TDV News and Press Releases

This is from Fellow Veteran Joseph Luther:

RESOLUTION SUBMITTED TO THE KERR COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY
ADOPTED
Saturday 31 March 2008

Joseph Luther; 113 Spring Branch Drive; Kerrville, Texas 78028
830-377-1305; jluther@stx.rr.com


Given the clear and compelling need to enhance and sustain mental health services in the Veterans Administration, Now Therefore be it resolved that the Texas Democratic Party will seek a resolution encouraging the Department of Veterans Affairs to utilize VA Hospitals and other existing facilities to provide Intensive Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) Programs in a "therapeutic community" offering specialized treatment services to veterans with PTSD and which will include social, recreational, and vocational activities as well as counseling benefits that are provided at no cost to the veteran or family.

Be it further resolved that the Texas Democratic Party will seek a resolution to support the Department of Veterans Affairs to be funded as an entitlement as opposed to an annual appropriation, assuring a full, timely and predictable funding stream for veterans’ health care that is provided consistently on time year after year, with the capacity to avoid backlogs and to handle greater enrollments, enabling every veteran filing a disability claim to get a fair, accurate, and timely decision.



 

Noriega Calls On Cornyn To Support GI Bill Educational Benefit Increases

For Immediate Release: April 23, 2008                                              

Contact: Anthony Gray (713) 857-2069

 
Bill Has Bi-Partisan Support, 57 Co-sponsors: Cornyn Not One of Them
 

U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega launched an aggressive campaign Wednesday urging Sen. John Cornyn to support improved education benefits for those serving in the military.

Noriega is calling on the Texas junior senator to support legislation currently before Congress that would vastly improve education benefits for military personnel.  The bill currently has 57 Senate co-sponsors. Sen. Cornyn, who has voted consistently against increases in veterans' benefits, is not one of them, said Noriega.

"It's time our troops received some support from the lawmakers who are keeping them in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's time our senator was aware of their needs," said Noriega, a five-term member of the Texas House of Representatives.  "This war has been characterized by careless, runaway spending that is costing up to $15 billion a month. Little of it has been invested in the well being of those who have been doing the fighting."

"After World War II, the GI Bill created unprecedented prosperity in our nation. Those who have put their lives on the line for our nation should be offered the best education benefits possible. The folks on Capitol Hill haven't been shy about voting themselves pay raises or great benefits after they leave office," said Noriega who served with the National Guard in Afghanistan.

The Post-911 Veterans Educational Assistance Act by Virginia Senator Jim Webb and endorsed by Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel would make increased tuition benefits available to any active or reserve service member who served at least three months of active duty since Sept. 11, 2001. Maximum benefits would cover tuition costs up to an amount equal to tuition payments at a state's most expensive public university. Payments to full-time students would increase to about $1900 a month, increased from $1100 under the MGIB.

Sen. Webb also added language to encourage private colleges to accept more veterans. The government would pay half of any tuition costs beyond the new GI Bill ceiling if colleges agree to cover the other half.  Veterans could then attend nearly any college that accepted them on academic achievement.

Additionally, the bill would take effect on Aug. 1, 2009 to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs time to prepare. The VA also would receive $95 million more to hire more personnel and to implement new information technology for administering the new GI Bill.

Rep. Harry E. Mitchell (D-Ariz.) introduced a companion bill, HR 5740, on April 9. Before a week had passed, it had generated 196 co-sponsors.

 

 

23 Mar 07 - Death Toll reached 4,000

BAGHDAD - Four U.S. soldiers were killed by a bomb blast in southern Baghdad late Sunday, raising the death toll for American forces since start of the war to 4,000, according to the Pentagon.

This is very sad. Please pray for the families of the military members that gave their lives for our Country.  We look forward to electing a Democrat as President that will know that using the military instrument is the last resort.  

 

7 Mar 07 - Post Primary Election and Resolutions

We appreciate all the Texas Democratic Veterans supporting all their respective candidates in the Texas Primary.  There are still some runoffs in some parts of the State so please vote in these races.  It is important that we engage all our candidates and elected officials on what issues and possible resolutions we have to enhance the quality of life for our military, veterans and family members in Texas.  We did pass four Texas Democratic Veteran generated Resolutions at some of the Prct Caucuses throughout the State and have attached these for your review.  These should come up at some of the Senatorial Conventions on 29 Mar  for discussion and vote.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF VETERANS’ HEALTH CARE

WHEREAS John Rowan, National President of Vietnam Veterans of America

(VVA), in testimony before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

stated that the FY’07 VA budget is short by at least $4.2 billion, which

would open enrollment into the VA’s health care system to all eligible

veterans;

WHEREAS Mr. Rowan further testified that even if the VA continues its

exclusionary policy that has denied health care to hundreds of thousands

of veterans, the budget for health care is still short by some $2.3

billion;

WHEREAS Rowan noted that the continuing and increasing burden on the

health-care system is caused not only by the influx of veterans fighting

in Afghanistan and Iraq, but "because Vietnam veterans are getting

sicker at an earlier age with diseases and maladies that can be traced

back to our service in Southeast Asia";

WHEREAS even with recent funding increases, cost-cutting moves have

locked more than a quarter million veterans out of the system, those

excluded having no illnesses or injuries attributable to their military

service and earning more than the average wage in their community;

WHEREAS raw data from the Veterans’ Benefits Administration suggest more

than 11,000 of the 696,841 veterans who served in the Persian Gulf have

died from various injuries and illnesses, and more than 256,000 have

filed claims against the government for veterans compensation or medical

care;

WHEREAS nearly 120,000 veterans—more than one of every four who served

in Iraq and Afghanistan—have already sought treatment at Veterans’

Health Administration hospitals for a wide range of illnesses, according

to an internal study the Veterans’ Health Administration completed late

last year;

WHEREAS Senate Amendment 2735, which was intended to "…support the

health needs of our veterans and military personnel and reduce the

deficit by making tax rates fairer for all Americans," a measure which

proposed additional funding to shore up the failing infrastructures at

Veterans’ hospitals all over the country was cosponsored by eight other

Democrats, but was defeated by a vote of 53-44, with only one Republican

(Lincoln Chafee) voting for the funding;

WHEREAS Senate Amendment 2737 also sought a rollback in capital gains

tax cuts, but this time to purchase much-needed equipment for troops

serving in the Middle East and was also defeated by a vote of 53-44; and

WHEREAS neither United States Senators from the State of Texas voted on

these measures in support of our veterans or our troops,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas Democratic Party does hereby instruct the

Democratic Congressional Delegation to work with members of the

Congressional Delegations of other states to ensure full and adequate

funding for Veterans’ Benefits and for the immediate and complete

equipment for our troops, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, to

facilitate their safety and their safe withdrawal from their current

theater of operation even if this must be accomplished with an increase

or rollback of current taxes.

 

RESOLUTION ON HAZELWOOD ACT EXTENSION

WHEREAS the Texas Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military

Installations during the 78th Interim had as its main charge to study

the possibility of extending unused Hazelwood hours to the children and

grandchildren of a veteran and, in order to keep the program as simple

and limited as possible, this bill only allowed one child, and no

grandchildren, to use the benefit;

WHEREAS S.B.1227 (which included the Uresti Amendment allowing Texas

Veterans entitled to exemptions of tuition at state funded Universities

to assign these exemptions to their children) went into Texas House and

Senate Conference committee but did not pass out of Committee;

WHEREAS even though Texas is home for 1.7 million veterans, only about

8,000 to 9,000 veterans are currently using the Hazelwood exemption;

WHEREAS a legacy student, just like the veteran himself, would have been

required (1) to have exhausted any federal benefit available to him or

her before using Hazelwood, (2) to "make academic progress" as defined

by the individual school including a minimum GPA requirement, and (3) to

work for the school for a third of the number of legacy hours they used

and volunteer for a veteran organization for a third of the number of

legacy hours;

WHEREAS the original intent of the Hazelwood benefit being to reward

wartime veterans because the Texas Legislature has never declared the

Cold War over, peacetime vets since June 27, 1950 have been able to use

the Hazelwood Act;

WHEREAS S.B. 774 recognized the end of the Cold War, ended the Hazelwood

Legacy program after ten years, and also instituted an age limit of

under 28, unless some medical issue prevents the student from completing

the education before that age;

WHEREAS Senators Florence Shapiro (Plano), Robert Duncan (Lubbock), Kyle

Janek (Houston), Steve Ogden (Bryan) and Judith Zaffirini (Laredo) and

Representatives Geanie Morrison (Victoria) Dan Branch (Dallas), Linda

Harper Brown (Irving), Jesse Jones (Dallas), and Patrick Rose (Dripping

Springs) were members of the Joint Senate/House Committee which failed

to pass out the Uresti Amendment allowing Texas Veterans to pass their

Hazelwood Act benefits to their children;

WHEREAS in the 78th Legislature the Texas Legislature extended to

members of the Army of the Republic of South Vietnam Texas State

benefits creating a new class of veteran for the first time in Texas

history;

WHEREAS the original Veterans of the Republic of Texas created public

lands to be held in trust to create a free system of public education in

Texas recognizing that it is an axiom in political science that unless a

people are educated and enlightened, it is idle to expect the

continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self government,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas Democratic Party calls upon the

Legislature of Texas to once and for all pass a bill allowing Texas

Veterans entitled to exemptions of tuition at state funded Universities

to assign these exemptions to their children, and

FURTHERMORE BE IT RESOLVED that those State senators and Representatives

mentioned above who allowed this right to die in Committee on the eve of

Memorial Day who are still serving in the Legislature ensure its passage

upon the start of the next Legislative session of the State Legislature

of Texas.

 

RESOLUTION ON VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITALS

WHEREAS the Department of Veterans’ Affairs reported in 2005 that there

are about 24.4 million living U.S. veterans, over 18 million (74%) of

whom served during at least one wartime period, and that there are

1,667,000 veterans living in Texas;

WHEREAS the 2000 U.S. Census identified 19,394 veterans in the

Brownsville/Harlingen area, 38,186 in Corpus Christi, 6,825 in Laredo,

and 25,013 in the McAllen/Edinburgh area, comprising a total of 89,418

(5% of the veterans in Texas) currently not served by a Veterans

Administration Hospital;

WHEREAS in many cases these veterans must now travel hundreds of miles

to the V.A. hospital in San Antonio, in which city live an additional

178,198 veterans;

WHEREAS the Veterans Administration has also announced plans to contract

out short-term care to local providers and convert the Kerrville VA

facility into one focused on long-term care and move inpatient care to

San Antonio when renovation there is complete;

WHEREAS the Veterans Administration says that it currently serves 16,000

veterans in the Hill Country of Texas who will now be forced to seek

treatment in San Antonio;

WHEREAS the hospital in Kerrville was established in 1919 by the

Benevolent War Risk Society of Texas for the treatment of World War I

veterans on property deeded by the Schreiner family;

WHEREAS, in 1921 the American Legion donated the unfurnished buildings

and 748 acres of land to the State of Texas, and the Thirty-seventh

Legislature appropriated $1.5 million to complete and expand the

facility and the United States Veterans Bureau (now the Department of

Veterans’ Affairs) leased the institution from the state, opening the

nation’s ninety-third veterans hospital on July 12, 1923; and,

WHEREAS in January 1960 it was converted to a general medical facility

and continues to provide health care to over 18,000 United States armed

service veterans in its primary service area covering fourteen Texas

counties; and,

WHEREAS almost half of the veterans receiving care in Kerrville reside

outside the primary service area, while the Valley of South Texas has

never had a Veterans’ Administration Hospital,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas Democratic Party demand that the Veterans’

Administration construct a Veterans’ Administration Hospital in South

Texas and restore the Kerrville Veterans’ Administration Hospital to its

past status of general medical facility to care for veterans in the Hill

Country

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Texas Democratic Party binds all of

their candidates for the November election to work with the State of

Texas, the Texas Legislature, and the Texas Congressional Delegation in

the creation of a Veterans’ Medical Hospital in South Texas and the

restoration of the Kerrville facility.

 

NOTE: This is the first copy of the resolution:

RESOLUTION TO INVESTIGATE THE USS LIBERTY INCIDENT

WHEREAS, on June 8, 1967 while steaming in international waters off the coast of the Sinai Peninsula the USS Liberty (AGTR-5) was attacked without warning; and,

WHEREAS, the attack on the USS Liberty resulted in the death of 34 and wounding of 175 of the personnel attached to the USS Liberty; and,

WHEREAS, according to the Congressional Research Service the United States

government has never conducted an investigation of the attack on the USS Liberty; and,

WHEREAS, on June 8, 2005 the crew of the USS Liberty filed a "Report of War Crimes Committed Against the United States Military, June 8, 1967" with the Department of Defense; and,

WHEREAS, Department of Defense Directive 5100.77 requires the Department

of Defense to conduct a thorough investigation of the allegations contained in the report filed by the crew of the USS Liberty; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Department of Defense immediately initiate a complete and comprehensive public investigation to properly resolve the issues contained in the "Report of War Crimes Committed Against the United States Military, June 8, 1967" as filed by the crew of the USS Liberty.

NOTE: This is the same resolution but revised:

INVESTIGATE THE ISRAELI ATTACK ON THE USS LIBERTY

WHEREAS, on June 8, 1967, the USS Liberty, while operating in international waters in the

eastern Mediterranean, was the target of an attack by Israel war planes and torpedo boats; and

WHEREAS, this attack killed 34 members of the USS Liberty’s crew and wounded 171 other

United States personnel on board in addition to causing extensive damage to the ship; and

WHEREAS, a controversy continues to surround the attack on the USS Liberty in that some

Americans believe the attack was deliberate while others believe the attack was a mistake by

the Israeli military; and

WHEREAS, aircraft dispatched from U.S. aircraft carriers to aid the USS Liberty were recalled, and this action may have resulted in the death and injury of additional American service members; and

WHEREAS, the sailors and Marines and their families should have closure of this tragic attack and its aftermath; and

WHEREAS, the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty is the only such naval incident to have never been investigated by Congress; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that we, the delegates of the state convention of the Texas Democratic Party, urge our Democratic Congressional delegation to draft and support legislation compelling the Department of Defense to initiate a complete and comprehensive public investigation the attackon the USS Liberty that was perpetrated by the armed forces of the State of Israel on June 8,1967, in order to determine the truth behind the attack.

 

8 Dec 07  - State Convention Military/Vet Resolutions

Texas Democratic Veterans has formed a resolutions committee concerned with veterans issues.  Any member of the Texas Democratic Veterans may submit their resolutions to Les Rosenblatt at LMRNEV@JUNO.COM or mail copies to Les Rosenblatt at 99 E. Mistybreeze Circle, The Woodlands, TX 77381.  If you have any questions or comments call Les at 281-772-4770.  Other members of the committee include Ram Chavez and Kelly Timmons.
 
The deadline for the resolutions is 20 January 2008.   This will allow us time to review the resolutions and  consolidate them.  We are aiming to have  them distributed to members for submittion to the March 4, 2008 Pct Conventions.  It is not a requirement that you submit your resolution to us but we would like to distribute them to other members of TDV.

 

 

Dear Friends,                                                                                                                                                                                                                         31 Oct 07

 

I whole-heartedly support the nomination of Lieutenant General James Peake, US Army Retired, for VA Secretary.  I had the wonderful opportunity to meet him as he helped me on a couple of different projects over a two year period.  Mr brother-in-law, currently a US Army Colonel also worked with him a few years ago over about a two year period and has nothing but praises about General Peake.  I can attest he is a great person to work with and has an outstanding personality and positive way with people and definitely knows how to get things done. 

I ask that the Senate confirm him as soon as possible as the VA needs the quality leadership that General Peake will provide.  The VA will be a better place with him at the helm.  I am also confident he will work with both major political parties in a bi-partisan fashion.

Respectfully,

LAWRENCE G. ROMO, Lt Col USAFR (Retired)

Bexar County Veterans Committee Chairman
Texas Democratic Veterans Chairman/DNC Veterans and Military Families Council Member

____________________________________________________________________

TDV Chairman encourages you to support Proposition 9!!!

Subject:    Vote for Proposition 9 on November 6th

Reminder:  get out and vote for Proposition 9, the first step in obtaining 100% property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans.  Even if you are not now rated 100%,

you could later be rated 100%, but we might not get another chance to vote for this option.  

 Check your local newspapers for early voting locations which will open state-wide on Monday 29 October 2007.

It is critical for every veteran and every veteran's family vote for this proposition.  Thank you in advance for your participation.

  A special election will be held on Tuesday 6 November 2007 for proposed Texas Constitutional Amendments.  Among the Amendments being considered is Proposition 9 (SJR 29).

 Proposition 9 (SJR 29) would authorize the legislature to exempt all or part of the market value of the residence homesteads of veterans certified as having a service-connected 100 percent disability rating.  SJR 29 would also clarify the progression of property tax exemptions available to veterans who are less than 100 percent disabled.

 The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: 

 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt all or part of the residence homesteads of certain totally disabled veterans from ad valorem taxation and authorizing a change in the manner of determining the amount of the existing exemption from ad valorem taxation to which a disabled veteran is entitled."

 Passage of the proposed Constitutional Amendment would allow for 100% Disabled Veterans to be exempted from 100% of their property taxes.

NOTE:  passage of this proposed Constitutional Amendment completes HALF of the legislation required to make this a law.  The other half is referred to as enabling legislation or the mechanics of how the proposed bill will work.  The Enabling Legislation was the half that died on the Texas House Floor on 22 May 07 when it missed the midnight cutoff by a few minutes.  This enabling legislation will be worked on during the intervening months until the start of the 81st Texas Legislature in January 2009.

 As Veterans we have a unique opportunity to vote to approve a change to the Texas Constitution which makes 100% property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans an amendment approved by plebiscite vote.  Special elections are known for voter apathy.  Typically 10-12% of eligible voters participate in special elections.

 If we take full advantage of voter apathy and get every registered veteran and their families to vote for proposition 9, veterans as a solid voting block can cause this Amendment to pass.  In other words:  if veterans want to see this proposition become a Constitutional Amendment, then we as veterans must get out and vote. 

Time for grassroots actions on the part of every veteran and veteran organization.  Inform every veteran that you know about the proposed Constitutional Amendment, get every veteran and their family registered to vote, and vote for Proposition 9 on November 6th. 

Please  disseminate  this  information  as  widely  as  possible.

John A Miterko

Vietnam Veterans of America, Texas State Council

Government Affairs Chair and State Legislative Coordinator

Vice President, Legislative Affairs, Military Service Coalition

Legislative Coordinator, Texas Association of Vietnam Veterans

 

14 Oct 07 - TDV Chairman asks that we "Demand Action" and support this call by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, October 10, 2007
CONTACT: Michael Houston, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or michael@iava.org

Powerful New TV Ad From Veterans Group Blasts Congress and President Bush
"Demand Action" Highlights Late VA Budget and Lack of Progress Since Walter Reed  

NEW YORK -Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, launched a gripping new TV ad today.  "Demand Action" reminds Americans that seven months have passed since the Walter Reed scandal broke and serious problems in veterans' care remain.  Furthermore, while consumed with the latest Rush Limbaugh comment and MoveOn.org ad, Congress has failed to pass the Veterans Affairs (VA) budget.  "Demand Action," a national media buy which will run for a limited time, targets opinion leaders throughout the country.  IAVA raised money from its grassroots supporters online to fund the ad and will continue to solicit donations to keep it on the air. 

The ad can be viewed now at www.IAVAaction.org. An ad fact sheet is also available on the site.

"Demand Action" features Annette McLeod of Chesterfield, South Carolina, the courageous wife of an injured serviceman.  Mrs. McLeod's husband, Specialist Wendell McLeod, sustained a traumatic brain injury and numerous other painful and debilitating injuries in an accident while he was serving in Iraq in 2004.  "Demand Action" includes excerpts of Annette McLeod's Congressional testimony on the abhorrent care her husband received at Walter Reed.  "This is how we treat our soldiers," she testifies, later declaring "my life was ripped apart" and "they're good enough to go and sacrifice their life and we give them nothing." 

The ad also includes Staff Sergeant John Daniel Shannon bravely testifying before Congress that soldiers were treated "in my opinion, like a piece of dirt."  Poignant photographs of wounded veterans are interspersed throughout the ad.  A narrator reminds viewers that in the sevens months since the Walter Reed fiasco, little has been done and to make matters worse, the veterans budget is now late.  Viewers are asked to urge Congress and the President to approve the VA budget and "demand action at IAVAaction.org."   IAVAaction.org gives supporters the opportunity to sign an online petition urging Congress and the President to pass the VA budget immediately.

"Americans were rightly outraged when they first learned of the deplorable conditions at Walter Reed and many people assume that the problems have been fixed.  As a recent GAO report revealed, it has been seven months and President Bush and the Congress still have not adequately improved care for wounded servicemembers," said  Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA Executive Director.  "To compound the problems, the VA budget is late.  Congress is busy fighting about frivolous topics like Rush Limbaugh's comments or MoveOn.org's latest ad when there is real work to be done.  It is critical that they take immediate action on issues that will substantially impact veterans' lives."

The delays in improving veterans' care may force other servicemembers and their loved ones to cope with the same hardships as Mrs. McLeod and her family. "Wendell's experience at Walter Reed was horrific.  Our whole family suffered from the bureaucratic fiasco we encountered.  I hope no one else ever has to cope with the heartache and frustration we faced," said Mrs. McLeod.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  A non-profit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 60,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states. To arrange an interview with Annette McLeod or Paul Rieckhoff, please contact Michael Houston at (212)-982-9699, or email michael@iava.org. 

 

Dear Fellow Texas Democratic Veteran Members,                                                                                                         16 Aug 07

We welcome you to attend our General Meeting on October 27, 2007 from 1:30 to 4PM at GLI Distributors (Fiesta Room), 803 South Medina Street, San Antonio, Texas. We will have refreshments. We appreciate your service to our great country and want to hear your valuable input on how to enhance the wellness of our organization and also how to enhance the wellness of our military, veterans, family members and the Democratic Party. We will be discussing many important items.

We wiill have our bi-annual elections at the general meeting and you have to be present to vote in the election. Here are the current officers all all have expressed interest in running for re-election:

Vice Chairman for Political Outreach - Ram Chavez; Corpus Christi, Texas
Vice Chairman for Veterans Outreach and Parliamentarian - Leslie M. Rosenblatt; The Woodlands, Texas
Vice Chairman for Administration - Open
Vice Chairman for Membership - Alex Trejo; Harlingen, Texas
Vice Chairman for Communications - Daniel Clayton; Emory, Texas
Secretary - Craig Caldwell; Rusk, Texas
Treasurer - Charlie Jones; San Antonio, Texas

We do welcome and encourage any other members to run for any of the offices. Please contact Les Rosenblatt by September 13, 2007 so he can put your name on the ballot for the position you want to run for. His contact information is : email address: Lmrnev@juno.com, Address: 99 E. Mistybreeze Circle, The Woodlands, TX 77381, 281-292-1304 (home), 281-772-4770 (cell). To be considered for an office you do not have to attend the General meeting, only to vote do you have to attend. We will also accept nominations from the floor at the meeting.

Attached are the office position descriptions:

The Chair shall:
a) preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and the Biennial Meeting;
b) represent TDV publicly or designate an alternate as approved by the Executive Committee;
c) appoint standing committee chairs as provided in these bylaws;
d) appoint special committees and non-voting officers as needed with approval of the Executive Committee with majority vote;
e) serve as ex officio member on all committees, except the Elections Committee;
f) set meeting dates and prepare the agenda for each after notification of the Executive Committee;
g) hire employees with approval of Executive Committee and supervise employees;
h) and such other duties applicable to the office as contained in these bylaws, or as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted in Article XV.

The Vice-chair of Administration shall:
a) perform the duties of the chair when the chair is absent;
b) perform duties assigned by the chair;
c) serve on the Finance Committee.

The Vice-chair of Fundraising shall:
a)will develop programs for fundraising and advise the Executive Committee on fundraising;
b)serve on the Finance Committee.

The Vice-chair of Veterans Outreach shall:
a) will develop programs and advise the Executive Committee on establishing relationships with other veterans groups and veterans;
b) the establishing relations with other veterians groups will include non-political and political.

The Vice-chair of Membership shall:
a) will develop programs for recruitment of new members and advise the Executive Committee on membership;
b) will maintain and safe guard the membership lists;
c) will not release the membership to anyone with prior WRITTEN approval from the Executive Committee.

The Vice-chair of Communications shall:
a) act as Chair of Communications and Website Committee and Newsletter / Mail Notification Committee; Coordinate with and advise Political Outreach Committee to develop unified message for TDV with the approval of the Executive Board;
b) be responsible to maintaining the TDV Yahoo Group Discussion Board allowing free and unfettered communication on Veterans Issues between TDV members and other Veterans;
c) maintain Texas Democratic Veterans Website and maintain a General Statement of the Principals and Purpose of TDV;
d) insure Website is free of any links to other group unless approved by majority vote of the Executive Committee and to monitor those groups and to report to Executive Committee any content that may adversely affect TDV; e) be responsible for electronic correspondence between TDV and its membership; f) be responsible for the delivery of all correspondence approved by the Executive Board;
g) if there is no response from the Executive Board within 24 hours the correspondence or news release will be made public and distributed.

The Vice-chair of Political Outreach and Affairs shall:
a) will develop programs and advise the Executive Committee on political matters in accordence with Articles III and IV;
b) will keep the members of TDV informed of all activities that meet the objectives of Articles III and IV.

The Secretary shall:
a) be responsible for the minutes of the Executive Committee meetings and Annual Meeting, take minutes, and distribute the
minutes to the Executive Committee;
b) report attendance of the Executive Committee members at Executive Committee meetings in the minutes;
c) be responsible for TDV’s correspondence as directed by thechairman;
d) send out notices to the Executive Committee as directed by the chairman;
g) maintains copies of all records, agendas, minutes, reports and resolutions for official records;
h) shall maintain a current roster of clubs, presidents, Executive Committee members and members for distribution as directd by the chairman or the Executive Committee.

The Treasurer shall:
a) be the custodian of funds in bank accounts, pay all bills upon authorization of the Executive Board;
b) submit a written financial report of TDV and account for all funds received and disbursed at each Executive Committee meeting;
c) serve on the Financial Committee;
d) provide complete club and member information to the Secretary and President upon receipt of that information;
e) keep an itemized record, in a permanent file, of all receipts and expenditures;
f) the Treasurer shall write/revise in writing, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, procedures and policies for accountability of all expenditures of funds and accounting for ALL property owned by TDV;
g) no expenditure shall be made that exceeds $250.00 without notification and approval of the Executive Committee. A simple majority vote will be required. The Treasurer will be required to report the expenditure either in a public meeting or by electronic means. A record will be kept by the Treasurer;
h) if an officer spends over $250.00 without the approval of the Executive Committee he/she may be suspended/removed from office;
i) the Treasurer will report at least once a month the income and expenditures to all Executive Committee members. The report may be sent via email;
j) the Treasurer shall write/revise in writing, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, procedures and policies for accountability of all expenditures of funds and accounting for ALL property owned by TDV;
k) emergency expenditures will require the approval of one member of the Executive Committee.

The Parliamentarian shall:
Will insure proper parlimentarian procedures are maintained at all meetings in accordence with the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order.

The Sgt Major at Arms shall:
Will assist the chairman and parliamentarian in maintaining order at all of TDV’s meetings.

Thanks again for being a member of the Texas Democratic Veterans. We invite you to visit our website, www.texasdemocratic.veterans.org. You are reminded 2008 dues renewal will be on 31 Dec 2007. We will send a remind post card out around 1 Dec 2007.

Sincerely,



LARRY ROMO
Texas Democratic Veterans Chairman

 


 

9 Mar 07 - DNC Veterans and Military Families Council Demand Optimal Health Care for Our Military and Veterans

Posted by DNC Veterans and Military Families Council on March 9, 2007
at 09:28 AM

President Abraham Lincoln during his second inaugural address in
1865, stated: "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and
for his widow and his orphan." President Lincoln clearly understood
the importance of caring for our military and veterans that we put in
harms way and the importance of also caring for their family members.

The Walter Reed travesty is a Katrina moment for the Bush
Administration because it shows how the administration has completely
failed in their duty to care for the troops who have served so
bravely and their families back home.

It is high time the BUSH Administration stop having political photo
ops with the troops and declare mission accomplished and work to
truly have optimal quality health care for our military and veterans.
The Administration has let the troops down.

The DNC Veterans and Military Families Council calls on President
Bush to appoint veterans from all wartime eras to include Iraq or
Afghanistan and their family members on the new Presidential
Commission he is formulating to look at our military and veterans
health facilities. We need to ensure the current generation is heard
and represented. We need to take care of our heroes and will accept
nothing less.

LARRY ROMO, Lt Col USAFR (Ret)
DNC Veterans and Military Families Council Member/TDV Chairman

 

25 Mar 07 - TDV works with Texas Legislators on Military Veterans and Family Members related bills.  The TDV is diligently working with our Texas Legislators on very important bills introduced both in the Texas House and Senate that will enhance the quality of lives of our heroes and their families.  We ask that you review the proposed bills at the website: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Search/BillSearch.aspx  This website will allow you to look at all the proposed military, veteran related bills from both the House and Senate.  There are many good bills here so please review them and call your Texas State Legislators and tell them you support the bills that will help out our valiant military.  For example, the Hazelwood Legacy Act bill introduced by Senator Leticia Van De Putte, SB874: and the Overseas Voting by Our Military (Pilot Program) bill introduced by both Senator Letica Van De Putte, SB90; and Frank Corte, HB17; are two examples of bills the TDV is whole-heartedly supporting and we ask you to support them!

 

25 Mar 07 - TDV Chair Calls on Congressmen and Senators to put pressure on Administration to make Diplomacy a Tool for the War on Terror

The TDV Chairman suggests that the Administration emphasize Diplomacy as a Tool.  We must as a nation, work with all other nations to find a diplomatic solutions in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.  Every country around there does not want war to spread unto their borders and have a lot to gain to find a diplomatic solution.  We should try and have a continuous shuttle diplomacy until we come up with a workable agreement.  This is supporting the troops!  Secretary of State Rice or an Appointed Special Envoy needs to get on the road and engage with whoever we need in order to resolve these issues and conflicts.  We need a sincere effort!  The Iraq conflict especially requires a political solution.  Even, General Petraeus on Mar 8 stated:

There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency of Iraq," Petraeus said.

"Military action is necessary to help improve security ... but it is not sufficient."

He said political progress would require talking to and reconciling with "some of those who have felt the new Iraq did not have a place for them."

The sooner we start the effort the quicker we can get our troops out. Call and write the Administration and ask them to support the troops and start diplomacy!

LARRY ROMO, Lt Col USAFR (Ret)
DNC Veterans and Military Families Council Member/TDV Chairman

 

 

 

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