P R O C E E D I N G S OF THE 98TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES [SUMMARY OF MINUTES] Salt Lake City, Utah : : : August 16-21, 1997 U.S. CODE, TITLE 44, SECTION 1332 NATIONAL ENCAMPMENTS OF VETERANS’ ORGANIZATIONS; PROCEEDINGS PRINTED ANNUALLY FOR CONGRESS The proceedings of the national encampments of the United Spanish War Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the American Legion, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Veterans of World War I of the United States, Incorporated, the Disabled American Veterans, and the AMVETS (American Veterans of World War II), respec- tively, shall be printed annually, with accompanying illustrations, as sepa- rate House documents of the session of the Congress to which they may be submitted. [Approved October 2, 1968.] II LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI December, 1997 Honorable Newt Gingrich, The Speaker U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 DEAR MR. SPEAKER: In conformance with the provisions of Public Law No. 620, 90th Congress, approved October 22, 1968, I am transmitting to you herewith the proceedings of the 98th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, held in Salt Lake City, Utah, August 17-21, 1997, which is sub- mitted for printing as a House document. Sincerely, LARRY W. RIVERS Adjutant General III TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 1997 Call to Order . .1 Pledge of Allegiance . .1 Invocation . .2 Memorial Ritual . .2 JOINT OPENING SESSION MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 1997 Call to Order . .4 Advancement of Colors . .4 Invocation . .4 Video Presentation . .4 Introduction - The Honorable DeedeeCorradini . .4 Greetings - The Honorable Deedee Corradini, Mayor, City of Salt Lake City . .5 Introduction - The Honorable Michael O. Leavitt, Governor, State of Utah . .6 Greetings - The Honorable Michael O. Leavitt, Governor, State of Utah . .6 Presentation of American Flag Sets . .8 Introduction of Commander-in-Chief Nier . .8 Remarks - Commander-in-Chief Nier . .9 Presentation of Awards to 1996-’97 All Americans . .10 ESPN Video Presentation . .15 Presentation of VFW Gold Medal of Merit and Citation to Ladies Auxiliary President Eileen Tanner . .15 Response - Ladies Auxiliary President Eileen Tanner . .16 Presentations of VOD Winner Christine Rice and Youth Essay Contest Winner, Dominic E. Draye . .16 Presentation of the Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion . .21 Presentation of VFW Armed Forces Award, Gold Medal and Citation . .22 Remarks - Colonel James Colvin . .23 Introduction of Charles D. Short, Supreme Commander, Military Order of the Cootie . .25 Remarks - MOC Commander Charles Short. .25 Introduction of Lieutenant General Chung-Yuan Kao, VAC . .27 Response - Lieutenant General Chung-Yuan Kao . .27 IV Introduction of Helen Blackwel . .30 Remarks - Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Moon . .31 Introduction - The Honorable Togo D. West, Jr., Secretary of the Army . .32 Keynote Address - The Honorable Togo D. West, Jr. .33 Remarks - Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Pouliot . .39 Closing Prayer . .40 Salute to Color . .40 RECESS . .40 FIRST BUSINESS SESSION MONDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 18, 1997 Call to Order . .41 Invocation . .41 Salute to the Colors and Pledge of Allegiance. .41 Report of Credentials Committee . .41 Report of Committee on Convention Rules . .42 Report of Credentials Committee (Cont’d.) . .44 Report of the Committee on National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual . .45 RECESS . .69 Winners of Insurance Drawing . .72 Benediction . .73 Salute to Colors . .73 RECESS . .73 DISTINGUISHED GUESTS BANQUET AUGUST 18, 1997 Call to Order . .74 Pledge of Allegiance . .74 Invocation . .74 Remarks by Commander-in-Chief Nier . .75 Presentation of the Dwight David Eisenhower Distinguished Service Medal and Citation to General John Shalikashvili . .76 Response and Principal Address - General John Shalikashvili . .78 Benediction . .83 RECESS . .83 SECOND BUSINESS SESSION WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 21, 1996 Call to Order . .84 Opening Prayer . .84 V Salute to the Colors . .84 Report of Credentials Committee . .84 Introduction of General John P. Herrling, Secretary, American Battle Monuments Commission . .84 Remarks by Major General John Herrling . .85 Presentation of Special Award to Commander-in-Chief Nier by the VFW Political Action Committee . .88 Presentation of “Consecutive Years of Membership” Citation to the Department of Arizona. .88 Presentation of VFW Americanism Award, Gold Medal and Citation to Mr. James K. Kallstrom . .89 Response - James K. Kallstrom . .90 Introduction of the Honorable Hershel Gober Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs . .92 Address - The Honorable Hershel Gober . .92 Presentation of J. Edgar Hoover Award, Gold Medal and Citation . .101 Remarks - Mr. Russell Philibert . .102 Presentation of VFW Emergency Services Award, Gold Medal and Citation . .102 Response - Sergeant John L. Taylor . .103 Presentation of Commander-in-Chief’s Special Award to Mr. Wilson Smith, African-American Medal of Honor Memorial . .104 Remarks by Comrade Wilson Smith, Jr. .104 Introduction of Lieutenant General Claude M. Kicklighter, Deputy Undersecretary of the Army for International Affairs . .105 Remarks - Lieutenant General Claude M. Kicklighter . .105 Introduction of Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, President, Women in MilitaryService for America Memorial Foundation, Inc. .111 Remarks - Brigadier General Wilma Vaught. .111 Introduction of Jan C. Scruggs, President, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund . .113 Remarks - Janc C. Scruggs - Vietnam Memorial . .113 Report of Committee on National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual (Cont’d.) . .115 Winners of Insurance Drawing . .121 Benediction . .122 Salute to the Colors . .122 RECESS . .122 THIRD BUSINESS SESSION THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 22, 1996 Call to Order . .123 VI Salute to the Colors . .123 Pledge of Allegiance . .123 Opening Prayer . .123 Report of Credentials Committee . .123 Report of Committee on National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual (Cont’d.) . .123 Report of Committee on Finance and Internal Organization . .137 Report of Committee on General Resolutions . .138 Presentation of Certificate of Congratulations 50th Anniversary of the United States Air Force ..