PROCEEDINGS of the National Executive Committee of THE AMERICAN LEGION National Headquarters Indianapolis, Indiana October 17-18, 2012 Table of Contents Wednesday, October 17, 2012 Invocation.......................................................................................................................... 1 POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony................................................................................ 1 Pledge of Allegiance.......................................................................................................... 2 Roll Call ............................................................................................................................ 2 Opening Remarks: National Commander James E. Koutz, Indiana .................................. 4 Introduction of National Officers ...................................................................................... 5 Presentation: Theodore Roosevelt, IV ............................................................................... 6 Resolution No. 1: Theodore Roosevelt, IV be Appointed Chairman of The American Legion 100th Anniversary Observance Honorary Committee.................................... 7 Report: Subcommittee on Resolutions............................................................................... 8 Memorial Resolutions........................................................................................................ 9 Eulogies: Past National Commander Michael J. Kogutek ......................................................... 9 Earnest N. Schmit.................................................................................................... 11 Juan Cintron............................................................................................................. 12 Reports: National Judge Advocate......................................................................................... 15 Finance Commission ............................................................................................... 29 Resolutions: No. 2: Rescinding Resolutions that Conflict with the Charter of The American Legion.............................................................................................................. 33 No. 3: Rescission of Outdated Resolutions.............................................................. 36 No. 4: Authorization to Purchase Paper from Bulkley Dunton Publishing Group... 36 No. 5: 2013 Enhancements to National Headquarters Computing Environment.... 37 No. 6: Sons of The American Legion Restricted Account....................................... 38 No. 7: Agreement with the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) – 2012-2013........................................................................................................ 38 No. 8: Authorizing Withdrawal from Paid-Up-For-Life Membership Trust for Administrative Expenses ................................................................................. 39 No. 9: Authorization for Conducting History Contests............................................ 40 No. 10: Sales and Royalty Payments made to Departments on Emblem Sales Merchandise Sold within a Department........................................................... 40 No. 11: Commission Paid to Departments for Discount Prescription Drug Program ........................................................................................................... 42 No. 12: Consolidate Heroes to Hometowns Program into Operation Comfort Warriors........................................................................................................... 42 No. 13: National Forensic League (NFL) Sponsorship............................................ 43 No. 14: Replacement and Extension of Agreement of Permanent Site of The American Legion Baseball World Series......................................................... 45 No. 15: Mandatory Exclusive Insurance Coverage for American Legion Baseball Teams .............................................................................................................. 46 No. 16: Mandatory Background Check Screening for Coaches, Managers and Volunteer Staff of Junior and Senior American Legion Baseball Teams......... 48 Report: National Convention Commission...................................................................... 54 Resolutions: No. 17: Registration Procedures at the National Convention of The American Legion.............................................................................................................. 56 iii No. 18: Amending Current Articles of Agreement .................................................. 57 Report: Economic Commission....................................................................................... 58 Resolutions: No. 20: Support ‘Buy American’ Policy at the Department of Veterans Affairs to Create Jobs and Opportunities for Veterans..................................................... 66 No. 21: Support Veterans Housing Repair and Modification Pilot.......................... 66 No. 22: Support Federal Legislation that Protects the Employment of Veterans in U.S. Postal Service Mail Processing Facilities that are Slated for Closure...... 67 No. 23: Improve Transition Assistance Program..................................................... 68 No. 24: Federal and State Incentives for Employers to use Veterans’ Preference ... 69 No. 25: Rescinding of National Economic Commission Non-Legislative Resolutions ...................................................................................................... 69 Report: Internal Affairs Commission............................................................................... 76 Resolutions: No. 48: Diversity and a Veteran is a Veteran (21st Century).................................... 90 No. 49: Disenfranchising (21st Century).................................................................. 91 No. 50: Training and Education (21st Century)........................................................ 93 No. 51: Veteran Outreach Program (21st Century) .................................................. 95 No. 52: The American Legion Post Operations (21st Century) ................................ 96 No. 53: Cooperation with The American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion (21st Century) ...................................................................... 98 No. 54: Rescinding of Internal Affairs Resolutions................................................. 99 Report: Membership and Post Activities Committee..................................................... 109 Wednesday Afternoon Session Announcements ............................................................................................................. 115 Resolution No. 64: 5-Year Membership Plan................................................................ 115 Report: National Security Commission ......................................................................... 121 Resolutions: No. 26: Piracy Against American Flagged Vessels ............................................... 124 No. 27: Military Honors Detail Stipend................................................................. 125 No. 28: National Guard Patriot Academy.............................................................. 125 No. 29: Clark Veterans Cemetery.......................................................................... 126 No. 30: Standardize Care for Recovering Warriors ............................................... 127 No. 31: Military Service Authorized Strength ....................................................... 128 No. 32: Enhancements to Integrated Disability Evaluation System Process.......... 129 No. 33: Develop Joint Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Capability ............................................................................... 130 No. 55: Protecting the Defense Budget.................................................................. 130 Report: National Children & Youth Commission.......................................................... 132 Resolutions: No. 61: Establish Children & Youth Post and Department Certificate Awards..... 136 No. 62: Violence & Vandalism in the Schools and Communities ......................... 137 No. 63: Rescinding of National Commission on Children & Youth Non- Legislative Policy Resolutions....................................................................... 138 Report: Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission............................................. 139 Resolutions: No. 34: Department VA Voluntary Service Coordinators ..................................... 148 No. 35: Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes....................................................... 149 iv No. 36: Encourage all Posts of The American Legion to Appoint or Elect a Post Service Officer and Maintain an Active Service Program ............................. 150 No. 37: Department of Veterans Affairs Child Care Programs.............................. 151 No. 38: Legislation to Provide Reporting, Tracking, and Action Dealing with Sexual Assults at Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities ......................... 152 No. 39: Women Veterans Strategic Plan ............................................................... 153 No. 40: Extended Hours & Weekends for Veterans’ Health Care ......................... 153 No. 41: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation............................................... 154 No. 42: Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record..........................................................