Rep. Wingard bill honors public safety officers with special license plate

May 08, 2009

OREGON HOUSE REPUBLICANS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2009
CONTACT: Nick Smith, 503-986-1351

REP. WINGARD LEADS HOUSE PASSAGE OF BILL TO HONOR FALLEN PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS
WITH SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES
Proceeds from Special Plates To Benefit Families, Honor Guard

SALEM'oThe House of Representatives today passed HB 2512, sponsored by Rep. Matt Wingard (R-Wilsonville), to issue special license plates honoring fallen public safety officers. If signed into law, proceeds from the plate'is surcharge will be deposited into the Police Memorial Trust to be used for travel expenses of family members and honor guard escort to attend national memorial services.

`iThis memorial license plate will not only show our support for the tens of thousands of public safety officers who work diligently everyday, it will also show our appreciation to the 171 public safety officers who have paid the ultimate price--and to their families who must bare burdens we could only begin to imagine,^i Rep. Wingard said.

Rep. Wingard introduced the bill on behalf of the family of Washington County Sherriff Detective Randy Nunnenkamp, who was killed in an off-duty accident. Detective Nunnenkamp, who investigated crimes against children, has been posthumously honored with awards and scholarships in his name.

The family, who were present for the Floor debate, requested the bill as a way to honor Detective Nunnemkamp and public safety officers who have served and sacrificed for their communities.

`iBeing a police officer, firefighter, or any of the other forms of public safety officers is a dangerous line of work'oand these men and women do their job willingly,^i Rep. Wingard said. `iThey are jobs that make our neighborhoods and communities safer--and they will not get rich doing it. These special plates will give citizens a chance to show their support for the work our public safety officers do.^i

HB 2512, which passed on a 57 to 2 vote, now moves to the Senate.
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