House OKs bill to give war veterans diplomas

AUGUSTA – With neither debate nor dissent, Maine’s House voted Tuesday to allow schools to award high school diplomas to veterans of World War II and the Korean War who left school before graduation for military service.

The bill, which faced a final Senate vote, was approved by a 128-0 vote in the House. It would take effect immediately upon the governor’s signature.

The bill leaves decisions of whether to issue diplomas up to the secondary schools.

Rep. Shirley Richard, D-Madison, who sponsored the bill, said she was inspired in part by her memory of two high school friends who left school to serve during the World War II.