February 15, 2011

LAWMAKERS PUSH BILL FOR VETERANS ID CARDS?

By Luther Turmelle, North Bureau Chief
New Haven Register

Two area lawmakers are co-sponsors of a bill to issue an official photo identification card for the state’s war veterans.

State Rep. Mary Mushinsky, D-Wallingford, and state Sen. Len Fasano, R-North Haven, say giving Connecticut war veterans the card would enable them to take advantage of retail discounts offered by some merchants to those who serve their country. Mushinky and Fasano testified recently before the General Assembly’s Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in support of the bill.

The two lawmakers wrote the bill after meeting with John Anzidei, an Army veteran from Wallingford, who said he believes the problem of veterans being denied discounts to which they are entitled is more widespread than people realize.

“I’m not doing this for myself; it’s for the people who might fall thorough the cracks without something like this to help them,” Anzidei said. “I have four other members of my family who are all veterans and none of them have been able to take advantage of the discounts because discharge documents don’t come with a photo ID. I figured if there’s that many people in my family alone who had this happen to them, there must be plenty of other veterans who could benefit from this.”

Anzidei said about nine states in the U.S. issue some form of identification cards with pictures.

Mushinsky said that the Veterans’ Affairs Committee co-chairman, Rep. Jack Hennessy, D-Bridgeport, indicated it might be possible to create a veterans insignia on photo drivers’ licenses.

“The committee needs to be flexible and choose the most cost-effective method of identifying veterans so this bill may have a bright future,” Mushinsky said.

Anzidei praised Mushinky and Fasano for working together to promote the legislation.

“It’s great when politics can be put aside for the good of the people,” Anzidei said.