PROCEEDINGS of the National Executive Committee of THE AMERICAN LEGION National Headquarters Indianapolis, Indiana May 4-5, 2011 Table of Contents Wednesday, May 4, 2011 Invocation .......................................................................................................................... 1 Roll Call ............................................................................................................................ 2 Opening Remarks: Jimmie L. Foster, National Commander ............................................. 4 Greetings: Carlene E. Ashworth, American Legion Auxiliary National President ............ 8 Special Memorial Resolution for Frank Buckles ............................................................... 9 Report: Subcommittee on Resolutions............................................................................. 10 Memorial Resolutions .............................................................................................. 11 Eulogies for Past National Commander John H. Geiger .................................................. 12 Resolution No. 1: The American Legion John H. Geiger Operations Center .................. 18 Report: National Historian ............................................................................................... 20 Report: Americanism Commission .................................................................................. 21 Resolutions: No. 37: Junior Law Cadet Program ......................................................................... 27 No. 38: Proper Display, Care and Respect of the American Flag ............................ 28 Report: Membership and Post Activities Committee ....................................................... 29 Report: Finance Commission .......................................................................................... 33 Emblem Committee ................................................................................................. 36 Insurance Committee ............................................................................................... 37 Resolutions: No. 2: Award the 2018 National Convention to the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota ..................................................................................................... 38 No. 3: Award the 2019 National Convention to the City of Indianapolis, Indiana .. 39 No. 4: National Convention Registration Fee .......................................................... 40 No. 5: Amending Guidelines for the National Convention Stabilization Fund ........ 40 No. 6: Armed Services Academy Awards Update ................................................... 42 No. 7: Authorization for The American Legion and Legion Racing to Enter Into an Agreement with US Coin Boards, LLC, to Raise Funds for the Legion Racing Freedom Car ......................................................................... 43 No. 8: 2011 American Legion Boys Nation Contract .............................................. 44 No. 9: Authority to Amend Agreement with Michael Peterson ............................... 44 No. 10: Rescinding of Res. No. 17, National Executive Committee, October 2009--Travel Policy for Call-Ins .................................................................. 45 No. 11: Establishment of The American Legion Amateur Radio Club .................... 45 No. 12: Label the Four Pillars on the National Headquarters Building in Indianapolis ................................................................................................. 46 No. 13: Rescission of Outdated Resolutions ............................................................ 47 No. 14: Rescinding of Insurance Resolutions .......................................................... 50 Reports: 2010 National Convention Committee of Wisconsin .............................................. 56 National Convention Commission ........................................................................... 58 Resolutions: No. 40: 2014 National Convention Contract............................................................ 61 No. 15: Rescinding of National Convention Commission Resolutions ................... 61 Report: Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission ............................................... 63 Resolutions: No. 35: The American Legion Position on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Strategic Capital Investment Planning (SCIP) Program ..................... 76 iii No. 36: Improvements Needed for the Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits for Veterans Who Have Served in a Combat Theater .................................. 77 Wednesday Afternoon Session Resolutions: No. 41: Rescinding Non-Legislative Resolutions from the Subcommittee on Resolutions ................................................................................................ 79 No. 42: Appointment of a Veterans Policy Oversight Committee ........................... 85 No. 43: Centennial Task Force for the Future .......................................................... 86 Report: Foreign Relations Commission ........................................................................... 87 Resolutions: No. 18: POW/MIA Accounting Policies .................................................................. 92 No. 19: Rescinding Obsolete Resolutions Dealing with Foreign Relations ............. 93 Report: The American Legion Magazine Commission .................................................... 94 Report: Commission on Children and Youth ................................................................... 96 Resolution No. 39: Rescinding of Children & Youth Non-Legislative Policy Resolutions .............................................................................................................. 99 Report: National Security Commission ......................................................................... 102 Resolutions: No. 20: Flexible Savings Accounts ........................................................................ 108 No. 21: Uniform Standards for Combat Military Occupational Specialties ........... 109 No. 22: Oppose Widow's Tax ................................................................................ 110 No. 23: Military Readiness .................................................................................... 111 No. 24: The American Legion's Position on Tricare .............................................. 112 No. 25: Rare Earth Elements ................................................................................. 113 No. 26: Reserves and National Guard Retirement Benefit Fairness ...................... 114 No. 27: Rescinding Obsolete Resolutions Dealing with National Security ........... 114 Report: Ad Hoc Committee for TBI/PTS ...................................................................... 125 Report: Economic Commission ..................................................................................... 131 Resolutions: No. 28: Support Licensure and Certification Standards for Veterans Health Administration ............................................................................................... 141 No. 29: Rescind Resolution 20, NEC, October 13-14, 2010, Support a Veteran Centric Website for Employment .................................................................. 142 No. 30: Support a National Employment Website for Veterans ............................ 143 Report: Internal Affairs Commission............................................................................. 146 Trophies, Awards & Ceremonials Committee ....................................................... 148 2010 Official Awards ............................................................................................ 151 2011 Unofficial Awards ........................................................................................ 158 Sons of the American Legion ................................................................................ 162 Resolutions: No. 31: Creation of a Committee to Formulate Plans for Observance of the 100th Anniversary of The American Legion ............................................ 169 No. 32: Amend Resolution 35: 'American Legion Riders as a National Program' National Executive Committee, October 17-18, 2007 .............................. 170 No. 33: Retirement of the POW/MIA Flag as Part of the POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony ......................................................................................... 171 No. 34: Rescind Resolution 14, NEC, May 5-6, 2010, 100th Anniversary Commemorative American Legion Coin ....................................................... 171 iv Thursday, May 5, 2011 Invocation ...................................................................................................................... 175 Roll Call ........................................................................................................................ 175 Report: Public Relations Commission ........................................................................... 177 Resolution No. 16: Rescinding of Public Relations Non-Legislative Policy Resolutions ............................................................................................................ 183 Report: Legislative Commission ................................................................................... 185 Resolution No. 17: Rescinding of National Legislative Program Non-Legislative Policy Resolutions ................................................................................................