PA Governor Rendell Unveils Gold Star License Plate for Military Families

New Plate Presented to Mother of Deceased Army Ranger

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 29 -- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today presented Pennsylvania's new Gold Star Family license plate to the mother of a U.S. Army Ranger who was among the first soldiers to die while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Governor Rendell presented the license plate to Ruth Stonesifer, the Department of Pennsylvania President of the American Gold Star Mothers, who was a driving force behind the creation of the new plate. Her son, Kristofor Stonesifer, was killed in a helicopter crash in Pakistan on Oct. 19, 2001, during an operation to move troops into Afghanistan. PFC Stonesifer spent most of his life in Doylestown, Bucks County.

"We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Kris Stonesifer and the other brave men and women who have courageously given their lives while serving our nation," Governor Rendell said. "The Gold Star Family license plate is another way in which family members may honor the treasured memory of their loved ones."

The Gold Star Family license plate is available to family members of persons killed while serving on active duty. Applicants must provide proper documentation and a fee of $20 to the Department of Transportation. The application, Form MV-912, is available through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services Web site at http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/.

The Gold Star Family plate is the 16th special military license plate to be created by the General Assembly. The others include the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War plates.

The new license plate was authorized by House Bill 2498, sponsored by Rep. Charles McIlhinney of Bucks County. Governor Rendell ceremoniously signed the legislation today. It was originally signed on Oct. 4.

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.