The George Report

Long nights can’t dim true Christmas message

By State Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-74 of Clearfield County

         A colleague sent me an item about life and happiness that seemed poignant as we approach the holiday season. In part, it said:

"We convince ourselves that we will be better once we are married, have a baby, then another.

"Then we get frustrated because our children are not old enough and that all will be well when they are older.

"Then we get frustrated because they reach adolescence and we must deal with them. Surely we will be happier when they grow out of their teen years.

"We tell ourselves our lives will be better when our spouse gets his/her act together, or when we have a nicer car, when we can take a vacation, or when we finally retire.

"The truth is that there is no better time to be happy than right NOW.

"Happiness is a voyage not a destination."

Truth be told, we’ve hit some rough seas, including two wars, a bottomed-out economy and a flu that has criss-crossed the nation.

            But what better time for hope? Truly, "We could use a little Christmas, right this very moment."

            However, it starts with each of us, asking us to add to the light of goodness that burned so bright on a midnight clear more than two millennium ago. That light of goodness shines brightest when times are the darkest.

My wife Edna and I hope the reason for the season finds its way to every home, no matter how humble, and every heart, no matter how far away, this Christmas and New Year’s. May the song of peace, love and prosperity ring true in every home.

And, please, remember our troops and veterans during this holiday. So many won’t "be home for Christmas."

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On a slightly related subject, the state Transportation Department has unveiled new military license plates honoring veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

The new plates feature the standard Pennsylvania license plate colors of blue, white

and yellow along with the applicable branch of service emblem or logo on the left

side of the plate. Pennsylvania is printed at the top of the plate, with the name of

the applicable branch of service at the bottom.

To obtain one of these plates, honorably discharged veterans must complete and

mail Form MV-150, Application for U.S. Military Veteran Registration Plate, to

PennDOT and include a certified copy of their DD-214, along with a $20 fee.

Form MV-150 is available on PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services Web site --www.dmv.state.pa.us -- via the Military License Plates link under the Military

Personnel/Veterans Information Center.

Residents may also call my Harrisburg office toll free at (1) 866 354-0890 to receive the form.

One final holiday reminder involves Property Tax and Rent Rebates. The deadline to apply for a rebate on taxes or rent paid in 2008 is Dec. 31.

Most eligible residents probably already received their rebates – of up to $650 -- months ago.  However, there’s still time to apply, and forms are available by calling my Harrisburg office.

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