HARTFORD—State Representative Selim Noujaim on 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.
