In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as Armistice Day to remind Americans of the tragedies of war. A law adopted in 1938 made the day a federal holiday. In 1954, Congress changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans. From 1971 through 1977, Veterans Day was celebrated on the 4th Monday in October.

Our national holidays have a common factor: they honor our country or its traditions and customs. Celebrating America's past, present, and future is a function of each holiday. Veterans Day is a time to remember those men and women who served in our U.S. Armed Forces.

By a 27-0 margin, members of the House Ways and Means Committee approved House Bill 1006, which would increase traditional property tax deductions available to a wide range of people, including the elderly, those who are blind and have other disabilities, veterans and their spouses, and families that are rehabilitating their homes.

"House Bill 1006 is a reasonable and compassionate approach to helping some of our most vulnerable citizens who happen to own homes," Welch said. "It is property tax reform in the truest sense of that word, because it makes sure that relief is dedicated toward those who need it the most. I am pleased that members on both sides of the aisle recognize the importance of this initiative, and offered it unanimous support."

The legislation increases deduction qualifications in nine separate categories: the elderly, blind or disabled, 10 percent disabled wartime veterans, 100 percent disabled veterans, World War One surviving spouse, World War One veterans, one- and two-family dwelling rehabilitation, 50-year-old home rehabilitation, and residentially distressed areas.

"In all of these categories, we are raising the deductions proportionally by 108 percent," Welch noted. "In all these instances, the new reassessment has caused the value of these homes to rise, and House Bill 1006 is an attempt to raise these traditional deductions to levels that make them realistic and meaningful."

During testimony in the Ways and Means Committee, Welch's legislation attracted support from groups representing veterans, senior citizens and the disabled. Joining the lawmaker as co-authors of the bill are State Reps. Tiny Adams (D-Muncie), Scott Reske (D-Pendleton) and Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville).

"One of the reasons why the Legislature passed a comprehensive restructuring of Indiana's tax code was to protect Hoosier homeowners from the impact of the new property reassessment," Welch said. "As we have analyzed the early results from the reassessment, it has become obvious that some people who traditionally have received targeted relief from property taxes were not seeing that same level of support.

"Through the provisions of House Bill 1006, we can continue to support older Hoosiers, our veterans, the disabled and families as they continue to pursue the dream of owning their own homes," she noted. "From the strong bipartisan support this legislation received in committee, it is apparent that a large number of lawmakers feel House Bill 1006 is a needed step in continued tax reform."

House Bill 1006 now moves to the full House for consideration.