Raymond P. Martinez, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, today was joined by Queens Borough President Helen Marshall to unveil the new "Discover Queens" custom license plate. Legislative sponsors Senator Frank Padavan and Assemblyman Brian M. McLaughlin also helped unveil the plate. The unveiling of New York's newest custom plate was held at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Commissioner Martinez said, "The Discover Queens plate is an attractive plate that offers New Yorkers a great way to show their pride in Queens while helping to support projects that promote tourism in the borough, which ultimately benefit all Queens residents. This is both an exciting and beneficial addition to our custom plate collection."

Senator Frank Padavan said, "These new plates will offer a way for residents to show their pride in Queens while providing a way to attract interest from those who don't know about the rich heritage, history and all the other things Queens has to offer. We have a rich heritage and the most diverse population in New York State. The new plate sums up Queens in a simple word - discovery," Padavan added, "and that's exactly what people are being invited to do - Discover Queens. I guarantee you WILL see the world. Queens is a great place to live and these new plates will help promote the borough, economic development and tourism."

Assemblyman Brian M. McLaughlin said, "I am hopeful that this new license plate will not only help to promote tourism and economic development, but also go a long way toward increasing interest in discovering the many cultural riches that Queens has to offer. When you 'Discover Queens' you truly see the world. I am delighted that I was able to help others learn what Queens residents have always understood: this borough is a great place in which to live and to do business."

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall said, "I encourage people to purchase this unique and colorful license plate that tells visitors from near and afar that when they come to Queens they 'See the World.' The plate recognizes our pride in our unique identity as the most diverse county in the world, and it will also raise revenue for tourism programs."

Marshall added, "I want to thank Senator Frank Padavan and Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin for getting onboard and supporting the legislation which helped to make today possible. I also want to thank the State Department of Motor Vehicles for their cooperation and response to our efforts to have visitors Discover Queens."

The initial cost for the "Discover Queens" license plate with a number assigned by the Department of Motor Vehicles is $43 with an annual renewal fee of $25. A personalized version of the "Discover Queens" plate with the motorist's choice of two to six characters, including spaces, is available for $68, with an annual renewal fee of $50.

The annual renewal fee is in addition to the regular registration fee, which is billed every two years. In every case, the $25 annual fee will be deposited to the credit of the Discover Queens fund, which supports projects that promote tourism in the county of Queens.

This plate which features the Discover Queens banner to the left of the plate number and includes the words "Visit Queens...See The World," is available to anyone who has a passenger or commercial vehicle registered in New York State. To order your "Discover Queens" license plate visit DMV's website at www.nysdmv.com, call the DMV Custom Plates office at 518-402-4838, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or visit any DMV issuing office. You may view our gallery of over 300 custom plates and ordering information for each on the DMV website as well. Individuals who qualify for the International Symbol of Access must order through DMV's Custom Plates office.

To have a JPG of the Discover Queens Plate emailed to you, please contact the DMV Communications office at 518-473-7000.