House honors Delaware National Guard; Colonel Hoyle urges lawmakers to consider tax relief for military retirees

Dover, Del. — The Delaware House on March 25 adopted House Concurrent Resolution 97 honoring the men and women of the Delaware National Guard and heard a short presentation from the National Guard Association.

Representative Halofsky introduced the resolution, recounting the Guard’s long service dating back to 1655 and asking colleagues to join in recognizing citizen soldiers. The chief clerk read the resolution’s title and sponsors before the chamber adopted HCR97 by voice vote.

Colonel Tim Hoyle, who identified himself as the state partnership program director and joint interagency director of strategic plans for the National Guard Association, thanked lawmakers for recent measures he said support service members and veterans. Hoyle specifically praised “House bill 1,” saying it “established the Department of Veterans Affairs,” and referenced another measure he described as “house bill 160” that he said strengthened tuition assistance for Guard members.

Hoyle asked members to consider Senate Bill 219 when it reaches the House, describing it as legislation that “would reduce tax burdens on military retirees.” He framed the change as a retention tool for experienced service members who also serve their communities as teachers, first responders and small-business owners.

Representative Wip Spiegelman offered a brief historical remark following the presentation.

Votes at a glance: House Concurrent Resolution 97 (honoring the Delaware National Guard) — adopted by voice vote; House Concurrent Resolution 106 (Transgender Day of Visibility) — adopted by voice vote; Senate Concurrent Resolution 158 (Greek Independence Day) — adopted by voice vote.

The House recessed at the end of the session and is scheduled to reconvene at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 26.