Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Governor Signs Bill to Benefit Soldiers, Injured Vets
Governor Culver signs Senate File 95 into law as veterans, lawmakers attend bill-signing ceremony
(Des Moines) On Wednesday, February 14, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. Governor Chet Culver signed Senate File 95, the Military Service Member Homeownership Assistance Program bill. It provides financial assistance to eligible soldiers looking to purchase a home and for injured veterans. Governor Culver said, “I’m proud to sign this bill. We respect and appreciate the sacrifices these soldiers and their families have made and I’m thrilled that we have a way to show that appreciation.”
Home Ownership Assistance Program:
$2,000,000 appropriation allows eligible members of the armed forces or their surviving spouse to have the state match up to $5,000 for the purchase of a home. Sgt. 1st Class Craig Staker, 194th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Surveillance), Iowa Army National Guard was present at today’s ceremony. Staker used the full $5,000 grant to purchase a home in Grimes. He was mobilized and deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2004 to February 2005. “I was so grateful to have help getting into a house.”
Injured Veterans Grant Program:
$2,000,000 was allocated to continue the injured veterans grant program. It provides assistance to military veterans seriously injured in a combat zone since September 11, 2001. Present today was Staff Sgt. Michael Levine, 2168th Transportation Company, Iowa Army National Guard. Sgt. Levine was injured by an improvised explosive device during his second deployment to Iraq in May 2005 near Balad. He received medical treatment and therapy at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma until March 2006. Levine lives in Granger with his wife, Jess. “This program provided money at a critical time to cover housing and living expenses. We were sure shocked when we saw the amount of the check.”