PROCEEDINGS of the 91St Annual National Convention of THE
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PROCEEDINGS of the 91st Annual National Convention of THE AMERICAN LEGION Kentucky International Convention Center Louisville, Kentucky August 25-27, 2009 Table of Contents Tuesday, August 25, 2009 Call to Order: National Commander Rehbein .................................................................... 1 Invocation .......................................................................................................................... 1 Pledge of Allegiance .......................................................................................................... 1 POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony .................................................................................. 2 Preamble to The American Legion Constitution ............................................................... 2 Michael Peterson, Entertainer ............................................................................................ 2 Greetings: Katie Stam, Miss America 2009....................................................................... 4 Armed Forces Community Covenant Signing ................................................................... 5 Address: Admiral Michael Mullen, USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff ....................... 9 Presentation: Spirit of Service Awards ............................................................................ 13 Greetings: Desireé Stoy, National President, American Legion Auxiliary ...................... 16 American Legion Youth Champions ............................................................................... 17 Boys Nation President ............................................................................................. 17 Junior Shooting Sports Champion ........................................................................... 18 Eagle Scout of the Year ........................................................................................... 18 Oratorical Contest National Winner ........................................................................ 19 2008 American Legion Baseball Player of the Year ................................................ 20 Presentation: The American Legion Distinguished Service Medal ............................................... 21 Operation Comfort Warriors .................................................................................... 25 The Patriot Award ................................................................................................... 26 Address: Hon. Chet Edwards, United States House of Representatives ................................. 27 Hon. Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs ......................... 31 Greetings: Hon. John Yarmuth, United States House of Representatives ........................ 37 Address: Kristina Kaufmann Turner ................................................................................ 39 Presentation: Terry Woodburn, Representing The American Legion Riders ................... 42 Greetings: Hon. Jerry Abramson, Mayor of Louisville Metro, Kentucky ................................. 48 Thomas E. Cisna, Sons of The American Legion Past National Commander ......... 49 Presentation: The History of The American Legion ........................................................ 50 Greetings: Teddy W. Austin, Department Commander of Kentucky ........................................ 51 Silas Noel, President, The American Legion National Convention Corporation of Kentucky ....................................................................................................... 52 Gordon Marsh, Dominion President, ANAVETS .................................................... 52 Peter Climinson, National Chairman, The Royal British Legion ............................. 53 Col. (Ret) Lee, Byung Hee, Chairman, American Canadian Depts, Korean Veterans Association ......................................................................................... 55 Thomas Irvine, Dominion Chairman, The Royal Canadian Legion ......................... 55 Hans Song, Overseas Liaison Director, Veterans Affairs Commission, Republic of China ........................................................................................................... 56 National Commander’s Report to Convention ................................................................. 58 Certificate of Appreciation, Lawrence L. Vollink, National Chaplain ............................ 64 Presentation: Plaque to the City of Phoenix, Arizona ...................................................... 64 Call for Convention ......................................................................................................... 65 Reports: Convention Committee on Credentials and Other Internal Matters (Section I) ....... 66 Convention Committee on Legislation and Rules.................................................... 68 Convention Committee on Finance ......................................................................... 69 Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Call to Order .................................................................................................................... 73 Invocation ........................................................................................................................ 73 Address: Hon. Bob Filner, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs ..................... 74 Hon. Tim Walz, United States House of Representatives ........................................ 76 Karen Gordon Mills, Administrator, U. S. Small Business Administration ............. 80 Judge Edward F. Butler, President-General, National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution ....................................................................................... 84 MG-Craig B. Whelden, USA (Ret.), Secretary of the Army’s Representative for Community Covenant ...................................................................................... 85 Alan Sears, President and CEO, Alliance Defense Fund ......................................... 89 Kelly J. Shackelford, Chief Counsel, Liberty Legal Institute .................................. 92 Ms. Laurie Ott, CSRA Wounded Warrior Care Project ........................................... 93 Sloan Gibson, President, United Services Organization .......................................... 98 Dr. James Jay Carafano, Senior Research Fellow, Defense and Homeland Security, The Heritage Foundation .................................................................. 100 Report: Convention Committee on Credentials and Other Internal Affairs (Section III) ................................................................................. 103 Presentation: Department Membership Awards .......................................................................... 104 National Emergency Fund Awards ........................................................................ 105 National Recruiter of the Year ............................................................................... 107 Report: Convention Committees on Employment and Veterans Preference and Other Economic Matters .................................................................................................. 108 Presentation: Employer of the Year Awards for Hiring Veterans ............................................... 119 American Legion Local Veterans Employee Representative of the Year Award .. 120 Disabled Veterans Outreach Program of the Year Award ..................................... 121 Outstanding Employer of Disabled Veterans Award ............................................. 121 Employment Service Office of the Year ................................................................ 122 Homeless Veterans Outreach Award ..................................................................... 122 Address: Hon. Janet Napolitano, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security ........... 123 Presentation: Employer of Older Workers Award ......................................................... 126 Report: Convention Committee on Americanism .......................................................... 127 Presentation: The Frank N. Belgrano, Jr. Trophy ........................................................................ 127 The Ralph T. O’Neil Education Trophy ................................................................ 127 William Randolph Hearst Americanism Trophy ................................................... 128 2009 National Education Award ............................................................................ 129 2009 National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year ............................................ 129 Report: Convention Committee on Children and Youth ................................................ 131 Presentation: Garland Murphy Award ......................................................................................... 133 U.S. ‘Udie’ Grant Legacy Award .......................................................................... 133 ii Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion ............................. 134 Report: Convention Committee on Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation ....................... 135 Presentation: William F. Lenker National Service Trophy ............................................ 147 Reports: Convention Committee on Credentials and Other Internal Affairs (Section II) ..... 148 Convention Committee on Constitutional Amendments ........................................ 154 Thursday, August 27, 2009 Call to Order .................................................................................................................