Date: Tue, 24 Jan 1995 19:45:24 -0800 (PST) From: Highlander Subject: VfHR News Release - License Plates Veterans for Human Rights (VfHR) 208 SW Stark, Suite 306 Portland, OR 97204 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTACT: Barbara Eichberger, 503-228-8866 (days), 503-452-8374 (eves) or Anders Winther 503-223-1373 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Portland, OR. Veterans for Human Rights (VfHR), a non-profit military veteran service and advocacy organization focusing specifically on providing services and advocacy for gay and lesbian veterans and military service personnel, announces Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) approved recognition license plates. The DMV has approved a license plate through which VfHR may help increase the visibility of its organization and supporting membership, military veterans at large, and veterans who oppose discrimination. The license plate, available in mid February for all Oregon Drivers, will display the name of the organization "Veterans for Human Rights" on the left side of the plate and the numbering sequence of the issue of the plates on the right. Any Oregon vehicle owner registering their car may ask for the VfHR specialty plates. The plate will cost approximately $5 additional to the ordinary registration fee in the state of Oregon. The $5 fee is returned by the DMV to VfHR's organization treasury. The Oregon DMV provides opportunity for any military veterans organization to obtain specialty plates. The specialty plate application form outlines the description of a Veterans organizations' eligibility maintaining that the organization should exist for the purpose of supporting or recognizing veterans," and that it was "not an organization established or primarily known for promoting or attempting to influence political causes or issues other than those directly related to veterans'benefits." VfHR believes that this is the first time in the U.S. that a veteran advocacy group of its type has applied for and been granted a specialty license plate. The DMV questioned the application for specialty plates initially due to language in the VfHR constitution which the DMV _intrepretated_ as "fighting discrimination." VfHR Founder, Anders Winther, explained to the DMV, "VfHR is a patriotic - not political - organization. VfHR provides support and advocacy for veterans. The by-laws and constitution of VfHR both state that the organization is _opposed_ to all types of discrimination." The plates will be available in mid February 1995. For more information about VfHR call 503-223-1373 or write VfHR, 208 SW Stark, Suite 306, Portland, OR 97204. #### B. Eichberger | Veterans for Human Rights - We ARE Americans Portland, OR | Western States Center - Building Progressive | Community in the West