Support Our Troops license plate makes debut

The new Support Our Troops license plate became available to Hoosiers statewide on Tuesday. Proceeds generated from the sale of the plate will be placed into a fund supporting Indiana National Guard and reservist families.

“This is just one more small way we can honor Hoosiers who serve our country and help the family members who support them everyday,” said Governor Mitch Daniels.

Proceeds from the sale of the Support Our Troops plate will go to the Military Family Relief Fund. The cost of a specialty plate is $35 (in addition to the standard plate fee of $20.75). Of that, $20 will go to the Military Family Relief Fund. Plates will be available in all BMV branches next month.

The license plate was created as a part of Senate Enrolled Act 75, which also established the Military Family Relief Fund for Indiana National Guard members and Indiana armed forces reservists called into active duty after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Senator Mike Delph (R-Carmel) co-authored the legislation during the 2006 legislative session. He also helped design the license plate, which is being produced by PEN products, a division of the Indiana Department of Correction.

In a set of 2007 legislative initiatives designed to help Hoosier veterans and military families, the governor has proposed that the state provide matching funds of up to $350,000 annually for the Military Families Relief Fund. State funds would match all private contributions to the fund as well as revenue generated by the sale of the plate.

The new plate design can be viewed here: http://www.in.gov/gov/images/S upportOurTroops.jpg.

For more information, visit www.bmvexpress.in.gov.