CONCORD – House Republican Leader Dick Hinch (R-Merrimack) and Rep. Terry Roy (R- Deerfield) released the following statement in response to concurrence on HB1582, relative to waived tuition at state colleges and universities for children of veterans who are totally and permanently disabled. The motion to concur passed in House session on Tuesday on a vote of 290-36.

“Although the process chosen to pass omnibus legislation leaves much to be desired, I am extremely pleased that we were able to come together and pass this important piece of legislation,’ said Rep. Hinch. “No children should be left behind at any time during their education, and this bill will ensure the children of disabled veterans are assisted in reaching their highest aspirations. I applaud Rep. Roy’s hard work and perseverance in ensuring this bill was given the attention it deserved, and I look forward to it reaching the governor’s desk.”

Roy, a first-term state representative, and veteran himself, who campaigned on support for Veterans and Law Enforcement, said he was humbled by the outcome. “I am just glad that the citizens of Rockingham District 32 saw fit to send me to Concord and through me passed this great piece of legislation,’ said Rep. Roy. “It has long been the law in New Hampshire that the children of veterans who died while serving were able to attend State schools with tuition waived. Much has changed with battlefield medical treatment and what was once a certain fatal injury is now survivable. This left many veterans in the horrible position of surviving yet still having no way to afford higher education for their children. Today, we fixed it so that the children of these heroes who have educational aspirations are no longer better off than if their parents perished on the battlefield.”

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