NEWS from: THE AMERICAN LEGION 338 INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46206 P. 0. BOX 1055 ME 5-8411 National Headquarters AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE (ALNS) LEGION NEWS BRIEFS FOR WEEK ENDING 10-2-61+ Newly elected National Commander Donald E. Johnson of The American Legion has wired his congratulations to Sen. Richard B. Russell (D-Ga.) and Rep. F. Edward Hebert (D-La.), respective chairmen of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, and their colleagues who supported the passage of H.R. 9124, the Reserve Officers Training Corps vitalization bill. The Senate version of the ROTC bill passed on Sept. 29, and modified only slightly the bill passed by the House on June 23, 1964. A district commander in the Indiana American Legion is now toting around a live duck named "Goldbrick" while 10 other district commanders are trying to make sure that he keeps the duck in his possession. The duck will be around all year to pester the commander whose district has the lowest per- centage of quota of 1965 memberships. The National Emblem Sales of The American Legion has announced that a new life membership tab, an inverted arc which fits below the past officer button or the regular Legion button, is now available. The American Legion and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) are "essentially two membership organizations that grew out of chaotic conditions," Richard F. Walsh, vice president of the AFL-CIO, has told Legionnaire delegates who attended the 46th National Convention in Dallas, Tex. "National Employ the Handicapped Week" this year will be observed the week of Oct. 4-10, and The American Legion is again cooperating in the nationwide observance of the program, the Legion's National Economic Commission has announced. NEWS from: THE AMERICAN LEGION 339 INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46206 P. 0. BOX 1055 ME 5-8411 National Headquarters AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE (ALNS) FOR BMEDIATE RELEASE 10-2-6U WASHINGTON -(ALUS)- Newly elected National Conmander Donald E. Johnson of The American Legion has wired his congratulations to Sen. Richard B. Russell (D-Ga.) and Rep. F. Edward Hebert (D-La.), respective chairmen of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, and their colleagues who supported the passage of H.R. 912k, the ROTC vitalization bill. The Senate version passed on Sept. 29, modified only slightly the bill passed by the House on June 23, 196k. In his telegram National Commander Johnson stated that "since its very earliest days The American Legion has been a staunch supporter of the Reserve Officers Training Programs in high schools, colleges and universities. As an organization we are most pleased to see that the Congress has strengthened the program that we believe to be the backbone of officer procurement for the armed services." If signed into Law by the President, the bill will expand the Junior ROTC pro- gram to 1,200 high schools and offer new attractions in the senior ROTC program at the college level. In the House hearings, Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara opposed the junior ROTC expansion as having no military value. Both the House and Senate overruled this objection and ordered the expansion. The legislation would also provide authority for a two-year senior ROTC program in colleges and universities along with the existing four-year program. The bill makes provision for Army and Air Force scholarships not to exceed a total of 5,500 students by 1965, at an average of about $800 per student. The Navy under its Holloway Plan has had a four-year ROTC scholarship program for years. Scholarship students would be eligible for $50 per month during the academic year. The bill also contains authority for a uniform allowance of $300 for ROTC grad- uates accepting a regular Army commission as well as increases for summer training pay and travel allowances. 340 NEWS from: THE AMERICAN LEGION INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46206 P. 0. BOX 1055 ME 5-8411 National Headquarters AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE (ALNS] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10-2-64 INDIANAPOLIS —(ALNS) — A district commander in the Indiana American Legion is now toting around a live duck named "Goldbrick", while 10 other district com- manders are trying to make sure that he keeps the duck in his possession. The Legion commander whose district had the lowest percentage of quota of 1965 member- ships on Aug. 29 was the first to assume custody of "Goldbrick." The duck will be around all year to pester the low ranking (membership-wise) districts. At the start of this year's membership drive, the district commanders all signed an agreement that should they have custody of "Goldbrick", that he would accompany them, be properly introduced, and placed upon display at all meetings and Legion functions during the time that the duck was in their care and control. MONTPELIER, Vt. — (ALNS)— The Vermont American Legion is the 15th depart- ment to go over its 196k membership goal. The Green Mountain State on Sept. 2k reported an enrollment of 11,531 Legionnaires or 100.37 per cent of the department's goal of 11,1489. A message of congratulations has been sent by National Commander Donald E. Johnson to past department commander Albert B. Grazini of Rutland, Vt. INDIANAPOLIS —(ALNS)— The National Emblem Sales of The American Legion has announced that a new life membership tab has been approved and is now available. The tab is a inverted arc which fits below the past officer button and will work equally well below the regular American Legion button. The life membership tab is available in 10K gold quality at $1.80 each plus 18^ federal excise tax and in 14K gold at $2.1)0 each plus 2k$ federal excise tax. Proper certification of an individual's life membership should accompany each order. Orders should be placed direct with the National Emblem Sales, The American Legion, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206. On all orders under $3.00, add 25$ for postage and handling. NEWS from: THE AMERICAN LEGION 341 INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46206 P. 0. BOX 1055 ME 5-84U National Headquarters AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE (ALNS) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10-2-64 DALLAS, Tex. —(ALNS) — The American Legion and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) are "essentially two membership organizations that grew out of chaotic conditions," Richard F. Walsh, vice president of the AFL-CIO, has told the Legionnaire delegates that attended the 46th National Convention. Speaking at the final business session in Dallas Memorial Auditorium on Sept. 24, Walsh noted that the Legion grew out of a war while the AFL-CIO grew out of a labor war because people wanted representation. "Therefore, we go into legislation together and we have been able to work together to see that the veterans have received some of the Justice they deserve under the laws of our country and, of course, you have aided us in many of our moves in connection with the advancement of the American labor movement," Walsh said. In his address to the 46th National Convention, Walsh directed his remarks to the increasing growth of juvenile delinquency in this country. "Although this is probably an unpopular subject to bring up before fathers and mothers, it is probably no more unpopular than when we (The American Legion and the AFL-CIO) started our fight against communism many years ago." The AFL-CIO vice president stated that "what we have to do is to educate the parents. In order to wipe out juvenile delinquency the job must start in the home." NEWS from: THE AMERICAN LEGION 342 INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46206 P. 0. BOX 1055 ME 5-8411 National Headquarters AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE (ALNS) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10-2-6U WASHINGTON — (ALNS) — "National Employ the Handicapped Week" this year will be observed the week of Oct. U-10, and The American Legion is again cooperating in the nationwide observance of the program, the Legion's National Economic Commission has announced. The President's Committee on Employment of the Physically Handicapped has been continuously supported by The American Legion since Congress adopted a resolution on Aug. 11, I92+5, establishing "NEPH Week." The associate members of the committee, consisting of the President's cabinet, the chairman of the U.S. Civil Service Commission, the administrator of the General Services Administration and the director of the Office of Emergency Planning, have issued the following Joint statement supporting this movement; "We are convinced that the hire-the-handicapped program is not only economi- cally sound, but morally and socially just. Therefore, we pledge ourselves to in- creased efforts to show this country and the world what can be done to utilize to the fullest extent possible the skills, talents, and capabilities of our disabled veterans and other handicapped citizens." Departments are urged by the National Economic Commission to participate 100 per cent in support of this worthwhile program by awarding an authorized certificate of appreciation to an employer of each state who is selected by department officials for doing an outstanding job in hiring the handicapped, especially the disabled war veteran. American Legionnaires are also urged to remind their communities and local business concerns of this important non-partisan effort. NEWS from: THE AMERICAN LEGION 343 INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46206 P. 0. BOX 1055 ME 5-84U National Headquarters AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE (ALNS) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10-2-64 ALBUQUERgjE, N.M. —(ALBS)— American Legionnaire Joe E. Staley was a candidate for department commander of the New Mexico American Legion in 1962 when he was stricken with cancer and had to have his voice box removed.