Contact:
Krysta West
Communications Director
Senate Republican Office
(207) 287-1505
krysta.west@legislature.maine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sen. Collins delivering floor speech

AUGUSTA – The Senate today unanimously supported an amended version of LD 1685 to create a specialty Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital registration plate. The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital is the only full-service children’s hospital in Maine. The measure has received overwhelming support so far with a unanimous vote out of committee and unanimous votes in both the House and Senate.

Funds generated by the specialty plate will help provide access to the highest standard of care to all Maine children.

On the floor of the Senate, bill sponsor Senator Ron Collins (R-York) said, “I rise today because I think it is fitting that we pass this legislation creating the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital License Plate. In 1995, Maine Medical Center announced that the children’s hospital would be named in honor of Barbara Bush. Mrs. Bush spoke at the naming ceremony saying, “It is so very important to have a children’s hospital here in Maine, children are society’s most precious asset and their care must be among our highest priorities.”

“Mrs. Bush was also a champion of literacy, and read to children at the hospital on numerous occasions. The Former First Lady will long be remembered for the contributions she made to the State of Maine.

“The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital serves children from all corners of our state and provides excellent care to kids right here in Maine. Last year alone the hospital served 100,000 children. This license plate will not only raise awareness about the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, but it will provide much needed funding, so that the patients treated will have access to the highest quality of care.

“I was honored to sponsor this legislation and I am incredible grateful of the work the staff at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital does every day.”

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