George Stovall’s parents were U.S. citizens visiting Canada when he was born on Aug. 7, 1924. His father was a Benton County native. Children born anywhere to American parents had automatic U.S. citizenship then.

Almost 84 years later, and Stovall faced a modern-day reality that sent him hunting through his past: His Oregon driver’s license was due to expire on his birthday, and he needed a new one to fly to St. Louis in September for a meeting with other World War II veterans. ...

Stovall went July 2 to the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division office in Corvallis. It was the day after the DMV, acting on orders from the Legislature, started requiring that anyone seeking a driver’s license new or renewed had to prove U.S. citizenship to the DMV’s satisfaction. ...

He’d brought his Canadian birth certificate, indicating his parents’ U.S. citizenship. He had his World War II discharge papers, his Oregon “pioneer fishing license,” his voting records and Social Security number.

The DMV rejected all of it. As far as the DMV was concerned, the only paper that mattered was Stovall’s 1924 Canadian birth certificate. ...

Mr. Stovall is not a hotheaded fellow. He contacted Rep. Sara Gelser and told her what happened. Long story short: Gelser was able to communicate effectively with the DMV and help Stovall receive both his renewed driver’s license and an apology.

That’s good, but it isn’t enough. ...

Although Stovall has his new license, he wants such changes. He has enlisted the help of Rep. Peter DeFazio and Sen. Ron Wyden. Oregon AARP also is getting involved because the new policy is harder on older people, who’ve had more time to lose papers.

Gelser said the Legislature plans to take up the matter when it convenes Jan. 12, 2009. That is a long time to require such a pointless paper chase. Governor? Legislators?