[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 22]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 30722]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FEDERAL TAX RELIEF TO RECIPIENTS 
          OF DISBURSEMENTS FROM THE HOKIE SPIRIT MEMORIAL FUND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RICK BOUCHER

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2007

  Mr. BOUCHER. Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to join with my 
colleagues from Virginia, Mr. Goodlatte, Mr. Cantor, Mr. Scott, and Ms. 
Drake in introducing legislation to exclude from Federal income taxes 
disbursements from the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund received by the 
victims of the tragedy at Virginia Tech. Virginia's Senators are 
introducing identical legislation in the Senate.
  The tragedy at Virginia Tech was of a scale and senselessness which 
defies explanation. In the days following April 16, 2007, this great 
tragedy was followed by an even greater outpouring of support for the 
Virginia Tech community from across the nation. Thousands of 
individuals and organizations generously contributed sizable donations 
to assist the victims and their families in their time of need.
  The university established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund as the 
vehicle to accept and distribute these donations, and last month 
Virginia Tech disbursed nearly $7 million from the fund to the families 
of the deceased victims and to the injured students. It is the 
families' and university's desire that these funds be exempted from 
Federal income tax, and this measure takes the entirely appropriate 
step of providing this exemption.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives to obtain approval of this measure.

                          ____________________