PROCEEDINGS of the National Executive Committee of THE AMERICAN LEGION National Headquarters Indianapolis, Indiana October 15-16, 2008 Table of Contents Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Invocation .......................................................................................................................... 1 Roll Call ............................................................................................................................ 2 Opening Remarks: National Commander David K. Rehbein, Iowa .................................. 4 Introduction of National Officers ...................................................................................... 7 Report: Subcommittee on Resolutions .............................................................................. 8 Memorial Resolutions........................................................................................... 8 Report: National Judge Advocate ...................................................................................... 9 Report: Finance Commission .......................................................................................... 29 Insurance Committee .......................................................................................... 33 Resolutions: ..................................................................................................................... 35 No. 1: Adoption of a 990 Compliance Policy to Comply With Internal Revenue Code Redesign of Form 990, Effective 12/31/08, Specifically Related to Governance, Management, and Disclosure ...................................................... 35 No. 2: Use of The American Legion Life Insurance Fund Account for Assistance in the Furtherance of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program—“A Constitutional Speech Contest”—2009 .................................... 36 No. 3: Use of The American Legion Life Insurance Fund Account For Assistance in the Furtherance of The American Legion Boys Nation Program—2009 ......... 37 No. 4: Use Of The American Legion Life Insurance Fund Account For Assistance In The Furtherance Of The American Legion Baseball Program—2009......... 38 No. 5: Use of The American Legion Life Insurance Fund Account for Scholarship Awards to The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year Program in 2009 .. 38 No. 6: Authority To Negotiate Agreement With Blackhorse Productions On Creation Of Documentary About The American Legion ................................. 40 No. 7: DMS Resolution Allowing National to Keep DMS Members for One Renewal Cycle ................................................................................................. 40 No. 8: NEED A LIFT? Agreement ......................................................................... 42 No. 9: The College Board License Agreement ....................................................... 43 No. 10: Agreement With The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP)—2009 .............................................................................................. 43 No. 11: Authorizing Withdrawal from Paid-Up-For Life Membership Trust for Administrative Expenses ................................................................................. 44 No. 12: Uniformed Groups Participation At The National Convention of The American Legion ............................................................................................. 45 No. 13: The American Legion Magazine Contract with James G. Elliott Co., Inc. .. 46 No. 14: Bequest to The American Legion (Estate of Aline K. Trisler) .................... 46 No. 15: Bequest to The American Legion (Estate of Ada M. Rovinsky)................. 47 No. 16: Bequest to The American Legion (Estate of William L. Privatt) ................ 47 No. 17: 2009 Enhancements to NHQ Computer Environment ................................ 48 Reports: ........................................................................................................................... 51 National Convention Corporation of Arizona .......................................................... 51 National Convention Commission ........................................................................... 53 The American Legion Magazine Commission ......................................................... 57 Economic Commission ............................................................................................ 58 iii Resolutions: No. 25: Support Revision of Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) Performance Standards........................................................................ 67 No. 26: Homeless Veterans Assistance ................................................................... 67 Wednesday Afternoon Session Report: Finance Commission Liaison Committee ........................................................... 69 990 Compliance Policy.................................................................................................... 70 Report: National Security Commission ........................................................................... 80 Resolutions: ..................................................................................................................... 85 No. 18: Restore Full Funding To The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program ................................................................................................. 85 No. 19: Combating Crime in America ..................................................................... 86 No. 20: Stolen Valor Act ......................................................................................... 87 Report: Americanism Commission.................................................................................. 89 Greetings: Mrs. Desireé Stoy National President, American Legion Auxiliary .............. 95 Report: Americanism Commission (cont'd) .................................................................... 96 Resolutions: No. 31: Establishing Date of American Legion Baseball World Series Championship Game ........................................................................................ 96 No. 32: Flag Code Amendment ............................................................................... 97 Report: Commission of Children & Youth .................................................................... 100 Report: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission ............................................... 106 Resolutions: ................................................................................................................... 111 No. 22: VA Grant WWII Veterans Same Hospital and Medical Entitlements As Previously Granted To WWI and Spanish American War Veterans .............. 111 No. 23: The American Legion Position On Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease ................. 111 No. 24: Medical Opinions Provided By The Department Of Veterans Affairs (VA) Primary Care Providers.................................................................................. 112 No. 30: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Provide Internal Access Phone Number for Veteran Service Organization (VSO) Accredited Representatives .............................................................................................. 113 Report: Internal Affairs Commission ............................................................................ 114 Resolutions: ................................................................................................................... 124 No. 27: Military Vehicle Preservation Association 2009 Transcontinental Motor Convoy .......................................................................................................... 124 No. 28: The American Legion Poppy Program ..................................................... 125 No. 29: Change to the Sons of The American Legion National Constitution ........ 126 Report: Public Relations Commission ........................................................................... 129 Report: Foreign Relations Commission ......................................................................... 133 Resolution: No. 21: Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) Funding and Support ............................................................................................. 135 Report: Membership and Post Activities Committee .................................................... 136 Report: National Historian ............................................................................................ 139 Benediction.................................................................................................................... 142 iv Thursday, October 16, 2008 Invocation ...................................................................................................................... 143 Roll Call ........................................................................................................................ 144 Report: Legislative Commission ................................................................................... 146 Report: National Vice Commanders .............................................................................. 170 James A. LaCoursiere, Connecticut ....................................................................... 170 Michael J. Landkamer, Nebraska .......................................................................... 171 Harley W. Ray, Oregon ........................................................................................