AUSTIN – State Rep. Dianne White Delisi (R-Temple) announced her top priority for the 80th Regular Session, House Bill 125, has been ceremonially signed by Gov. Rick Perry. The signing ceremony, held in the Governor's Public Reception Room at the Capitol, was attended by military officials from Fort Hood and other Texas military installations.
"This was the first bill I filed this session and it was a labor of love through the entire legislative process," Rep. Delisi stated. "My legislative colleagues recognized the sacrifices our military men and women face defending freedom around the world and supported this legislation at each step. Gov. Perry also understands how important this legislation is to those who serve our country in wartime. It is fitting that he sign it in the presence of these dedicated individuals wearing the uniform of our nation."
“Our servicemen and women not only serve faithfully, but willingly lay down their lives in defense of our ideals,” Gov. Rick Perry said. “We who enjoy the freedoms for which they gave their lives and livelihoods are obligated to help those who most deeply feel their loss. A college education is a life-changing token of our deep appreciation for their sacrifice and loss.”
The inspiration for House Bill 125 came last summer, after Rep. Delisi visited Brooke Army Medical Center with Dee Thurman, wife of Lieutenant General James D. Thurman, the former commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood. Also in attendance were a group of community leaders from the greater Fort Hood area.
"While visiting the American heroes, Dee and I were touched by the children standing by their parent's bedsides," Delisi recalled. "In past wars, soldiers with profound injuries often became fatalities. However, today's advanced medical care means many of these soldiers are returning to their loved ones. Unfortunately, some of these brave men and women may have suffered injuries too great for them to return to civilian employment."
Rep. Delisi filed House Bill 125, which she refers to as "Dee's Bill", to expand the higher education benefits covered under Texas' Hazlewood Act. Under current law, the children of military personnel receive these benefits if the parent dies as a result of their service. House Bill 125 expands the benefit to cover the children of military personnel who survive their injuries, but are left totally disabled for purposes of employment as a result.
"By including these totally disabled veteran's children under the Hazlewood Act, we remove one source of concern for soldiers trying to recover from their injuries. They will know with certainty that their children will be able to go to college," Delisi concluded. "It is one small thing we can do to honor their sacrifices on our behalf."
The Hazlewood Act is an education benefit that enables Texas veterans to attend a public college or university after exhausting their federal "G.I. Bill" benefits by directing these institutions to waive tuition and most fees. In 2006, the U.S. Congress expanded the federal benefit to include the children of disabled veterans. Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio) sponsored House Bill 125 in the Texas Senate.
Among the honored guests in attendance at the signing ceremony were the Thurman's daughter, Jaime, and her husband Major Miles Brown, and Colonel Richard Francey. Following the ceremony, Colonel Francey presented both Gov. Perry and Rep. Delisi with commemorative 4th Infantry Division helmets on behalf of Major General Jeffrey Hammond.
