Bellows introduces legislation to recognize American Legion centennial on State House grounds

Local American Legion leaders attended American Legion Day at the State House on March 15 and met with Senator Bellows. Pictured here are Area 4 Leader Greg Couture, Americanism Officer Deb Couture, Sen. Bellows, Assistant Department Service Office Maureen Malley and Post 6 Finance Officer Mike Madden

Sen. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester, introduced legislation to allow for the installation of a plaque on State House grounds honoring the American Legion in Maine for its centennial next year.

The Legislative Council recently unanimously approved the bill, LR 2977 “Resolve, To Recognize the 100th Anniversary of the American Legion on the Capitol Grounds,” for consideration.

“It’s a privilege to recognize the members of the American Legion for their service and sacrifice to our country spanning almost one hundred years,” said Sen. Bellows. “We are grateful to the American Legion who has done so much to promote patriotism and respect for those who sacrifice so much to protect our freedom, and it’s appropriate that their efforts be memorialized in a plaque at the State House.”

A public hearing on LR 1977 will be scheduled in the coming weeks.

Once LR 1977 passes, the American Legion will begin fundraising to pay for the commissioning of the bronze plaque, in order to have it installed in 2019.

Bills and certain resolutions submitted for consideration during the Second Regular Session must be approved by a majority of the 10-member Legislative Council. The Council is comprised of the five top Democrats and five Republicans in the House and Senate, meaning bipartisan support was required for this resolution to be accepted.