Rep. Harkins Honored by American Legion as 2009 Legislator of the Year

The American Legion Department of Connecticut has honored Representative Harkins as its 2009 Legislator of the Year. The award, which was presented to Representative Harkins at the Legion’s 91st Annual Department Convention July 10th, recognizes him as its 2009 Legislator of the Year, citing his “diligent and faithful service to the citizens of Connecticut as Ranking House Member, Select Committee on Veterans Affairs, Connecticut General Assembly, and for his steadfast support of the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund.”
“I’m proud and humbled at being selected as the American Legion Department of Connecticut’s 2009 Legislator of the Year,” Representative Harkins said. “As the House Ranking Member on the state legislature’s Veterans Affairs Committee, I worked with our committee’s co-chairs and the governor’s office to make sure the soldiers, sailors, and marines fund was not left short-changed during these tough economic times - particularly when our country is at war.”

“It has been my pleasure to work with my legislative colleagues and with veterans from around the state to craft legislation that responds to the needs and concerns of the men and women who have made tremendous sacrifices to protect and defend our country and our way of life. While nothing we do can repay the debt we owe them for their service to our country, I take pride in the measures our committee has developed over the years to benefit and support our veterans. It’s our way of saying thanks to them for a job well done,” Representative Harkins said.

Representative Harkins cosponsored and supported several bills that originated in the Veterans Affairs Committee, including:

• Senate Bill 846 (Public Act 09-176) an act concerning the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, which streamlines the process for disabled veterans to secure their local property tax exemptions.
• House Bill 6394 (Public Act 09-163) an act concerning the military family relief fund, which expands eligibility for assistance from the Military Family Relief Fund to an eligible member of the armed forces who is not on active duty.
• House Bill No. 5138 (Public Act 09-5), an act concerning the placement of U. S. flags on the graves of veterans, which extends the time American flags placed on veterans’ graves can be displayed. Under the new law, flags now can be flown from the Saturday before Memorial Day until the Monday after the 4th of July.