M A R Y L A N D   M I L I T A R Y   C O A L I T I O N
Serving Veterans through Legislative Advocacy
1101 Mercantile Lane, Suite 260 • Largo, Maryland 20774
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Statement of Jayson L. Spiegel
Maryland Military Coalition
SB 289 – Higher Education – Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts
Scholarship – Name Change
February 8, 2023
FAVORABLE

Dear Chair Feldman and Members of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee:
The Maryland Military Coalition (MMC) strongly supports SB 289, which will change the name of the Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship to the “Douglas J.J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship.”
The proposed name change is a fitting tribute to a Marylander who served his nation and his state with distinction. A graduate of the University of Maryland, Senator Peters served as an Army officer, including deployment during Operation Desert Storm. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in theater.
As you all know, Senator Peters held a variety of leadership positions in the Maryland State Senate, including serving as Majority Leader, and chairing a wide variety of subcommittees.
Most importantly, Senator Peters was a staunch advocate and supporter of Maryland veterans. Whenever veterans had a concern or an interest in legislation, Senator Peters always listened, got to the bottom of the issue and took action. He was one of the finest friends veterans have ever had in the General Assembly.
Accordingly, renaming the scholarship in his honor is a fitting tribute to his lengthy service as an Army officer, legislator, and supporter of Maryland veterans.
The Maryland Military Coalition is a non-partisan organization of 19 Veteran organizations representing over 150,000 Maryland uniformed services men and women and their families -- almost half of the 355,000 veterans in the State.
Respectfully,
Jayson Spiegel
LTC USAR (Ret)
President