[House Document 107-164]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



107th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 107-164 


 
          FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND AUDIT OF THE AMERICAN LEGION

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE

                    COMMISSION, THE AMERICAN LEGION

                              transmitting

THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 83D ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN 
  LEGION, HELD IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, FROM AUGUST 28, 29, AND 30, 2001, 
  AS WELL AS A REPORT ON THE ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR 
  PRECEDING THE CONVENTION, PURSUANT TO 36 U.S.C. 49




 January 23, 2002.--Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and 
                         ordered to be printed


                               __________

                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
77-630                     WASHINGTON : 2002

                          LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                              ----------                              

                                       The American Legion,
                                  Washington, DC, January 10, 2002.
Hon. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: In compliance with current public law we 
herewith transmit for printing as a House document a financial 
statement and independent audit of The American Legion, 
proceedings of our 83rd annual National Convention held in San 
Antonio, Texas from August 28, 29, and 30, 2001 and a report on 
our organization's activities for the year preceding the 
convention.
            Sincerely,
                                        Steve A. Robertson,
                         Director, National Legislative Commission.

                            C O N T E N T S

                              ----------                              
                                                                   Page
Tuesday, August 28, 2001
Bridging the Gap.................................................     1
Invocation.......................................................     8
Post Everlasting Ceremony and Lighting of the Peace Candle.......     8
POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony.....................................    10
Address: Honorable Phil Gramm, United States Senator.............    10
Report: Citizens Flag Alliance, Inc..............................    12
Address:
    Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, United States Senator........    15
    James ``Jim'' Young, Immediate Past Department Commander, 
      Department of Texas........................................    17
Presentation: Certification of Appreciation to National Chaplain.    18
Address:
    Honorable Lamar S. Smith, U.S. House of Representatives......    19
    Honorable Ciro D. Rodriguez, U.S. House of Representatives...    20
    John Morris, President, The Texas National Convention 
      Corporation................................................    24
    Honorable Charles Gonzalez, U.S. House of Representatives....    25
Presentation:
    Team American Legion, The Eco-Challenge Special Report.......    27
    Gary Berry, Department of Alaska.............................    29
    Bonnie Carroll, Volunteer Recognition........................    30
Address:
    Honorable Julian Castro, Mayor Pro Tem of San Antonio, Texas.    31
    Commanding General Dennis D. Cavin, U.S. Army Recruiting 
      Command....................................................    32
Presentation: Spirit of Service Awards...........................    37
Video: ``Who's Wearing My Uniform''..............................    39
Address: Honorable Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of the 
  Department of Veterans Affairs.................................    42
Presentation: Plaque to the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2000 
  National Convention............................................    47
Call for Convention..............................................    47
Report:
    Convention Committee on Credentials and Internal Affairs 
      (Section 1)................................................    49
    Convention Committee on Legislation and Rules................    51
    Convention Committee on Finance..............................    52
Address:
    R.R. ``Bob'' Cassels, Dominion President, ANAVIC.............    54
    Cliff Smith, Massachusetts, National Commander, The Sons of 
      The American Legion........................................    55
    General Yang, Te-chih, Chairman of Veterans Affairs 
      Commission, Republic of China..............................    57
Report: National Commander's Report to the Convention............    58
Address: Kristine S. West, New Hampshire, National President, The 
  American Legion Auxiliary......................................    63

Wednesday, August 29, 2001
Invocation.......................................................    66
Presentation: The American Legion Distinguished Service Award, 
  General Henry H. Shelton.......................................    66
Address: Honorable Rick Perry, Governor of the State of Texas....    71
Presentation:
    Children's Miracle Network, Merlin Olsen.....................    74
    Woman of the Year Award, Laura Bush, First Lady of the United 
      States.....................................................    76
Address: George W. Bush, President of the United States..........    77
Presentation: National Education Award, Tom Brokaw, NBC News.....    80
Address:
    Honorable Elaine Chao, Secretary of the Department of Labor..    81
    Major General Nels Running, Retired, Director Korean War 50th 
      Anniversary Committee......................................    83
Presentation: Employer of the Year Awards for Hiring Veterans....    86
Employment Representative of the Year 2001.......................    87
Report: Convention Committee on Americanism......................    88
Presentation:
    Department Awards............................................    90
    William Randolph Hearst Americanism Trophy...................    91
    National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.................    91
    Clifton Williams, The Chapel of the Four Chaplains...........    92
Report:
    Update on World War II Memorial, Major General John P. 
      Herring, Retired, Secretary, American Battle Monuments 
      Commission.................................................    95
    Convention Committees on Employment and Veterans Preference 
      and Other Economic Matters.................................    97
    Convention Committee on Children and Youth...................   109
Presentation:
    Garland E. Murphy, Jr. Award.................................   110
    The Child Welfare Legacy Award...............................   111
Address: Udie Grant, President of the Child Welfare Foundation...   111
Report: Section on Committee on Credentials and Other Internal 
  Matters (Section III)..........................................   112
Presentation: Department Membership Awards.......................   114
Report: Convention Committee on Veterans Affairs and 
  Rehabilitation.................................................   116
Presentation: William F. Lenker National Service Trophy..........   130
Report: Section on Credentials and Other Internal Matters 
  (Section II)...................................................   130
Presentation: National Emergency Fund Raising Award..............   134
Report: Convention Committee on Constitutional Amendments........   135

Thursday, August 30, 2001
Invocation.......................................................   137
Presentation: The American Legion Fourth Estate Award............   137
Report: Convention Committee on Foreign Relations................   138
Video Address: Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense.............   145
Report: Convention Committee on National Security Committee......   146
Presentation: Plaque and Colors to Outgoing National Commander...   163
Election of National Commander...................................   164
Administering the Oath of Office to the National Commander.......   171
Acceptance Speech by Newly Elected National Commander............   172
Election of National Vice Commanders.............................   174
Presentation of Colors to Newly Elected National Commander.......   179
Presentation of Colors to Newly Elected National President of the 
  American Legion Auxiliary......................................   179
Benediction......................................................   180



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