PROCEEDINGS of the National Executive Committee of THE AMERICAN LEGION National Headquarters Indianapolis, Indiana October 17-18, 2007 Table of Contents Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Invocation .......................................................................................................................... 1 Roll Call ............................................................................................................................ 2 Opening Remarks: Martin F. Conatser, Illinois ................................................................. 4 Introduction of National Officers ...................................................................................... 7 Report: Subcommittee on Resolutions .............................................................................. 7 Memorial Resolutions ............................................................................................... 8 Eulogy: Donald J. Smith.................................................................................................... 9 Report: National Judge Advocate .................................................................................... 10 Report: Finance Commission .......................................................................................... 31 Insurance Committee ............................................................................................... 36 Resolutions No. 7: Restatement of American Legion Retirement Plan for Employees of the National Headquarters and Subordinate Groups Thereof ................................ 37 No. 8: Contract for Printing of The American Legion Magazine ............................ 38 No. 9: Liebert Environmental System .................................................................... 39 No. 10: Authorizing Withdrawal from Paid-Up-For Life Membership Trust for Administrative Expenses ................................................................................. 40 No. 11: Herman G. Harrington Memorial Room ..................................................... 41 No. 12: Uniformed Groups Participation At The National Convention of The American Legion ............................................................................................. 42 No. 13: Use Of The American Legion Life Insurance Fund Account For Scholarship Awards To The American Legion Eagle Scout Of The Year Program In 2008 .............................................................................................. 42 No. 14: Use Of The American Legion Life Insurance Fund Account In The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program - "A Constitutional Speech Contest" in 2008 .......................................................... 44 No. 15: Review of Administration and Promotion of The American Legion Insurance Program ........................................................................................... 45 No. 16: Use Of The American Legion Life Insurance Fund Account For Assistance In The Furtherance Of The American Legion Boys Nation Program—2008 ............................................................................................... 46 No. 17: Use Of The American Legion Life Insurance Fund Account For Assistance In The Furtherance Of The American Legion Baseball Program—2008 ............................................................................................... 47 No. 18: 2008 Upgrade of Computer Systems .......................................................... 47 No. 19: 2008 Conversion of Emblem Sales Computer Systems .............................. 48 No. 20: 2008 Enhancements to NHQ Computer Environment ................................ 49 No. 21: Contribution From Major League Baseball ................................................ 50 No. 22: Tournament Of Stars Expenses ................................................................... 51 No. 23: Accept Bids For 2010 American Legion Baseball World Series ................ 51 No. 24: Donation To American Legion Baseball .................................................... 52 No. 25: Charitable Gift Annuity .............................................................................. 53 No. 26: Agreement With The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP)—2007 .............................................................................................. 54 No. 35: American Legion Riders as a National Program ......................................... 55 American Legion Defined Benefit Pension Plan ............................................................. 57 iii Resolution No. 27: American Legion Retirement Plan for Employees of the National Headquarters and Subordinate Groups Thereof—Freeze, Split, or Amend ............. 58 Report: National Convention Corporation of Nevada ..................................................... 61 Report: National Convention Commission ...................................................................... 61 Report: The American Legion Magazine Commission .................................................... 65 Report: Economic Commission ....................................................................................... 66 Resolution No. 31: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Status ........................... 73 Resolution No. 32: Elimination of The Department of Veterans Affairs Home Loan Funding Fee ............................................................................................................. 74 Wednesday Afternoon Session Greetings: Jan Pulvermacher-Ryan, National President of American Legion Auxiliary . 77 Report: National Security Commission ........................................................................... 78 Report: Commission on Children & Youth ..................................................................... 81 Resolution No. 33: Support For Special Olympics .......................................................... 86 Report: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission ................................................. 87 Resolutions No. 28: Rounding Up Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits for 50 Cents or Higher ..................................................................................... 91 No. 29: Improvements to Implement a Seamless Transition ................................... 91 No. 30: The American Legion Policy on Traumatic Blast Injuries .......................... 93 Report: Internal Affairs Commission .............................................................................. 94 Resolution No. 6: Support For Renovating USS Arizona Memorial Museum and Center, Honolulu, Hawaii ............................................................................... 103 Report: Public Relations Commission ........................................................................... 104 Report: Foreign Relations Commission ......................................................................... 108 Report: Membership and Post Activities Committee .................................................... 109 Thursday, October 18, 2007 Invocation ...................................................................................................................... 113 Roll Call ........................................................................................................................ 114 Report: Americanism Commission................................................................................ 116 Resolutions No. 1: Expression Of Concern In The Decline Of Boys State Participation ......... 120 No. 2: Oppose Proposed Flag Code Change—Conduct During Hoisting, Lowering Or Passing Of The Flag ................................................................. 121 No. 3: NEED A LIFT? Agreement........................................................................ 123 No. 4: Support For Voter Registration and Voting Program ................................ 123 No. 5: The College Board License Agreement ..................................................... 124 Report: Legislative Commission ................................................................................... 125 Report: National Historian ............................................................................................ 141 Report: National Vice Commanders .............................................................................. 143 Peggy G. Dettori, Alaska ....................................................................................... 143 Thomas L. Burns, Delaware .................................................................................. 144 Randall A. Fisher, Kentucky ................................................................................. 144 Donald J. Hayden, Minnesota ................................................................................ 145 David A. Korth, Wisconsin ................................................................................... 146 Eligibility of National Officers ...................................................................................... 146 Confirmation of Interim Appointments ......................................................................... 147 iv Confirmation of Cancellation of Post and/or Squadron Charters .................................. 147 Confirmation of Dates for Future Meetings................................................................... 149 Significant Gifts to the National Headquarters Library ................................................. 150 Significant Gifts to the National Headquarters Museum ..............................................