111th Congress, 2d Session – – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 111–93 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 91ST NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN LEGION COMMUNICATION FROM THE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION, THE AMERICAN LEGION TRANSMITTING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND INDEPENDENT AUDIT OF THE AMERICAN LEGION PROCEEDINGS OF THE 91ST ANNUAL NA- TIONAL CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN LEGION, HELD IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY FROM AUGUST 21–27, 2009, AND A RE- PORT ON THE ORGANIZATION’S ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR PRE- CEDING THE CONVENTION, PURSUANT TO 36 U.S.C. 49 MARCH 10, 2010.—Referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and ordered to be printed U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 55–346 WASHINGTON : 2010 6:59 Mar 25 2010 Jkt 055346 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4012 Sfmt 4012 E:\HR\OC\HD093P1 XXX HD093P1 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL THE AMERICAN LEGION, Washington, DC, March 5, 2010. Hon. NANCY PELOSI, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: In compliance with current public law we herewith transmit for printing as a House document a financial statement and independent audit of The American Legion, pro- ceedings of our 91st annual National Convention held in Louisville, Kentucky from August 21–27, 2009 and a report on our organiza- tion’s activities for the year preceding the convention. Sincerely, STEVE A. ROBERTSON, Director, National Legislative Commission. (II) Table of Contents Foreword ......................................................................................................................... vii National Convention and Officers of The American Legion, 1919-2009......................... ix Proceedings of the 91st National Convention Tuesday, August 25, 2009 Call to Order: National Commander Rehbein.................................................................... 1 Invocation .......................................................................................................................... 1 Pledge of Allegiance.......................................................................................................... 1 POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony .................................................................................. 2 Preamble to The American Legion Constitution ............................................................... 2 Michael Peterson, Entertainer............................................................................................ 2 Greetings: Katie Stam, Miss America 2009....................................................................... 4 Armed Forces Community Covenant Signing................................................................... 5 Address: Admiral Michael Mullen, USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff ..................... 10 Presentation: Spirit of Service Awards............................................................................ 14 Greetings: Desireé Stoy, National President, American Legion Auxiliary...................... 17 American Legion Youth Champions ............................................................................... 18 Boys Nation President ............................................................................................. 18 Junior Shooting Sports Champion ........................................................................... 19 Eagle Scout of the Year ........................................................................................... 20 Oratorical Contest National Winner ........................................................................ 21 2008 American Legion Baseball Player of the Year................................................ 22 Presentation: The American Legion Distinguished Service Medal ............................................... 23 Operation Comfort Warriors .................................................................................... 27 The Patriot Award ................................................................................................... 28 Address: ........................................................................................................................... 29 Hon. Chet Edwards, United States House of Representatives ................................. 29 Hon. Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs ......................... 34 Greetings: Hon. John Yarmuth, United States House of Representatives........................ 41 Address: Kristina Kaufmann Turner................................................................................ 43 Presentation: Terry Woodburn, Representing The American Legion Riders................... 46 Greetings: Hon. Jerry Abramson, Mayor of Louisville Metro, Kentucky................................. 52 Thomas E. Cisna, Sons of The American Legion Past National Commander ......... 54 Presentation: The History of The American Legion ........................................................ 55 Greetings: Teddy W. Austin, Department Commander of Kentucky........................................ 56 Silas Noel, President, The American Legion National Convention Corporation of Kentucky ......................................................................................................... 57 Gordon Marsh, Dominion President, ANAVETS.................................................... 57 Peter Climinson, National Chairman, The Royal British Legion ............................. 59 Col. (Ret) Lee, Byung Hee, Chairman, American Canadian Depts, Korean Veterans Association ........................................................................................... 60 Thomas Irvine, Dominion Chairman, The Royal Canadian Legion......................... 61 iii Hans Song, Overseas Liaison Director, Veterans Affairs Commission, Republic of China ............................................................................................................... 62 National Commander’s Report to Convention................................................................. 63 Certificate of Appreciation, Lawrence L. Vollink, National Chaplain ............................ 70 Presentation: Plaque to the City of Phoenix, Arizona...................................................... 71 Call for Convention ......................................................................................................... 71 Reports: Convention Committee on Credentials and Other Internal Matters (Section I) ....... 73 Convention Committee on Legislation and Rules.................................................... 74 Convention Committee on Finance ......................................................................... 76 Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Call to Order .................................................................................................................... 81 Invocation ........................................................................................................................ 81 Address: Hon. Bob Filner, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs ..................... 82 Hon. Tim Walz, United States House of Representatives........................................ 85 Karen Gordon Mills, Administrator, U. S. Small Business Administration............. 89 Judge Edward F. Butler, President-General, National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution........................................................................................... 93 MG-Craig B. Whelden, USA (Ret.), Secretary of the Army’s Representative for Community Covenant .......................................................................................... 94 Alan Sears, President and CEO, Alliance Defense Fund......................................... 98 Kelly J. Shackelford, Chief Counsel, Liberty Legal Institute ................................ 102 Ms. Laurie Ott, CSRA Wounded Warrior Care Project......................................... 103 Sloan Gibson, President, United Services Organization ........................................ 108 Dr. James Jay Carafano, Senior Research Fellow, Defense and Homeland Security, The Heritage Foundation .................................................................... 110 Report: Convention Committee on Credentials and Other Internal Affairs (Section III) ........................................................................................... 114 Presentation: Department Membership Awards.......................................................................... 115 National Emergency Fund Awards........................................................................ 116 National Recruiter of the Year............................................................................... 118 Report: Convention Committees on Employment and Veterans Preference and Other Economic Matters.............................................................................................. 120 Presentation: Employer of the Year Awards for Hiring Veterans ............................................... 131 American Legion Local Veterans Employee Representative of the Year Award .. 133 Disabled Veterans Outreach Program of the Year Award ..................................... 133 Outstanding Employer of Disabled Veterans Award............................................. 134 Employment Service Office of the Year................................................................ 134 Homeless Veterans Outreach Award ..................................................................... 134 Address: Hon. Janet Napolitano, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security........... 135 Presentation: Employer of Older