to put down the gloves and do the right thing for our war heroes and veterans. I can hardly wait to shake the Governor’s hand and thank him personally for working with me on this solution for our Honor Guard program,” said Senator Parry.
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