PROCEEDINGS of the 93 Annual National Convention of the AMERICAN LEGION
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DIGEST OF MINUTES OF NATIONAL CONVENTION—AUGUST MINUTES NATIONAL OF OF DIGEST 1, SEPTEMBER 30-31, 2011 352&((',1*6 RIWKH UG$QQXDO1DWLRQDO&RQYHQWLRQ RI 7+($0(5,&$1/(*,21 0LQQHDSROLV&RQYHQWLRQ&HQWHU 0LQQHDSROLV0LQQHVRWD $XJXVW6HSWHPEHU 3ULQWHGLQ86$ ZZZOHJLRQRUJ 6WRFN1R ',675,%87,21 HD7R1(& $OW1(& 3DVW1DWLRQDO&RPPDQGHUV 1DWLRQDO2IILFHUV )LQDQFH&RPPLVVLRQ &RPPLVVLRQ &RPPLWWHH&KDLUPHQ HD7R)RUHLJQ'HSDUWPHQWV 2SWLRQDO'HSDUWPHQWV PROCEEDINGS of the 93rd Annual National Convention of THE AMERICAN LEGION Minneapolis Convention Center Minneapolis, Minnesota August 30 - September 1, 2011 Table of Contents Tuesday, August 30, 2011 Call to Order: National Commander Foster ....................................................................... 1 Invocation .......................................................................................................................... 1 Pledge of Allegiance .......................................................................................................... 1 POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony .................................................................................. 2 Preamble to The American Legion Constitution ............................................................... 2 Post Everlasting Ceremony................................................................................................ 2 Convention Opening .......................................................................................................... 2 The American Legion Youth Champions: 2010 Baseball Player of the Year ............................................................................... 7 2011 Boys Nation President ...................................................................................... 8 2011 Eagle Scout of the Year .................................................................................... 8 2011 Junior Shooting Sports Precision Champion ..................................................... 9 2011 Junior Shooting Sports Sporter Champion ........................................................ 9 2011 National Oratorical Contest, 1st Place Winner ............................................... 10 Presentation: Spirit of Service Awards ............................................................................ 11 Address: LTG Jack C. Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve ........................................................ 15 Greetings: Mrs. Carlene Ashworth, National President, American Legion Auxiliary ..... 18 Presentations: The American Legion Distinguished Service Medal ............................................... 20 Nick DelCalzo, In Honored Glory ........................................................................... 21 The Patriot Award ................................................................................................... 22 Greetings: Teresa Scanlan, Miss America ....................................................................... 23 Address: Barack Obama, President of the United States ................................................. 26 Greetings: David Dew, Past National Commander, Sons of The American Legion ................. 32 Hon. Amy Klobuchar, United States Senate ............................................................ 33 Hon. Al Franken, United States Senate .................................................................... 35 Hon. Keith Ellison, United States House of Representatives ................................... 37 Hon. Mark Dayton, Governor of the State of Minnesota ........................................ 38 Hon. R. T. Rybak, Mayor of the City of Minneapolis ............................................. 39 Thomas J. Lannon, Commander, Department of Minnesota.................................... 41 James E. Copher, President, 2011 American Legion Convention Corporation ....... 42 Presentation: Terry Woodburn, Representing The American Legion Riders ................... 42 Address: Kevin Bergner, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, USAA ......................................................................................................... 46 Greetings: Mrs. Patricia Varga, Dominion President, The Royal Canadian Legion.................. 48 General Park, Chun-Taek, Vice Chairman, Korean Veterans Association .............. 50 General Tseng, Jing-Ling, Minister, VA Commission, Republic of China.............. 51 Neil G. McKinnon, Dominion President, ANAVETS ............................................. 52 Larry Magerkurth, President General, National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution ....................................................................................... 53 Brett Reistad, President, National American Legion Press Association .................. 54 Address: Maurice Renaud, Friends of American Veterans .............................................. 55 National Commander's Report to Convention ................................................................. 57 Address: Mark Ochsenbein, Director, Tennessee Tech University ................................. 59 Call for Convention ......................................................................................................... 62 Reports: Convention Committee on Credentials and Other Internal Affairs (Section I) ........ 64 Convention Committee on Legislation and Rules.................................................... 65 Convention Committee on Finance ......................................................................... 66 The American Legion Magazine Prize Drawing ............................................................. 68 Wednesday, August 31, 2011 Call to Order .................................................................................................................... 69 Invocation ........................................................................................................................ 69 Pledge of Allegiance ........................................................................................................ 69 Certificate of Appreciation, Rev. Daniel J. Seehafer, National Chaplain ........................ 70 Presentations: Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion ............................... 70 Plaque of Appreciation to the City of Milwaukee.................................................... 71 2011 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year ............................................................ 72 2011 Firefighter of the Year .................................................................................... 73 Address: Nesse Godin, Holocaust Survivor ............................................................................ 74 Hon. Tim Walz, United States House of Representatives ........................................ 75 Hon. Hillary Rodham Clinton, United States Secretary of State ............................. 79 Kevin M. Schmiegel, Vice President, United States Chamber of Commerce .......... 80 Hon. Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs ......................... 84 Hon. Jeff Miller, United States House of Representatives ....................................... 89 Report: Convention Committee on Credentials and Other Internal Affairs (Section III) . 93 Presentations: Department Membership Awards ............................................................................ 94 National Recruiter of the Year ................................................................................. 97 Special Four Pillars for Bob Brewster ..................................................................... 98 Consolidated Post Reporting 2010-2011 ................................................................. 98 National Emergency Fund Awards .......................................................................... 99 Report: Convention Committee on Children and Youth ................................................ 100 Presentations: Garland Murphy Award ......................................................................................... 101 The U. S. 'Udie' Grant Legacy Award ................................................................... 101 Address: Hon. Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader ............................................... 102 Report: Convention Committee on Employment and Veterans Preference and Other Economic Matters .................................................................................................. 106 Presentations: Employer of the Year Award for Hiring Veterans ................................................. 111 Local Veterans Employment Representative of the Year Award........................... 111 Disabled Veterans Outreach Program of the Year Award ..................................... 111 Outstanding Employer of Disabled Veterans Award ............................................. 112 Employment Service Office of the Year Award .................................................... 112 Homeless Veterans Outreach Award ..................................................................... 112 Outstanding Employer of Older Workers Award .................................................. 112 Address: Bill Simon, President and CEO, Walmart U.S. ...................................................... 113 Gerald V. Kapinos, Program Manager, Student Veterans Association .................. 117 Report: Convention Committee on Americanism .......................................................... 120 Presentations: The Frank N. Belgrano, Jr. Trophy .......................................................................