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Article published Dec 10, 2003
Bill would assist military families

AMY GEIER EDGAR
Associated Press

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina military families could get some extra help under a bill pre-filed Tuesday by state Sen. John Courson, R-Columbia.The South Carolina Military Family Relief Fund is intended to help families with the cost of food, housing, utilities, medical services or other expenses that occur when a wage-earner has temporarily left his or her job to be placed on active military duty.The money won't make up for lost income, but is instead "a relief program for the unexpected costs that come up," said Lt. Col. Pete Brooks, a spokesman for the South Carolina National Guard.There are 9,200 people in the Army Guard and 1,265 in the Air Guard in South Carolina, Brooks said. Of those, 2,100 have been deployed.The bill would provide grants to families of those South Carolina National Guard members and residents serving in the Reserves of the U.S. Armed Forces who were called to active duty after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.The grants would be awarded in three categories.One provides $500 to families who had a loved one on active duty for a minimum of 30 days as a result of the attacks.The second provides up to $2,000 dollars for those whose military salary is at least 30 percent less than their civilian salary and who need assistance in paying for clothing, food, rent, utilities, medical care, car or insurance payments.A third grant of $1,000 would be available to families of guardsmen or reservists killed, injured, missing in action or prisoners of war.All the eligible families also must meet salary requirements.The grants would be funded through tax-deductible donations -- not state funds, Courson said. Residents could voluntarily check off a line on their state income tax forms to donate to the fund. Businesses and individuals also could contribute directly to the fund.Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer learned of a similar program in Illinois and discussed the idea with Adj. Gen. Stan Spears."These men and women have put everything on the line and I think it's entirely appropriate that we assist our military families in this way," Bauer said.Lawmakers will discuss the bill when the General Assembly reconvenes next month.