PROCEEDINGS of the National Executive Committee of THE AMERICAN LEGION National Headquarters Indianapolis, Indiana October 13-14, 2010 Table of Contents Wednesday, October 13, 2010 Invocation .......................................................................................................................... 1 Roll Call ............................................................................................................................ 2 Opening Remarks: National Commander Jimmie L. Foster, Alaska ................................. 5 Introduction of National Officers ...................................................................................... 8 Report: Subcommittee on Resolutions............................................................................... 9 Memorial Resolutions ................................................................................................ 9 Report: National Judge Advocate .................................................................................... 11 Report: Finance Commission .......................................................................................... 32 Insurance Committee ............................................................................................... 35 Resolutions: No. 1: Travel Policy For Call-Ins ............................................................................ 36 No. 2: Enhancements to NHQ Computing Environment ......................................... 37 No. 3: Need A Lift? Agreement ............................................................................... 38 No. 4: The College Board License Agreement ........................................................ 38 No. 5: National Forensic League Sponsorship ......................................................... 39 No. 6: The American Legion Conducts A Needs And Issues Survey of Women Veterans ............................................................................................. 40 No. 7: Agreement With The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) - 2010-2011 ..................................................................................... 41 No. 8: Bequest (Estate of William E. Smith) to The American Legion ................... 42 No. 9: Authorizing Withdrawal From Paid-Up-For-Life Membership Trust For Administrative Expenses ........................................................................... 42 Reports: National Convention Corporation of Wisconsin ...................................................... 43 National Convention Commission ........................................................................... 45 The American Legion Magazine Commission ......................................................... 47 Economic Commission ............................................................................................ 49 Resolutions: No. 17: Support Funding for Additional Housing for Homeless Veterans with Families ........................................................................................................... 58 No. 18: Reauthorize and Fund Veterans Affairs Small Business Loan Program ..... 59 No. 20: Support a Veteran-Centric Website for Employment ................................. 60 No. 21: Support and Strengthen the Service members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) .... 61 No. 22: Support Veterans Hiring Initiative in the Department Of Veterans Affairs ............................................................................................... 62 Announcements ............................................................................................................... 63 Wednesday Afternoon Session Greetings: Mrs. Carlene Ashworth, National President, American Legion Auxiliary ..... 65 Report: National Security Commission ........................................................................... 67 Resolutions: No. 23: Immigration Reform To Enhance National Security ................................... 71 No. 24: Establish Cold War Victory Medal [Rejected]............................................ 73 No. 25: Extend Selective Service Program to Women Ages 18-25 ......................... 74 No. 26: National Security Principles........................................................................ 75 iii No. 27: Establish A Strategic Plan For Internal Security Within The United States .................................................................................................... 76 Report: Commission on Children and Youth ................................................................... 77 Resolution No. 10: Rescind Resolution No. 10 SPINOZA's "Buddy Bear Project" ........ 82 Report: Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission ............................................... 83 Resolutions: No. 11: Rescind Resolution 26, NEC October 2009 - Service On Veterans of Valor's Board of Directors ........................................................................... 86 No. 12: Support Legislation to Increase the Income Threshold of a Veteran Married to Another Veteran to Two Times the Financial Means Test For Enrollment Into The VA Health Care System ........................ 87 No. 13: Creation of Ad Hoc Committee on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) .............. 87 Report: Internal Affairs Commission............................................................................... 89 Resolutions: No. 14: Affirmative Consent For Transfer [Tabled] ................................................ 97 No. 15: Redesignate The Liberty Memorial In Kansas City, Missouri And The District Of Columbia WWI Memorial As National WWI Memorials ............. 99 No. 16: Change To The Sons Of The American Legion National Constitution ................................................................................................... 101 Reports: Public Relations Commission ................................................................................ 104 Membership and Post Activities Committee .......................................................... 107 Foreign Relations Commission .............................................................................. 109 Announcements ............................................................................................................. 112 Thursday, October 14, 2010 Invocation ...................................................................................................................... 113 Greetings: Kevin Secor, Veterans Administration ......................................................... 114 Roll Call ........................................................................................................................ 115 Appointments to the Legion Riders Advisory Committee ............................................. 117 Report: Americanism Commission ................................................................................ 117 Resolutions: No. 28: American Legion Baseball Region One Tournament Site ........................ 121 No. 29: Flag Code Amendment ............................................................................. 122 Report: Legislative Commission ................................................................................... 124 Subcommittee on Resolutions: No. 30: The American Legion Commends The Republic of Chile ........................ 148 No. 31: The American Legion Position On Military Chaplains And Physicians ... 148 No. 14: Affirmative Consent For Transfer ............................................................. 150 Report: National Historian ............................................................................................. 152 Reports: National Vice Commanders: ........................................................................... 154 William F. Schrier, Washington ............................................................................ 154 Russell J. Henry, Louisiana ................................................................................... 154 John M. Mella, Michigan ....................................................................................... 156 Carlos Orria-Medina, Puerto Rico ......................................................................... 157 Eugene R. Pytka, Rhode Island.............................................................................. 158 Eligibility of National Officers ...................................................................................... 159 Confirmation of Interim Appointments ......................................................................... 160 Confirmation of Cancellation of Post and/or Squadron Charters ................................... 160 Confirmation of Dates for Future Meetings ................................................................... 162 iv Significant Gifts to the National Headquarters Library and Museum ............................ 163 Report: Subcommittee on Committees .......................................................................... 164 Final Report: Subcommittee on Resolutions ................................................................. 165 Closing Remarks: Jimmie L. Foster, National Commander, Alaska ............................. 166 Announcements ............................................................................................................. 169 Benediction .................................................................................................................... 169 Abbreviations ................................................................................................................