Clear Lake Pipe Band

Do you know?

Do you know that Texas students in grades 6-12 can receive a $25 state college tuition voucher and an excused absence from school when they perform TAPS at the funeral service of a veteran?
It is true! Read the bill description below.

Here is the form to use:

TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION "TAPS CERTIFICATION" (pdf)
(mirror site)
Return the completed form to the Texas Veterans Commission, P.O. Box 12277, Austin, TX 78711-2277. A voucher in the amount of $25 for use in the payment of tuition and/or required fees at an institution of higher education will be issued to the student upon receipt of this completed document and verification that this service was provided.

Learn TAPS

Note the 8th notes in the 2nd and 3rd measure are straight 8th notes.
Listen to TAPS (mp3)

If you need help learning how to play TAPS, we are glad to help you learn. Contact us for help.

Play off TAPS for your band director.

If he or she says you are performance ready, then you are ready to begin. If there's an area you need help with, they will be glad to help.

Join Bugles Across America

Through Bugles Across America, you will be notified when there is a need for a live bugler in your area. Remember, you are volunteering to play TAPS. Many times, however, the funeral home may provide you with a small honorarium (payment) for your services.

Advertise

Write an introduction letter which contains your name, contact information, and an explanation that you are available to perform TAPS for veteran funerals. In this letter, you may want to make it clear that your services are free, but that honorariums are gladly accepted to defer costs. Give copies of this letter to all of the following in your area:

Funeral Homes

VFW Posts (and similar veteran organizations)

Hospital Chaplains

Pastors, Priests, and Rabbis at local religious institutions.

Police, Fire, and EMS stations

Local cemeteries that staff a business office

Military and National Guard installations in your area

Do it

When you're asked to perform TAPS, make sure that you dress nicely. You can wear a suit, dress clothes, or a band/scout/JROTC uniform. Be on time. Be respectful. Don't be nervous. Play to the best of your ability.

The Bill

80R3351 JRJ-F

By: Morrison	H.B. No. 1187

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to vouchers for tuition and required fees at certain
institutions of higher education for students who sound "Taps" at a
veteran's funeral.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 434.0072 to read as follows:
Sec. 434.0072. "TAPS" TUITION VOUCHER PROGRAM. (a) In this
section, "institution of higher education" and "private or
independent institution of higher education" have the meanings
assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(b) The commission shall establish a program to issue
vouchers to be exchanged for an exemption from the payment of
tuition and required fees at an institution of higher education as
provided by Section 54.215, Education Code, to students in grades 6
through 12 or at postsecondary educational institutions who sound
"Taps" on a bugle, trumpet, or cornet during military honors
funerals held in this state for deceased veterans. A voucher must
be issued in the amount of $25 for each time a student sounds "Taps"
as described by this subsection.
(c) The commission by rule shall design a form for the
vouchers and distribute the form, with an explanation of the form's
use, to each funeral director in this state for issuance to a person
who is eligible to receive a voucher under this section. The
commission may not charge a fee for distribution of the form.
(d) The commission shall encourage a private or independent
institution of higher education to grant a tuition and fee
exemption in exchange for a voucher.
(e) A voucher issued under this section may be used by the
student at any time and is not transferable.
SECTION 2. Section 25.087, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) A school district may excuse a student in grades 6
through 12 for the purpose of sounding "Taps" at a military honors
funeral held in this state for a deceased veteran. A student whose
absence is excused under this subsection may not be penalized for
that absence and shall be counted as if the student attended school
for purposes of calculating the average daily attendance of
students in the school district. A student whose absence is excused
under this subsection shall be allowed a reasonable time to make up
school work missed on those days. If the student satisfactorily
completes the school work, the day of absence shall be counted as a
day of compulsory attendance.
SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 54.215 to read as follows:
Sec. 54.215. PARTICIPANTS IN MILITARY FUNERALS. The
governing board of each institution of higher education shall
provide a $25 exemption from tuition and required fees under this
chapter to a student in exchange for a voucher issued to the student
under Section 434.0072, Government Code, that is presented by the
student to the institution.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/html/HB01187I.htm