PROCEEDINGS of the 89th Annual National Convention of THE AMERICAN LEGION Reno-Sparks Convention Center Reno, Nevada August 28-30, 2007 Table of Contents Tuesday, August 28, 2007 Call to Order: National Commander Paul A. Morin .......................................................... 1 Invocation .......................................................................................................................... 2 Pledge of Allegiance ......................................................................................................... 2 POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony .................................................................................. 2 Preamble to The American Legion Constitution ............................................................... 2 Voices—A Tribute to the American Veteran .................................................................... 3 The American Legion Youth Champions .......................................................................... 4 Presentation: Spirit of Service Awards .............................................................................. 8 Michael Peterson, Entertainer .......................................................................................... 13 Address: George W. Bush, President of the United States .............................................. 13 Michael Peterson, Entertainer .......................................................................................... 22 Address: General Charles C. Campbell, Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces Command ................................................................................................................ 23 Greetings: JoAnn Cronin, Missouri, National President, American Legion Auxiliary .... 29 Presentation: Terry Woodburn, Illinois Department Adjutant, Representing The American Legion Riders .......................................................................................... 30 Address: The Hon. John Ensign, United States Senator .................................................. 34 Address: The Hon. Jim Gibbons, Governor of the State of Nevada ................................ 36 Greetings: The Hon. Robert Cashell, Mayor of Reno, Nevada ........................................ 38 Greetings: Tony Vaughn, Commander, Department of Nevada ...................................... 38 Greetings: Dale ‘Tiny’ Salmen, President, The American Legion National Convention Corporation of Nevada ............................................................................................ 39 Address: Raymond P. Giehll, Jr., Indiana, Newly Elected National Commander, Sons of The American Legion ................................................................................. 39 Post Everlasting Ceremony ............................................................................................. 40 Eulogy: Past National Commander John M. ‘Jack’ Carey .............................................. 40 National Commander’s Report to Convention ................................................................ 41 Address: Lt. General Jack C. Stultz, Chief of the United States Army Reserve .............. 44 Address: Brigadier General Michael C. Flowers, United States Army Commander Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command ............................................. 48 Call for Convention ......................................................................................................... 51 Presentation: The American Legion Distinguished Service Medal Award ...................... 53 Greetings: Mr. Lin, Wen-shan, Deputy Minister, Veterans Affairs Commission of the Republic of China .................................................................................................... 54 Greetings: Admiral Kim, Hong-Yeol (Ret.), Vice Chairman, Korean Veterans Association .................................................................................. 55 Greetings: Mrs. Patricia Varga, Dominion Vice President, The Royal Canadian Legion .................................................................................... 56 Greetings: Janusz Krupski, Minister of Veterans Affairs, The Republic of Poland......... 57 Certificate of Appreciation .............................................................................................. 58 Presentation: Plaque of Appreciation to Salt Lake City................................................... 59 Report: Convention Committee on Credentials and Other Internal Affairs (Section I) ... 60 Report: Convention Committee on Legislation and Rules .............................................. 61 Report: Convention Committee on Finance .................................................................... 63 Announcements: National Adjutant Spanogle ................................................................. 64 iii Wednesday, August 29, 2007 Call to Order .................................................................................................................... 65 Invocation ........................................................................................................................ 65 Address: General David H. Petraeus ............................................................................... 66 Address: The Hon. R. James Nicholson, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs ..... 71 Address: The Hon. Bob Filner, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs ........ 75 Address: The Hon. Harry Walters, President Veterans Coalition, Inc. ............................ 78 Address: Bruce A. Wilcox, President General of the National Society of The Sons of The American Revolution ................................................................... 84 Special Presentation: The Prestigious Patriot Award ...................................................... 85 Report: Convention Committee on Credentials and Other Internal Affairs (Section III) ............................................................................................................. 88 Presentation: Department Membership Awards .............................................................. 89 Presentation: National Emergency Fund Awards ............................................................ 91 Presentation: National Recruiter of the Year ................................................................... 92 Report: Convention Committees on Employment and Veterans Preference and Other Economic Matters .................................................................................................... 93 Presentation: Employer of the Year Awards for Hiring Veterans.................................. 100 Presentation: American Legion Local Veterans Employee Representative of the Year Award ........................................................................................................... 101 Presentation: Disabled Veterans Outreach Program of the Year Award ....................... 101 Presentation: Employment Service Office of the Year .................................................. 102 Presentation: Homeless Veterans Outreach Award ....................................................... 102 Presentation: The Older Workers Award ....................................................................... 103 Report: Convention Committee on Americanism .......................................................... 103 Presentation: The Frank N. Belgrano, Jr. Trophy .......................................................... 105 Presentation: William Randolph Hearst Americanism Trophy ...................................... 105 Presentation: 2007 National Law Enforcement Of The Year .......... Error! Bookmark not defined. Auction: Legion Rider Vest ........................................................................................... 107 Report: Convention Committee on Children and Youth................................................ 108 Presentation: Garland Murphy Award ........................................................................... 110 Special Presentation: The U.S. ‘Udie’ Grant Legacy Award ......................................... 110 Report: Convention Committee on Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation ....................... 111 Presentation: William F. Lenker National Service Trophy ............................................ 117 Report: Convention Committee on Credentials and Other Internal Matters (Section II) ............................................................................................................. 119 American Legion Racing ............................................................................................... 122 Report: Convention Committee on Constitutional Amendments .................................. 124 Thursday, August 30, 2007 Call to Order .................................................................................................................. 126 Invocation ...................................................................................................................... 126 Presentation: The American Legion Fourth Estate Award ............................................ 126 Presentation of Statement of Support Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve ..... 128 Report: Convention Committee on Foreign Relations ................................................... 131 Report: Convention Committee on National Security ................................................... 135 Special Order of Business: Election of National Officers ............................................. 157 Election of the National