SPRINGFIELD, IL - State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign) introduced legislation which allows veterans, who left high school to serve in Vietnam, to receive their high school diploma. According to Senate Bill 1936, the veterans must have lived within the school district and been honorably discharged.

"Currently, a similar law exists allowing World War II and Korean War veterans to receive their diploma, but Vietnam veterans were not included," said Senator Frerichs. "The time to add Vietnam veterans to the list is long overdue."

The introduced legislation was inspired by Raymond Collins of Catlin. Collins was drafted before he could earn his final 1 1/4 credits to finish at Catlin High School. While fighting in Vietnam, Collins worked hard to get is GED certification and was told that he could return it to his high school for his diploma. After returning from Vietnam, he was surprised that the school district refused to award him a diploma. Last year, Diana Schutz, a family member, got involved and contacted Senator Durbin and State Senator Frerichs.

"It took us 11 months from the time I got involved with the effort," said Diana Schutz. "We had to make plenty of phone calls and cut through a lot of red tape."

Through the efforts of Senator Durbin and State Senator Frerichs and the persistence of Collins and Schutz, Collins was able to receive his diploma last year after 37 years.

"The process to get a diploma awarded shouldn't be this hard," said Senator Frerichs. "This bill will ensure that Vietnam Vets looking to get their diplomas don't have to go through the same thing Diana and Raymond did."

Diana said that Raymond was happy to get the diploma and wouldn't give up on it because he felt he would be letting his fellow veterans down if he did.

"Hopefully, this legislation will encourage other Vietnam Vets in the same situation as Raymond to get the diploma they deserve," said Schutz. "I want to thank Senator Frerichs for helping us get Ray's diploma and sponsoring this bill."