PROCEEDINGS of the National Executive Committee of THE AMERICAN LEGION National Headquarters Indianapolis, Indiana May 10-11, 2017 Printed in U.S.A. www.legion.org Stock No. 11-557 DISTRIBUTION 1 ea. to: N.E.C. Past National Commanders National Officers Commission Chairmen Departments PROCEEDINGS of the National Executive Committee of THE AMERICAN LEGION National Headquarters Indianapolis, Indiana May 10 – 11, 2017 Table of Contents Wednesday, May 10, 2017 Invocation .......................................................................................................................... 1 POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony ................................................................................ 1 Roll Call ............................................................................................................................ 2 Resolution No. 1 (Mail): Amendment to National Executive Committee Resolution No. 14, Adopted October 12 – 13, 2016 .................................................................... 4 Presentation: Bobby D. Bryant, NEC, Oklahoma .............................................................. 5 Opening Remarks: Charles E. Schmidt, Oregon, National Commander ............................ 6 Greetings: Mary E. Davis, National President, American Legion Auxiliary ................... 11 Report: Subcommittee on Resolutions............................................................................. 13 Memorial Resolutions...................................................................................................... 13 Reports: Convention Commission ......................................................................................... 15 Final Report of the 2016 National Convention ........................................................ 18 Marketing Commission ........................................................................................... 19 Emblem Committee ................................................................................................. 24 Finance Commission ............................................................................................... 25 Resolutions: No. 1: Make Contact Information for Newly Acquired DMS Members Available Immediately ............................................................................................... 28 No. 2: American Legion Centennial Tournament of Roses Parade Float .............. 29 No. 3: 100th Anniversary Commemorative American Legion Coin ....................... 30 No. 4: Support of the United States World War One Centennial Commission ...... 32 No. 5: Commission Painting to Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of The American Legion ....................................................................................... 33 No. 6: Rescinding of National Finance Non-Legislative Policy Resolutions......... 34 No. 7: Department of Veterans Affairs Health-Care Provider of the Year Award . 38 No. 8: Department of Veterans Affairs Physician of the Year Award ................... 39 Report: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission ................................................. 41 Resolutions: No. 22: Public/Private Partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs to Expand Reach with Local Hospitals .......................................................... 54 No. 23: Department of Veterans Affairs Provide Mental Health Services Other than Honorable and General Discharges .................................................... 55 No. 24: Caregiver Program ..................................................................................... 56 No. 25: Department of Veterans Affairs Maintained Medical and Dental School .. 57 No. 26: Compliance with Public Law 114-31 Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015 ....................................................................................................... 59 No. 27: Amend Title 38, United States Code, to Clarify the Treatment of a Veteran as Adjudicated Mentally Incompetent for Certain Purposes ......... 59 No. 28: Suicide Prevention Program ...................................................................... 60 No. 29: Department of Veterans Affairs Establish an Opioid Treatment Program to Include an Opioid Detox Unit at Every VA Medical Center ................. 62 Report: Membership & Post Activities Committee ......................................................... 63 iii Wednesday Afternoon Session Reports: Media & Communications Commission .................................................................. 69 TBI/PTSD Committee ............................................................................................. 70 Internal Affairs Commission ................................................................................... 72 Resolutions: No. 9: Cadet Awards Program of the United States Military Academy ................ 98 No. 10: American Legion Centennial Postage Stamp ............................................. 99 No. 11: Amendment to the Uniform Code of Procedure for the Organization of National Conventions of The American Legion ...................................... 100 No. 12: Authorize Issuance of Temporary Charter to a Foreign Post ................... 100 No. 13: Authorize Issuance of Temporary Charter to a Foreign Post ................... 101 No. 14: Rescinding of Internal Affairs Resolutions .............................................. 101 No. 15: Support of Gold Star Mothers National Monument ................................. 103 No. 16: National Global War on Terrorism Memorial .......................................... 104 No. 17: National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial ................................ 105 No. 18: Consultants and Advisors to Committees and Commissions ................... 106 Reports: Ad Hoc Committee to Study Departments and Posts Located Outside of the Continental United States .............................................................................. 107 100th Anniversary Observance Committee ........................................................... 108 Americanism Commission ..................................................................................... 114 Announcements: National Adjutant Wheeler ................................................................ 127 Thursday, May 11, 2017 Invocation ...................................................................................................................... 129 Roll Call ........................................................................................................................ 129 Reports of the National Vice Commanders: Paul Martel, Florida ............................................................................................... 131 Fae Casper, Georgia............................................................................................... 132 Douglas L. Boldt, Nebraska ................................................................................... 133 Paul L. Espinoza, New Mexico.............................................................................. 133 Vincent James Troiola, New York......................................................................... 134 Report: Veterans Employment & Education Commission............................................. 135 Resolutions: No. 19: Support the Creation of a Department of Veterans Affairs Small Business Advisory Committee ................................................................. 150 No. 20: GI Bill Fairness for Wounded Servicemembers and Activated National Guard and Reservists ............................................................................... 151 No. 21: Support State and National Funding for Troops to Teachers Program ..... 151 Reports: National Historian .................................................................................................. 152 Legislative Commission ........................................................................................ 153 National Security Commission .............................................................................. 175 Confirmation of Interim Appointments ......................................................................... 182 Confirmation of Cancellation of Post and/or Squadron Charters ................................... 185 Confirmation of Dates for Future Meetings ................................................................... 190 Final Report: Subcommittee on Resolutions ................................................................. 191 Closing Remarks: Charles E. Schmidt, Oregon, National Commander ......................... 192 Benediction .................................................................................................................... 193 iv Abbreviations ................................................................................................................. 195 Index .............................................................................................................................. 199 v PROCEEDINGS of the NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Wednesday, May 10, 2017 ...At 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 10, 2017, the National Executive Committee was called to order by National Commander Charles E. Schmidt. NATIONAL COMMANDER SCHMIDT: The colors of our country in place. Hand salute by the numbers: One, two. I now call on National Chaplain Harvey Klee, from the Department of Texas, for our invocation. Invocation Harvey H. Klee, Texas, National Chaplain Dearly beloved, merciful and loving God in whose precious name we