[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
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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
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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