Waugh Garners Senate Support for Vietnam Veteran Diploma Legislation 

HARRISBURG – Today the Senate of Pennsylvania unanimously passed Senator Mike Waugh’s (R-York) Senate Bill 674, which extends the honorary diploma program known as "Operation Recognition" to honorably discharged Vietnam veterans. 

Waugh’s legislation amends The Public School Code to allow school districts to establish such a program in order to award high school diplomas to honorably discharged Vietnam veterans who were unable to graduate due to their military service.  

"After having tried unsuccessfully last session to move this legislation through the Senate, I am pleased by the tremendous bi-partisan support it has garnered this year," said Waugh. "While it isn’t a done deal yet, we are much closer to finally being able to offer this opportunity to our Vietnam veterans." 

Act 73 of 2001 established "Operation Recognition," providing school districts the authority to grant high school diplomas to honorably discharged veterans of World War II. Act 187 of 2002 extended the program to Korean Conflict veterans, but Vietnam veterans have not yet been included in the program. 

To be eligible, the honorably discharged veteran must have served in the Vietnam War between the dates of November 15, 1961 and March 28, 1973. Also, they must have attended high school between 1958 and 1973 and have been a member of a graduation class between the years 1962 and 1975.  

SB 674 now heads to the House for consideration.