Connecticut Legislator Proposes Whalers License Plate

SOMERS, CT — First, it was eliminating Daylight Saving Time ... Now, it's getting a Hartford Whalers License plate. It's been like humming "Brass Bonanza" at sunset for state Rep. Rep. Kurt Vail.

The latter is part of a bill submitted by Vail, who represents Somers and Stafford.

It is officially Legislative Commissioners' Office Bill 513 and would amend Chapter 246 of the general statutes to allow the Depart of Motor Vehicles to issue Hartford Whalers commemorative license plates.

The fees, which are not outlined in the bill, would be used to pay the administrative cost of issuing the plates and then distributed to "one or more charitable organizations."

On April 13, 1997, the Whalers played their last game in Hartford, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2–1. They then packed up and moved to North Carolina.

Part of the aura of Whalers games was the playing of "Brass Bonanza" in what was then called the Hartford Civic Center after every home team goal.

Everyone can hum along here:

The Whalers license plate bill has been referred to the legislative Transportation Committee.

Vail was on the clock even before the legislative session started on Jan. 4. He pre-filed a bill that would exempt Connecticut from observing Daylight Saving Time.

The stated purpose of the Daylight Saving Time bill to “allow Connecticut to maximize additional daylight in the evening in order for residents, employers, and businesses to get the most beneficial use of their time as a way to increase productivity and create additional consumer opportunities for Connecticut residents.”

Most of Arizona and Hawaii are among the states and U.S. territories not observing Daylight Saving Time.

The proposal — House Bill 5090 — has been referred to Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections.

Photo Credit: Tim Jensen (Whalers) Ct General Assembly (Vail); YouTube credit: lojosol