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Senator Pam Helming announced Tuesday that the New York State Senate recently passed two bills – one that she sponsored and one that she co-sponsored – that will protect veterans memorials and ensure the maintenance of state veterans cemeteries. The measures are part of a package of legislation geared toward honoring the service and sacrifice of New York's veterans.

"As the daughter of a U.S. Air Force veteran and the mother-in-law of a current U.S. Army soldier, I will always make it one of my foremost priorities to serve those who have sacrificed so much for us. The Wayne-Finger Lakes region is home to Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery, which pays tribute to our fallen heroes. We can never thank our veterans enough for their commitment and dedication to our country and our community, and we should not limit our show of appreciation to special occasions such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Such remembrances should take place every day. My Senate colleagues and I put on display the utmost respect and admiration that we have for our military men and women by passing this important legislation for our veterans," Helming said.

Helming co-sponsored S3906, which would require the State Division of Veterans Affairs to promote charitable giving in order to support the construction and designation of the first state veterans cemetery. The Division would produce and conduct programs, projects, and materials designed to solicit financial contributions from individuals, groups, and corporations. The Division would also apply for grants and contributions from governments and institutions and produce an annual report of the activities, operations, and progress of the promotion program.

Helming also sponsored S7870, which establishes the Veterans' Memorials Preservation Act. This measure would protect veterans' memorials so that they will not be destroyed, deconstructed, desecrated, altered, or moved and would guarantee that the valuable purpose these memorials serve in our community is not diminished. Currently, there are no laws protecting veterans' memorials in New York State, and as a result, many memorials have been destroyed by those with disregard for the sacrifices of our veterans and the importance of these memorials. This legislation would also help preserve the military history of New York State and the United States of America and ensure that future generations understand the significance of what our veterans did to preserve the democracy and the freedoms we have today.

Both bills passed unanimously and will now be sent to the Assembly for consideration.

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