[DOCID: f:hd008.105]
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105th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 105-8


 
           National Report Disabled American Veterans 1996


                     New Orleans Hilton Riverside,
                         New Orleans, Louisiana
                         July 27-August 1, 1996


         1996--NATIONAL REPORT, DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS--1996
                                     

105th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 105-8



                      DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS



                       75TH NATIONAL CONVENTION

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                         THE NATIONAL ADJUTANT

                       DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

                              transmitting

   THE REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ORGANIZATION'S 75th NATIONAL 
    CONVENTION, INCLUDING THEIR ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT OF RECEIPTS AND 
  EXPENDITURES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995--RECEIVED IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF 
  REPRESENTATIVES NOVEMBER 14, 1996, PURSUANT TO 36 U.S.C. 90i AND 44 
                              U.S.C. 1332

<GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>


 January 7, 1997.--Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and 
                         ordered to be printed


                   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, 
Inc., the Disabled American Veterans, and the AMVETS (American 
Veterans of World War II), respectively, shall be printed 
annually with accompanying illustrations, as separate House 
documents of the session of the Congress to which they maybe 
submitted.
    [Approved October 2, 1968.]


                         LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                              ----------                              

                                Disabled American Veterans,
                                                  October 30, 1996.
Hon. Newt Gingrich,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: As business manager of the Disabled 
American Veterans, and as secretary of its National Convention, 
I hereby certify as to the authenticity of the reports and the 
proceedings of our National Convention, held in New Orleans, 
Louisiana, July 27-August 1, 1996, and submit them to you 
through the office of this organization located in Washington, 
DC, pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 186 of the 72d 
Congress, as amended, to be printed as a House document in 
accordance with the authorization of section 1332 of title 44, 
United States Code.
    The enclosed National Convention proceedings include an 
independent audit report of all receipts and expenditures as of 
December 31, 1995, as required by the provisions of section 3 
of the Public Law 88-504, approved August 30, 1964.
            Sincerely,
                                          Arthur H. Wilson,
                                                 National Adjutant.


                            C O N T E N T S

                               ----------

         JOINT OPENING SESSION, SUNDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 28, 1996

                                                                   Page
Call to Order, Commander Thomas A. McMasters III.................     1
Convention Chairman's Remarks....................................     3
Commander's Report...............................................     5
Address, President William J. Clinton............................     9
Address, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown...............    20
Introductions....................................................    24
Auxiliary Commander's Report.....................................    25
Presentation of Awards:
    Outstanding Auxiliary Member of the Year.....................    28
    Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year.....................    29
    George H. Seal Memorial......................................    31
    Sweepstakes Winner...........................................    33
Convention Committee Advisor Appointments........................    34
Recess...........................................................    34

         FIRST BUSINESS SESSION, MONDAY MORNING, JULY 29, 1996

Call to Order, Commander Thomas A. McMasters III.................    35
First Credentials Committee Report...............................    35
Adoption of Rules................................................    36
Adoption of Statement of Policy..................................    36
Adjutant's Report................................................    38
Membership Report and Awards.....................................    45
National Finance Committee Report................................    47
List of Delegates and Alternates for Convention Committees.......    71
Hospital and Voluntary Services Convention Committee Report......    77
Address, Congressman Steve Buyer.................................    85
Committee on Employment Report...................................    92
Recess...........................................................   103

        SECOND BUSINESS SESSION, MONDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 29, 1996

Call to Order, Commander Thomas A. McMasters III.................   103
Report of Washington Headquarters Executive Director.............   104
Written Reports:
    National Service Director....................................   108
    Recapitulation of Service Activities.........................   116
    National Director of Voluntary Services......................   147
    National Employment Director.................................   152
    National Legislative Director................................   156
Re Amendment to Convention Rules.................................   174
Presentation from Department of Louisiana........................   174
Committee on General Resolutions and Membership Report...........   174
Presentation of Employment Awards................................   189
Vietnam Veterans National Memorial Report........................   193
First Reading of Amendments to Constitution and Bylaws...........   197
Recess...........................................................   202

         THIRD BUSINESS SESSION, TUESDAY MORNING, JULY 30, 1996

Call to Order, Commander Thomas A. McMasters III.................   202
Credentials Report...............................................   203
Introductions and Remarks, National Order of Trench Rats.........   203
Presentation from Chapel of Four Chaplains.......................   204
Committee on Finance and Dues Report.............................   205
National Service Foundation Report...............................   206
Committee on Legislation and Veterans' Rights Report.............   224
Final Reading of Amendments to Constitution and Bylaws...........   247
Recess...........................................................   257

        FINAL BUSINESS SESSION, THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 1, 1996

Call to Order, Commander Thomas A. McMasters III.................   257
Remarks, President, Commanders and Adjutants Association.........   258
Remarks, National Order of Trench Rats...........................   258
Final Credentials Report.........................................   259
Committee on Nomination of National Officers Report..............   260
Nomination and Election of National Officers.....................   260
Newly Elected Officers Remarks...................................   263
Presentations....................................................   270
Announcement of New NEC Members..................................   270
Adjournment......................................................   271
  

                            INDEX OF MOTIONS                            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Motion                 Page          Action          Page 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accept commander's report........  .......  Carried............  .......
Adopt Rules......................  .......  Carried............  .......
Amend............................  .......  Carried............  .......
Adopt Policy Statement...........  .......  Carried............  .......
Accept Adjutant's report.........  .......  Carried............  .......
Accept Membership report.........  .......  Carried............  .......
Accept Finance Committee report,   .......  Carried............  .......
 etc.                                                                   
Admit into record list of          .......  Carried............  .......
 convention committees, etc..                                           
Adopt resolutions of Hospital and  .......  Carried............  .......
 Voluntary Services Committee.                                          
Adopt report and resolutions from  .......  Carried............  .......
 Employment Committee, etc.                                             
Adopt Rules as amended...........  .......  Carried............  .......
Adopt report of Committee on       .......  Carried............  .......
 General Resolutions and                                                
 Membership.                                                            
Adopt Resolution 58..............  .......  Lost...............  .......
Adopt Resolution 59..............  .......  Lost...............  .......
Adopt Resolution 76..............  .......  Lost...............  .......
Accept report of Vietnam Veterans  .......  Carried............  .......
 Memorial.                                                              
Adopt report of Committee on       .......  Carried............  .......
 Finance and Dues, etc..                                                
Accept Service Foundation report.  .......  Carried............  .......
Adopt report of Committee on       .......  Carried............  .......
 Legislation and Veterans' Rights.                                      
Adopt resolutions from                                                  
 Constitution and Bylaws                                                
 Committee:                                                             
    Number 197...................  .......  Carried............  .......
    Numbers 200 through 217......  .......  Carried............  .......
    Number 254...................  .......  Carried............  .......
    Number 218...................  .......  Carried............  .......
Discharge committee with vote of   .......  Carried............  .......
 thanks.                                                                
Adopt final credentials report...  .......  Carried............  .......
Accept report of Committee on      .......  Carried............  .......
 Nomination and Election of                                             
 Officers, etc.                                                         
Discharge Credentials Committee    .......  Carried............  .......
 Adjourn.                                                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------

  



                       NATIONAL OFFICERS 1996-97

                       DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

                           National Commander

   Gregory C. Reed, 6924 N. Fairfax Drive, #114, Arlington, VA 22213

                         Senior Vice Commander

  Harry R. McDonald, Jr., 6161 North Highway 393, Crestview, FL 32539

                      First Junior Vice Commander

       William D. Wiggins, 302 Starmont Drive, Danville, VA 24540

                      Second Junior Vice Commander

        Andrew A. Kistler, 802 Grant Street, Franklin, PA 16323

                      Third Junior Vice Commander

     Michael E. Dobmeier, P.O. Box 6811, Grand Forks, ND 58206-6188

                      Fourth Junior Vice Commander

      Richard Christopher, 6 Catalpa Street, Saugus, MA 01906-2931

                        National Judge Advocate

     Edward G. Galian, 200 Atlantic Avenue, #1, Lynbrook, NY 11563

                           National Chaplain

    Rev. Carl E. Bergstrom, 17 Brookmoor Road, Dover, NH 03820-5303

                        Past National Commander

  Thomas A. McMasters III, 11965 Steven Drive, Sterling Hts., MI 48312


                      NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

First district: Everett J. Nygard, Jr., 314 Otter River Road, 
        Templeton, MA 01468
Second district: Sal R. Tornatore, 170 W. 22nd St., Huntington 
        Station, NY 11746
Third district: David A. Schiapo, 65 Beacon Street, Cranston, 
        RI 02910
Fourth district: Grover Don Penn, 2116 Elder Drive, Wilmington, 
        DE 19808
Fifth district: Donald C. Graffius, 1606 Montier Street, 
        Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Sixth district: Josue N. Saez, Guadalupe 26, El Almo, Guaynabo, 
        PR 00969
Seventh district: Tommy R. Simms, 333 Hollywood Blvd. NW, Ft. 
        Walton Bch., FL 32548
Eighth district: Charles W. Mills, 2241 Edinburgh Drive, 
        Montgomery, AL 36116
Ninth district: Ronald L. Voegeli, 702 Battery Creek Road, 
        Beaufort, SC 29902
Tenth district: Roger L. Jansen, 4925 Butternut Drive, Holland, 
        MI 49424
Eleventh district: Nicholas J. Border, 7306 Kingsman-Nickerson 
        Road, Kinsman, OH 44428
Twelfth district: Richard R. Harris, 40154 Lakeview Avenue, 
        Antioch, IL 60002
Thirteenth district: Glen E. Vogel, Sr., P.O. Box 353, 
        Wolcottville, IN 46795
Fourteenth district: Harry VandeMore, 48402 292nd Street, 
        Hudson, SD 57034
Fifteenth district: Francis E. McLaskey, 3130 33rd Avenue SW, 
        Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Sixteenth district: Robert D. Salisbury, 2562 N. Courtland St., 
        Orange, CA 92867
Seventeenth district: Stanley L. Miller, 1102 E. Wood, 
        Carlsbad, NM 88220
Eighteenth district: Michael J. Smaydy, 321 S. Lynx Creek Road, 
        Prescott, AZ 86303
Nineteenth district: Fred G. Ruppert, 2352 Broadmoor Avenue, 
        Fairbanks, AK 99709
Twentieth district: William A. Bone, 205 Coventry Drive, 
        Hewitt, TX 76643
Twenty-first district: Adrian H. Hunt, 123 Apache Drive, 
        Searcy, AR 72143

        <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
        
                       NATIONAL OFFICERS 1995-96

                       DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

                           National Commander

  Thomas A. McMasters III, 11965 Steven Drive, Sterling Hts., MI 48312

                         Senior Vice Commander

   Gregory C. Reed, 6924 N. Fairfax Drive, #114, Arlington, VA 22213

                      First Junior Vice Commander

  Harry R. McDonald, Jr., 6161 North Highway 393, Crestview, FL 32539

                      Second Junior Vice Commander

      William D. Wiggins,  302 Starmont Drive, Danville, VA 24540

                      Third Junior Vice Commander

        Andrew A. Kistler,  802 Grant Street, Franklin, PA 16323

                      Fourth Junior Vice Commander

    Michael E. Dobmeier,  P.O. Box 6811, Grand Forks, ND 58206-6188

                        National Judge Advocate

     Edward G. Galian, 200 Atlantic Avenue, #1, Lynbrook, NY 11563

                           National Chaplain

         Rev. Oscar I. Wilkie, 518 Houston, Muskogee, OK 74403

                        Past National Commander

     Donald A. Sioss, 11 Miller Woods Drive, Miller Place, NY 11764


                      NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

First district: Everett J. Nygard, Jr., 314 Otter River Road, 
        Templeton, MA 01468
Second district: George R. LePorte, 72 Oswego Street, 
        Baldwinsville, NY 13027
Third district: David A. Schiapo, 65 Beacon Street, Cranston, 
        RI 02910
Fourth district: Albert R. Fanslau, 26 E. Reading Avenue, 
        Pleasantville, NJ 07232
Fifth district: Donald C. Graffius, 1606 Montier Street, 
        Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Sixth district: Carl J. Carter, 5025 Illinois Avenue, NW, 
        Washington, DC 20011
Seventh district: Tommy R. Simms, 333 Hollywood Blvd. NW, Ft. 
        Walton Bch., FL 32548
Eighth district: John A. Bell, 547 Spryfield Road, Jackson, MS 
        39212
Ninth district: Ronald L. Voegeli, 702 Battery Creek Road, 
        Beaufort, SC 29902
Tenth district: Lowell G. McKeehan, 20360 Beatrice Street, 
        Livonia, MI 48152
Eleventh district: Nicholas J. Border, 7306 Kingsman-Nickerson 
        Road, Kinsman, OH 44428
Twelfth district: Dorothy R. Schilling 6205 Highway V, 
        Caledonia, WI 53108
Thirteenth district: Glen E. Vogel, Sr., P.O. Box 353, 
        Wolcottville, IN 46795
Fourteenth district: Victor C. Hass, P.O. Box 204, Bowbells, ND 
        48721
Fifteenth district: Francis E. McLaskey, 3130 33rd Avenue SW, 
        Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Sixteenth district: Charles H. Demele, 38 San Felipe Court, 
        Salinas, CA 93901
Seventeenth district: Stanley L. Miller, 1102 E. Wood, 
        Carlsbad, NM 88220
Eighteenth district: Edwin K. Wise, 85-128 E. Ala Walua Street, 
        Waianae, HI 96792
Nineteenth district: Fred G. Ruppert, 2352 Broadmoor Avenue, 
        Fairbanks, AK 99709
Twentieth district: Earl D. Walker, P.O. Box 1492, Kingsland, 
        TX 78639
Twenty-first district: Adrian H. Hunt, 123 Apache Drive, 
        Searcy, AR 72143

                        PAST NATIONAL COMMANDERS                        
1921-22:                          Robert S. Marx, Cincinnati, Ohio      
                                   (deceased 1960)                      
1922-23:                          C. Hamilton Cook, Buffalo, New York   
                                   (deceased 1935)                      
1923-24:                          James A. McFarland, Dalton, Georgia   
                                   (decreased 1942)                     
1924-25:                          Frank J. Irwin, New York, New York    
                                   (deceased 1942)                      
1925-26:                          John W. Mahan, Bozeman, Montana       
                                   (deceased 1947)                      
1926-27:                          John V. Clinnin, Chicago, Illinois    
                                   (deceased 1955)                      
1927-28:                          William E. Tate, Atlanta, Georgia     
                                   (deceased 1949)                      
1928-29:                          Millard W. Rice, Minneapolis,         
                                   Minnesota (deceased 1980)            
1929-30:                          William J. Murphy, Santa Ana,         
                                   California (deceased 1931)           
1930-31:                          H.H. Weimer, Chicago, Illinois        
                                   (deceased 1955)                      
1931-32:                          E. Claude Babcock, Washington, D.C.   
                                   (deceased 1958)                      
1932-33:                          William Conley, Los Angeles,          
                                   California (deceased 1941)           
1933-34:                          Joe W. McQueen, Kansas City, Missouri 
                                   (deceased 1969)                      
1934-35:                          Volney P. Mooney, Jr., Los Angeles,   
                                   California (deceased 1945)           
1935-36:                          Marvin A. Harlan, El Paso, Texas      
                                   (deceased 1970)                      
1936-37:                          M. Froome Barbour, Cincinnati, Ohio   
                                   (deceased 1985)                      
1937-38:                          Maple T. Harl, Denver, Colorado       
                                   (deceased 1957)                      
1938-39:                          Owen Galvin, Minneapolis, Minnesota   
                                   (deceased 1956)                      
1939-40:                          Lewis J. Murphy, South Bend, Indiana  
                                   (deceased 1966)                      
1940-41:                          Vincent E. Schoeck, Detroit, Michigan 
                                   (deceased 1966)                      
                                  August 16, 1941-August 15, 1943:      
                                   Lawrence R. Melton, Dallas, Texas    
                                   (deceased 1978)                      
                                  August 15, 1943-September 20, 1943:   
                                   William J. Dodd, Jersey City, New    
                                   Jersey (deceased 1957)               
1943-44:                          James L. Monnahan, Minneapolis,       
                                   Minnesota (deceased 1980)            
1944-45:                          Milton D. Cohn, Buffalo, New York     
                                   (deceased 1968)                      
1945-46:                          Dow V. Walker, Newport, Oregon        
                                   (deceased 1957)                      
1946-47:                          Lloyd F. Oleson, Ventura, California  
                                   (deceased 1982)                      
1947-48:                          John L. Golob, Hibbing, Minnesota     
                                   (deceased 1976)                      
1948-49:                          Jonathon M. Wainwright, San Antonio,  
                                   Texas (deceased 1953)                
1949-50:                          David M. Brown, Akron, Ohio (deceased 
                                   1982)                                
1950-51:                          Boniface R. Maile, Grosse Pointe,     
                                   Michigan                             
1951-52:                          Ewing W. Mays, Little Rock, Arkansas  
                                   (deceased 1994)                      
1952-53:                          Floyd L. Ming, Bakersfield, California
                                   (deceased 1975)                      
1953-54:                          Howard W. Watts, Indianapolis, Indiana
                                   (deceased 1977)                      
1954-55:                          Alfred L. English, Shelbyville,       
                                   Tennessee (deceased 1987)            
1955-56:                          Melvin J. Maas, Chevy Chase, Maryland 
                                   (deceased 1964)                      
1956-57:                          Joseph F. Burke, Bayonne, New Jersey  
                                   (deceased 1970)                      
1957-58:                          Paul E. Frederick, Jr., Cincinnati,   
                                   Ohio                                 
1958-59:                          David B. Williams, Boston,            
                                   Massachusetts (deceased 1994)        
1959-60:                          Bill H. Fribley, Crestline, Kansas    
                                   (deceased 1994)                      
1960-61:                          William O. Cooper, Dallas, Texas      
                                   (deceased 1990)                      
1961-62:                          Francis R. Buono, Whitestone, New     
                                   York, (deceased 1977)                
1962-63:                          Peter L. Dye, Denver, Colorado        
1963-64:                          Douglas H. McGarrity, Allen Park,     
                                   Michigan (deceased 1986)             
1964-65:                          William G. Dwyer, San Diego,          
                                   California (deceased 1982)           
1965-66:                          Claude L. Callegary, Baltimore,       
                                   Maryland                             
1966-67:                          John W. Unger, Sr., Danville, Illinois
                                   (deceased 1970)                      
1967-68:                          Francis J. Beaton, Fargo, North Dakota
                                   (deceased 1969)                      
1968-69:                          Wayne L. Sheribon, Seattle, Washington
1969-70:                          Raymond P. Neal, Daly City, California
1970-71:                          Cecil W. Stevenson, Jonesboro,        
                                   Arkansas                             
1971-72:                          Edward T. Conroy, Bowie, Maryland     
                                   (deceased 1982)                      
1972-73-                          Jack O. Hicks, Larue, Ohio            
1973:74:                          John T. Soave, Detroit, Michigan      
                                   (deceased 1984)                      
1974-75:                          Walter T. Greaney, Jamaica Plain,     
                                   Massachusetts (deceased 1994)        
1975-76:                          Lyle C. Pearson, North Mankato,       
                                   Minnesota                            
1976-77:                          Frank J. Randazzo, East Meadow, New   
                                   York                                 
1977-78:                           Oliver E. Meadows, Godley, Texas     
1978-79:                          Billy O. Hightower, Grand Junction,   
                                   Colorado                             
1979-80:                          Paul L. Thompson, Baltimore, Maryland 
                                   (deceased 1993)                      
1980-81:                          Stan Pealer, Holts Summit, Missouri   
1981-82:                          Sherman E. Roodzant, Santa Ana,       
                                   California                           
1982-83:                          Edward G. Galian, New York, New York  
1983-84:                          Dennis A. Joyner, Apollo, Pennsylvania
1984-85:                          Chad Colley, Barling, Arkansas        
1985-86:                          Albert H. Linden, Jr., Camp Springs,  
                                   Maryland                             
1986-87:                          Kenneth G. Musslemann, Huntington     
                                   Beach, California                    
1987-88:                          Gene A. Murphy, Sioux Falls, South    
                                   Dakota                               
1988-89:                          Billy E. Kirby, Clifton, Texas        
1989-90:                          Vernon V. Cardosi, Saugus,            
                                   Massachusetts                        
1990-91:                          Joseph E. Andry, Westerville, Ohio    
1991-92:                          Cleveland Jordan, Washington, D.C.    
1992-93:                          Joseph C. Zengerle, Washington, D.C.  
1993-94:                          Richard E. Marbes, Green Bay,         
                                   Wisconsin                            
1994-95:                          Donald A. Sioss, Miller Place, New    
                                   York                                 
1995-96:                          Thomas A. McMasters III, Sterling     
                                   Heights, Michigan                    
                                                                        

 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 75TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE DISABLED AMERICAN 
                    VETERANS HELD AT NEW ORLEANS, LA

                         July 27-August 1, 1996

                         JOINT OPENING SESSION

                             July 28, 1996

    The Joint Opening Session of the Disabled American Veterans 
and Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary convened in the Grand 
Ballroom of the New Orleans Hilton Riverside, New Orleans, 
Louisiana, Sunday afternoon, July 28, 1996, and was called to 
order at 1 p.m. by Commander Thomas A. McMaster, III.
    Commander Thomas A. McMaster III. I now call to order the 
75th National Convention of the Disabled American Veterans.
    Arthur H. Wilson, national adjutant, will read the call to 
convention.
    Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson. The Constitution and Bylaws of 
the Disabled American Veterans state that the supreme 
legislative powers of this organization shall be vested in an 
annual national convention composed of national officers and 
representatives of state departments and chapters.
    In accordance with these directives, I, Arthur H. Wilson, 
national adjutant, declare the 75th National Convention of the 
Disabled American Veterans to be convened at New Orleans, 
Louisiana 1 p.m., July 28th 1996.
    Consideration and disposition of business brought before 
this convention shall be conducted in accordance with the 
National Constitution and Bylaws now in force and such rules as 
this convention will adopt.
    Commander McMasters. Present Colors.
    [Presentation of Colors.]
    Commander McMasters. Ladies and gentlemen, our National 
Anthem.
    [Singing of National Anthem.]
    Commander McMasters. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me 
in giving the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country.
    [Pledge of Allegiance. Musical tribute to flag by Bob and 
Becky Myers. Video presentation.]
    Commander McMasters. Color Guard dismissed.
    [Dismissal of Color Guard.]
    Commander McMasters. I call on Reverend Oscar Wilkie, our 
national chaplain, for the invocation.
    Chaplain Oscar Wilkie. Comrades, will you join me in a 
moment of silence as we begin this national convention, in 
memory of all of those who perished on the TWA flight, the 
tragic death that occurred in Atlanta in the bombing, and the 
senseless killings around the world.
    Join me in a moment of remembrance for those who could not 
be here today, though they wish they could. They're somewhere, 
in the hospitals, at home, recuperating from injuries perhaps 
received in defense of this great country.
    Join me, if you will, in remembrance of all those widows, 
the widowers and the children of those who remain to make life 
after the loved one has gone on the receive their just reward.
    Join me for a moment in remembering all of those whose 
names are inscribed indelibly upon each one of our hearts, even 
though they may remain unspoken. May we have just a word of 
silence.
    [Moment of silence.]
    Chaplain Wilkie. It is indeed good, Father, that we can 
come and enjoy a moment of silence. Our lives are so lived with 
noise, and it seems that the onrush of sound sometimes 
obliterates. Your voice as it would speak to us in such times 
as these. But we know that voice is there, and it shrieks 
against the winds that may blow against us, and we hear that 
word of encouragement.
    How we thank You today for this great nation that You have 
given to us, this nation that was carved out of a wilderness by 
so many illustrious people across our history and by so many 
whose aims never made the history book, and yet whose labor and 
whose toil is still remembered; for the faith that enabled 
those pioneers to go ahead and to push westward and upward, 
even remembering the great dream called America and what 
America stands for.
    We do thank You for all of those, Father, who we remembered 
this morning in the memorial service for their families and for 
the leaders of this great nation.
    O Lord, we thank You for our President and for our 
Congress. Even though we may disagree sometime, yet we know 
that they are performing the duties that You have called upon 
them to perform, and we pray that You would imbue them with the 
competency for Your Divine wisdom that the decisions that they 
make will be just in the eyes of God and in the eyes of man.
    And now we thank You for this convention, for these people 
that have come to gather here to try to reason how that we can 
better serve those whom we are called to serve. We thank You 
for Your kindness and the good hand that has led us to this 
hour.
    We lift up our commanders, Commander Tom and Commander 
Barbara, as they lead us in these deliberations. Also be with 
them, Father, in such a fine and magnificent way that they'll 
be able to lead with candor, and that they'll be able to help 
us to foresee all of those things which You would have done in 
these days.
    Direct us, be near us, for we pray in Thy Great and Holy 
Name. Amen.
    Commander McMasters. Will you please be seated?
    Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in thanking the Navy 
Band of New Orleans. [Applause.] I guess I paused too long. 
They're from the Naval Support Activities under the direction 
of Chief Musician Joe Oakes. [Applause.]
    I would also like to thank the members of the Department of 
Massachusetts Color Guard for posting the Colors. [Applause.]
    And special thanks to Bob and Becky Myers for their musical 
tribute. [Applause.]
    A successful national convention hinges on the dedication 
of numerous men and women working cooperatively to make our 
annual gathering a special experience for all who attend. 
Commitment, experience, organization and limitless enthusiasm 
are the key elements to successfully planning and carrying out 
a tremendous national convention. Leading that work force is a 
monumental task.
    This year we are blessed with a national convention 
chairman whose enthusiasm is contagious, whose organization is 
on target all the way, whose commitment is second to none, and 
whose experience as national convention chairman in 1991 was 
just outstanding. That's why we welcomed the opportunity to 
have him chair the 75th National Convention of the Disabled 
American Veterans.
    A life member of Central Louisiana Chapter Number 7 and a 
DAV leader in every way, he has served as secretary of the 
Hospital and Voluntary Services Committee, chairman of the 
Constitution and Bylaws Committee and the Transportation 
Committee, chairman of the Louisiana Veterans Memorial 
Committee, commander of the DAV Department of Louisiana, 8th 
District alternate National Executive Committee member, and DAV 
Department of Louisiana judge advocate for the past three 
years.
    Please join me in welcoming a truly dedicated disabled 
American veteran, our national convention chairman, Paul 
Benoit. [Applause.]
    Mr. Paul Benoit. Thank you. Mr. Commander, Madam Commander, 
national officers of the Disabled American Veterans and the 
Auxiliary: Welcome to New Orleans, Louisiana. [Applause.] On 
behalf of Commander Bob Quattlebaum and the membership of the 
Department of Louisiana, we sincerely wish that your stay here 
will be productive, and that you will enjoy some of New Orleans 
hospitality and tradition.
    I would also like to add at this time a very sincere Cajun 
bien merci, than you, to President Bill Clinton for the giving 
of his time to come and speak to our organization and being 
here in my great state of Louisiana. [Applause.]
    First, I mentioned that we should be here to be productive 
for our great organization. You would not think that we would 
need an organization such as ours to defend and protect the 
rights of our military personnel and their families who undergo 
tragedies like the one that occurred on the 25th of June, 1996 
in Saudi Arabia. Nineteen U. S. servicemen, personnel, died, 
and 300 were injured. But we, the people here today, know how 
times go by and how some people forget.
    I also know of many members that would love to be here 
today but are unable, due to their physical disability. As we 
have done in the past and will do in the future, those of us in 
New Orleans, Louisiana will do what we have to do to aid and 
assist worthy wartime disabled veterans, their widows, their 
orphans and their dependents. After all, we are the Disabled 
American Veterans organization doing what we do best. 
[Applause.]
    The second reason you are here, hopefully, is to enjoy New 
Orleans hospitality and tradition. First, you must get the 
Cajun attitude. After the work is done, laissez les bon temps 
roullez, let the good times roll. [Applause.]
    Good times it can be, with good food, good music, riverboat 
ride, casino and French Quarter strolling.
    Another thing we like here is Mardi Gras. We can't wait to 
have Mardi Gras here, to dress in costumes, throw beads and 
enjoy life. Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday. It occurs the Tuesday 
prior to Ash Wednesday in February.
    Now, some of you might not know that Art Wilson was once a 
national service officer in New Orleans, and he enjoys Mardi 
Gras. In fact, he enjoys Mardi Gras so much that he told us we 
couldn't wait till Tuesday, so we're going to have a Mardi Gras 
party Monday night. [Applause.]
    So on Monday night, please be our guest for Mardi Gras in 
July. The band will provide all types of Louisiana music, Mardi 
Gras, blues, Cajun and swamp pop. The delegation will dress in 
costume, and we have plenty of beads for all.
    As you walk around the hotel this week, you will notice 
some of our delegation wearing a green, orange or gold mask on 
their delegate's badge. The Louisiana delegation is using this 
method to identify themselves for all our out-of-state 
visitors. Should you have any questions or concerns, look 
around for these people, and maybe we can help.
    However, don't ask us about how to win at the casino 
because we'll ask you the same thing. [Laughter.]
    One last note. My wife made me wear this tie as a reminder 
to leave some wise words with all of you. For people who can't 
see the tie, it has a large bottle of Tabasco sauce and an 
alligator. The wise word is this: Have a hot time in Louisiana, 
but beware of the gators on Bourbon Street.
    Thank you so much. [Applause.]
    [Whereupon, Senior Vice-Commander Gregory C. Reed assumed 
the chair.]
    Senior Vice-Commander Gregory C. Reed. Each year, it's the 
pleasure of the national senior vice-commander to introduce the 
national commander for the purpose of presenting his report to 
the convention. This year, it is truly my honor to introduce a 
man who embodies the finest traits of the DAV.
    After his election to national commander, he embraced the 
inspiring mission of the DAV to build better lives for all of 
our nation's disabled veterans and their families. This was the 
task of his office, and he diligently dedicated himself to that 
mission.
    Through his capable leadership, wise counsel and abundant 
compassion, the DAV has grown stronger as an organization. Yes, 
we are indeed fortunate to have a leader like National 
Commander Thomas A. McMasters III.
    A Michigan native, Tom is a combat-disabled Vietnam 
veteran. He joined the U.S. Army in 1969 and served with the 
14th Brigade's ``Golden Dragons,'' and the 10th Cavalry's 
``Buffalo Soldiers.'' Tom was wounded while serving with the 
14th Infantry Division in Vietnam. During a combat mission in 
the Central Highlands, while making his way through tall 
elephant grass, he stepped into a booby trap and was stabbed in 
the right leg by a punji stake.
    Following his discharge in 1971, Tom attended Macomb County 
Community College, graduating with a degree in marketing in 
1974. A successful entrepreneur, he operates a small business 
near Sterling Heights, Michigan.
    Tom is a life member of DAV Chapter Number 129 in Utica, 
Michigan. Since he joined the DAV in 1972, he has held nearly 
every elected office in his chapter and department, including 
department commander in 1988. On the national level, he was 
elected 3rd junior vice-commander, 1st junior vice-commander 
and senior vice-commander before being elected our national 
commander in Las Vegas, Nevada, last year.
    It has also been my pleasure to know the McMasters family. 
Tom's wife, Sandi, is a joy to know, as well as his children, 
Thomas IV, Krysten and Lauren.
    I could spend many hours recounting all that is fine and 
honorable about Tom, but time is very short today. So let me 
leave you with this: Character and quality make the DAV a great 
organization. These same traits make Tom McMasters an exemplary 
DAV national commander. He is a warm and caring human being, 
and it has been my pleasure to serve with him.
    I am honored today to ask everyone to please join me in 
welcoming a friend to all disabled veterans and their families, 
our friend, DAV National Commander Tom McMasters. [Rising 
applause.]
    Commander McMasters. Thank you, Greg, for those very kind 
words of introduction, and thank you for the support that you 
and all of the other line officers have given me over the past 
year. My thanks as well to Auxiliary Commander Barb Hicks, the 
Auxiliary's line officers, National Adjutants Art Wilson and 
Maria Tedrow, their staffs at our headquarters facilities in 
Cincinnati, Washington and across the nation. My thanks to our 
chapter and department leaders, our HSCs, and most important of 
all, our DAV and Auxiliary members and our volunteers.
    You've given me a great year, a really tremendous year, an 
incredible adventure, and I will never forget everything you've 
meant to me as we've traveled through this year together. Thank 
you. [Applause.]
    Douglas MacArthur said, ``In war, you win or lose, live or 
die, and the difference is just an eyelash.'' I'm grateful that 
I lived, I truly am. Maybe that's why I feel so strongly about 
those who died in my war, the war in Vietnam, or the wars that 
came before my time, the World Wars, Korea, or in all the 
military actions that came after my years in service, not only 
the Gulf War, but all the fire Americans have faced from Beirut 
to Bosnia.
    Often I wonder, how do I keep faith with all those brave 
men and women who served and died? What can I do as one who was 
fortunate to come home to family and friends, even if wounded 
in body and soul? The answer is always the same, the great 
spiritual truth that lies at the heart of the DAV: We best 
honor by serving the living. This is what defines the DAV.
    I happened to pick up some recruiting material from another 
veterans' organization and noticed that veterans' legislation 
was the last topic mentioned in the organization's recruiters' 
kit and the second-to-the-last thing mentioned in their 
membership recruiting brochure. I felt a little disconcerted, a 
little disappointed, but then I realized that other 
organizations are free to define their mission any way it 
wishes. They aren't required to mirror the DAV. It's obvious 
the veterans' organization whose printed material I picked up 
sees itself as a vehicle through which veterans can serve their 
community in general, and that's okay.
    However, this situation points out how much we need the DAV 
with its tightly focused mission, zeroing in on service to and 
representation of America's disabled veterans and their 
families. Our members and our volunteers are out there day 
after day helping their fellow veterans as their first 
priority. Our NSOs are representing those veterans as 
individuals before the VA as their first priority. Our 
Washington staff represents us before the government as their 
first priority.
    In this, we are different from other veterans' groups, and 
in this we excel, providing the finest service and 
representation available to disabled veterans from any source 
anywhere in America. [Applause.]
    We saw the results of DAV excellence during the past year. 
The thrill of victory will always run down my spine when I 
remember the way we absolutely crushed a congressional attempt 
to deny benefits to thousands of incompetent veterans. Not only 
that, we fended off a great deal of damage to veterans' 
programs in many other areas as well. And we may yet get a 
decent fiscal year 1997 budget for veterans out of Congress and 
across the desk of the President.
    Dave Gorman, our executive director of the Washington 
Headquarters, will cover the highlights in his report tomorrow.
    I just want to say at this juncture that I'm proud of the 
DAV. We've done some great work over the past 12 months, and 
it's been a joy to see. But we still have our problems, don't 
we? And if others don't have veterans' legislation right up 
there at the top of their agenda, we in the DAV must remain 
particularly vigilant.
    An example of why I say this came up just a couple of weeks 
ago, as we prepared to come to this convention, an example I 
still find difficult to fathom. The rumor was out, and it had 
some pretty credible sources, that a group of United States 
senators were thinking of introducing legislation based on some 
ideas that surfaced in a computer game. The game was called 
``Reinventing America,'' and it was played on the Internet.
    The folks who played the game came up with some stellar 
ideas, like legalizing drugs, killing Social Security, means 
testing Medicare. Some other ideas, much closer to home for us 
in the DAV, include abolishing the VA network of hospitals, 
privatizing the facilities where feasible and closing them 
where not feasible, means testing veterans' benefits and 
selling off the VA benefits program to the insurance industry.
    A news release on the results of this childish exercise 
boldly proclaimed that the American people were telling 
Congress how to balance the budget. The American people my 
foot! [Applause.] This was the opinion of a few yuppies, 
sipping Scotch in their up-scale suburban dens, bored with 
``Seneca Hedgehog'' and with nothing better to do than play 
with their computers. [Applause.]
    We in the DAV know how the American people feel. In a 
recent survey cited in DAV Magazine, they stated their mind 
quite clearly. Ninety-six percent say the government should 
continue providing disability and death benefits. Eighty-eight 
percent want the government to continue providing health care 
to veterans, and the only needed changes they mentioned were 
improvement in the care provided.
    Three-fourths of them say veteran's program funding should 
be increased to keep pace with inflation, and they flatly 
reject cutting those programs in order to balance the budget. 
That's how the American people feel about our nation's 
obligations to its veterans. [Applause.]
    And any legislator who wants to set public policy by 
computer games better pay attention. Our elected officials were 
sent to Washington by a nation of people who love their 
veterans, who want their veterans treated with dignity and 
respect. No congressman or senator was sent to Capitol Hill to 
walk on the men and women who fought America's wars and spit on 
the sacrifices they made. [Applause.]
    That brings me back to something I've been saying all year. 
When we're dealing with our elected officials, our role is to 
educate, educate, educate. Now, let me repeat that. When we're 
dealing with our congressmen and our senators, our job is to 
educate, educate, educate. [Applause.]
    Public policy by computer games. We do live in a mixed-up 
world, don't we? A world where its's okay for an art museum to 
force visitors to walk on the American flag, and it's okay to 
write off the nation's obligation to its veterans as if that 
were nothing but a bad debt.
    As I think about the world we live in, it makes me realize 
once again the obligation we in the DAV have to the men and 
women who are serving in our armed forces today. Not too long 
ago, I read a newspaper article about a man and a woman who 
were both in the Reserves and both called up for active duty at 
the same time. They went. Of course they went. These were young 
people who believe in America, in duty and in honor, some think 
unusual traits in today's society.
    But while they were gone, doing their country's bidding, 
their financial situation got very tight, making it tough to 
meet their mortgage payments. They had to ask Grandma to take 
care of the kids. The list of their sacrifices, what they paid 
out personally to do what they saw as their patriotic duty went 
on and on.
    We owe these two people our allegiance. We owe this good 
and brave couple our loyalty. We owe them the benefit of our 
services when they come home from duty. And we owe them 
representation of their interests before their government. What 
I'm trying to say is this: There will be a demand for DAV 
service long into the future. We must build the foundation of 
that service today.
    National Adjutant Art Wilson will talk to you tomorrow 
about one very important way in which the DAV is working to 
build a strong network of chapter and department services. I 
won't get into details right now. But I will take this 
opportunity to thank the Department of Colorado and the DAV 
National Service Foundation for their leadership and their 
foresight.
    Another way in which we need to look toward the future is 
in the generational transition our organization faces today. 
Throughout my term in office, I have stressed the need for my 
generation, those who served in the years of Vietnam, to get 
more deeply involved in their chapters. Over and over again, 
I've emphasized the need to activate those who served and 
became disabled during the Gulf War and other recent times of 
armed conflict.
    That message was in my acceptance speech last summer when I 
was elected national commander. And I want to end my term with 
the same plea to our younger members. Can we get these younger 
veterans to take a greater role? I think we can. One Midwestern 
chapter elected a disabled Persian Gulf veteran as its 
commander during the past year. He got on the phone and started 
calling other members who were disabled in the post-Vietnam 
years, and there were two Gulf War veterans at the next 
meeting. Those two split the phone list, and they got a third 
post-Vietnam veteran to come to the following meeting.
    Things like this are happening in some of your chapters 
where there are people willing to do the work. For example, my 
own chapter has had a Persian Gulf veteran as its chaplain. It 
goes to show, when a chapter is willing to show the interest in 
its members, its members are showing a greater interest in the 
DAV. Let's keep that going. [Applause.]
    You can bet the national organization is moving heavily in 
that direction. What a pleasure it is to see all the younger 
veterans coming out of our NSO Training Academy in Denver. I 
congratulate Art Wilson and his staff for their foresight and 
their keen commitment to building the future leadership of the 
DAV.
    In closing, I want to thank all of you for giving me this 
opportunity to serve you. This year has marked my life forever, 
and I hope you feel that my service to you has been worthy. 
You're the best people in the world. [Applause.] You're the 
best people in the world. You're the volunteers; you're the 
people who make the DAV work, and I'm so proud of you and the 
DAV. [Rising applause.]
    Senior Vice-Commander Reed. I need to entertain a motion to 
accept the commander's report.
    [Motion made from the floor.]
    Senior Vice-Commander Reed. Do I have a second on the 
motion?
    [Motion seconded from the floor.]
    Senior Vice-Commander Reed. You've heard it. All those in 
favor, say Aye. Motion carried.
    [Whereupon, Commander McMasters resumed the chair.]
    Commander McMasters. Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me 
great pleasure to introduce our next very special guest. Bill 
Clinton was sworn in as the 42nd President of the United States 
on January 20th, 1993.
    Before being elected to the presidency, he served as 
governor of Arkansas for five terms, holding that position for 
longer than all but one of his predecessors. He also served as 
chairman of the Democratic Commission in 1990-91, the National 
Governors Association in 1987, the Education Commission of the 
States in 1986-87, and the Lower Mississippi Delta Development 
Commission in 1989-90.
    A fifth-generation Arkansan, President Clinton was born in 
Hope, Arkansas on August 19th, 1946. He received a bachelor's 
degree from Georgetown University in 1968 and a law degree from 
Yale University in 1973.
    President Clinton began his political career in 1974 with 
an unsuccessful campaign for Congress. Two years later, he was 
elected Attorney General of Arkansas, a post he held for a 
single term before being elected Governor in 1978. He lost a 
reelection bid in 1980, but was returned to office in 1982 and 
served until his election to the presidency in 1992.
    The President is married to Hillary Rodham Clinton, and 
they have a teenage daughter, Chelsea. [Applause] The President 
is an avid reader, enjoys golf and jogging, and plays the 
saxophone. [Applause.]
    And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed a great honor 
and a privilege to present the Honorable Bill Clinton, 
President of the United States. [Rising applause.]
    President William J. Clinton. Thank you. Thank you very 
much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you for the 
exuberant welcome. I want to thank the ladies of the Auxiliary 
for leading the applause for Hillary. That was a nice thing to 
do. [Applause.] Thank you very much. That was a very nice 
thing.
    I want to thank Commander McMasters for that introduction. 
It's been so long, I'd forgotten I'd done some of those things. 
[Laughter.] And he mentioned that I was a saxophone player. I 
think we have a Navy Band over there. I want to thank the Navy 
Band. Thank you for being here and for playing. [Applause.]
    I'll always laugh any time someone says I'm a saxophone 
player now because a couple of weeks ago, Colonel John 
Bourgeious, the commander of the United States Marine Band, the 
President's own, retired as one of the longest serving 
conductors of the Marine Band.
    And he did a television interview on national television in 
which he asked about my saxophone playing, and having sworn an 
oath to truth, he said that I was adequate. [Laughter.] And 
painfully I admit that that is about all he could say. And 
that's why I'm here today in this position rather than playing 
for you in your entertainment. [Laughter.]
    I'm delighted to be here with Commander McMasters; with 
your senior vice-commander, Gregory Reed; Barbara Hicks, your 
Auxiliary national commander; Art Wilson, your national 
adjutant; the other officers of your distinguished 
organization, and with all of you.
    I'm glad to be joined today by Secretary Jesse Brown. 
[Applause.] You know, the first time I realized that you would 
cheer like that--I love to kid Jesse, and I was kidding him on 
the way in, and I said, ``You think they give that kind of 
reaction because they love you so much or because they're glad 
I took you off of their hands?'' [Laughter.] I think it's the 
former, and I think you should.
    I'm also delighted to be joined today by a number of state 
officials from the State of Louisiana, and by Congressman Bill 
Jefferson and Congressman Cleo Fields. I thank them for coming. 
[Applause.]
    Ladies and gentlemen, as veterans who have given so much to 
defend our country, you know what it is personally to face an 
enemy. Today we have an enemy it is difficult to face, because 
the enemy is so often hidden, killing at random, surfacing only 
to perform cowardly acts. Their aim is to demoralize us as a 
people and to spread fear into everyday life. We must not let 
them do that. As Americans, we can and must join together to 
defeat terrorism wherever it strikes and whoever practices it. 
[Applause.]
    We all are outraged by what happened in the Centennial 
Olympic Park in Atlanta. And we all admire the athletes, the 
thousands of volunteers, the tens of thousands of fans who made 
a strong statement to the world yesterday when they showed up 
and carried on the Olympics, saying that they would not be 
intimidated by terrorism, and that no terrorist could kill the 
Olympic spirit. [Applause.]
    What we saw yesterday was a symbol of an emerging consensus 
among all responsible nations and freedom-loving people 
everywhere that we have to work closely together to stop the 
spread of terrorism. We know from the Tokyo Subway to the 
streets of Tel Aviv, to the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia where 
we lost 19 of our fine Air Force personnel, that terrorism is a 
problem that knows no boundaries.
    We have learned here so painfully in America, from the 
World Trade Center to Oklahoma City, that attacks from 
terrorists can be homegrown or can be generated in other lands. 
We know that nations are beginning to understand that there is 
no place that is safe when any place is vulnerable to 
terrorists.
    Not very long ago after the upsurge of terrorist attacks in 
Israel, we had a remarkable meeting of 29 nations at Sharm el-
Sheikh in Egypt where, for the first time, 13 Arab states 
condemned terrorism in Israel. It was the beginning of wisdom, 
because, as the Saudis have seen, there is no nation which can 
hide from terrorism unless we all recognize that the rules of 
civilized people do not permit it to be practices.
    The recent meeting of the G-7 nations in France produced a 
significant increase in international measures to cooperate 
against terrorism. And this week, following up on that, we will 
have a very important conference in Paris, France, involving 
those nations with high-level representatives to deal with the 
questions that terrorism presents us.
    Terrorists are often supported by states. And states that 
sponsor or permit terrorism, including Iraq, Iran, Libya and 
Sudan, and any others, must face strong sanctions. We all have 
to say we cannot live with this; it is wrong. People must seek 
to resolve their differences by ways other than killing 
innocent civilians. [Applause.]
    This year I signed into law an anti-terrorism act which 
made terrorism a federal offense, expanded the role of the FBI 
in solving these crimes, and imposed the death penalty for 
terrorism. As strong as the bill was, it did not give our law 
enforcement officials some of the powerful tools I had 
recommended, because they wanted and needed them, including 
increased wiretap authority for terrorists who are moving from 
place to place. Where they are flexible, so must we be. And 
chemical markets, often called taggets, for the most common 
explosives, black and smokeless powder, so that we can track 
down those who make bombs that kill innocent people.
    This morning I was very encouraged to hear the Speaker of 
the House, Mr. Gingrich, express a willingness to consider 
these tougher measures. I have asked the Speaker; Majority 
Leader, Senator Trent Lott; the leaders of the Democratic 
minority, Senator Daschle and Mr. Gephardt; and the FBI 
director, Louis Freeh, to come to the White House tomorrow to 
help to agree on a package that will provide these additional 
protections against terrorism and any other measures we need to 
take to increase the protection of the American people. 
[Applause.]
    We will continue to do whatever is necessary to give law 
enforcement the tools they need to find terrorists before they 
strike and to bring them swiftly to justice when they do. This 
week I announced new measures aimed at increasing airport 
security, increasing baggage searches and screening, to tighten 
passenger checks, to plan the deployment of the latest x-ray 
technologies.
    I said then and I will say again, I am well aware that 
these new security measures will increase inconvenience and may 
even carry a modest increased cost to the air-traveling public. 
But this inconvenience is a small price to pay for better peace 
of mind when our loved ones board a plane. These measures went 
into effect immediately.
    And so, my fellow Americans, we have opened up three fronts 
against terrorism. We're increasing international efforts to 
ensure that terrorists will have no place to plan or hide their 
operations. We're making use of expanded anti-terrorism powers 
at home, including the death penalty. And we are tightening 
airport security. We will continue to expand our efforts on all 
three fronts against terrorism.
    I want to remind you that we have had some results. We have 
seen a record number of terrorists captured and convicted. We 
have thwarted a number of planned terrorist attacks, including 
a serious one against the United Nations and one against the 
United States airlines flying out of the West Coast over the 
Pacific. We are keeping the heat on terrorist organizations and 
those who would support them.
    But I would remind you that every death is one death too 
many. As we have seen now over many, many years, from the 
struggles of our allies, as well as from those we have faced 
recently, that this is a long, hard fight. But if we work 
together, this is challenge we can and will meet. It may well 
be the most significant security challenge of the 21st century 
to the people of the United States and to civilized people 
everywhere. And the veterans of the United States, I know, will 
support our country being as strong and tough and smart and 
steadfast as it takes to get the job done. [Applause.]
    Now, let me continue by saying to you that when I ran for 
President, I promised the veterans of America I would appoint a 
true advocate as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. I found that 
person among your ranks. Jesse Brown honed his skills while 
serving as executive director of the DAV. He and his deputy, 
Hershel Gober, who is also here with me today, I believe, make 
up one of the finest leadership teams in the entire Federal 
Government. [Applause.]
    I can tell you this: Not only in public but in private, in 
every meeting on any subject, they are consistently committed 
to a better life for all veterans. And I thank them for their 
service. [Applause.]
    I'm also honored to join you in celebrating three-quarters 
of a century of service to your country. You are the best 
representatives of what I'd like to talk about today: the duty 
we owe to our veterans, the duty we owe to each other and to 
our children, the duty we owe to the rest of the world and to 
our future. We owe a duty to all of you, of course, not only 
for your bravery and sacrifice, but for all you continue to do 
for each other, your families and our country.
    Last year we celebrated the 50th anniversary of World War 
II. Many of you fought in that great struggle and put your 
lives on the line for freedom. Your country owes you a debt of 
gratitude we can never repay. Any I can honestly say one of the 
most humbling honors of my life was representing the United 
States at those ceremonies in 1994 and 1995.
    But I want to say again to you, to every American who 
served in World War II, including the Republican candidate for 
President, Senator Bob Dole: Thank you for your service, thank 
you for your sacrifice, thank you for your courage. We're still 
around because of you. [Applause.]
    And to all who have served since, in Korea and Vietnam, in 
the Persian Gulf, in Bosnia, in peacetime as well as wartime. 
America thanks you, too, and so do freedom-loving people all 
around the world.
    Our tradition of service, of course, extends beyond the 
battlefield. This is also the 50th anniversary of the VA 
Voluntary Service Programs' involvement of the DAV. Last year 
you donated more volunteer hours at VA hospitals around the 
country than any other organization. [Applause.]
    I want to congratulate your Volunteers of the Year, whom I 
had the privilege to meet just a moment ago, Tillman Rutledge 
and Dorothy Marie Waters. They are great examples of what you 
stand for. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause.]
    You have done your duty to America, and America must do its 
duty to you. Secretary Brown and I recognize a simple truth: 
When men and women leave the service, we must not leave them. 
In keeping our veterans' commitments, our commitments to our 
veterans, to help them make the most of their own lives does 
not only help veterans and their families, it's made America a 
better and stronger place.
    For education to employment, from buying a home to getting 
quality medical care, our veterans deserve our nation's 
support, and when we give it, our nation is better off. For the 
past three and a half years, that is what we have done.
    Even as we cut government spending to reduce the deficit 
and move toward a balanced budget, I have asked for a billion-
dollar increase in funding for the VA, more than half for 
medical care and discretionary programs, including funds for a 
new hospital and nursing home in Brevard County, Florida and a 
replacement hospital at Travis Air Force Base in California. 
[Applause.]
    We are committed to keeping the VA health care system 
strong into the 21st century, and we know that requires us to 
carry out a dramatic restructuring that will improve the 
quality of care and make our hospitals more patient-centered 
and less bureaucratic. Last year I sent to Congress legislation 
that will allow us to simplify the complex and arcane 
eligibility rules and improve access to care at VA hospitals. 
[Applause.] I am pleased that Congress is beginning to act on 
this important proposal, and I hope they will get a bill to me 
this year.
    Very soon we will submit legislation for a pilot project to 
allow Medicare-eligible veterans to obtain treatment at a VA 
facility and to have the costs reimbursed by Medicare. 
[Applause.]
    I also want to make special mention of the extraordinary 
care that is provided by our veterans facilities to people with 
spinal cord injuries, and my commitment to continue the work 
and research and care in this important area. Recently, after a 
visit with Christopher Reeve, I was pleased to announce that we 
are increasing our research commitment $10 million a year in 
this year.
    And I hope all of you noticed just a few days ago that we 
finally are beginning to show some incredible results, where 
nerve transplants from the ribs to the spinal cord of 
laboratory animals have succeeded in giving laboratory animals 
some mobility in their limbs again. We can do better on this, 
and we have to keep going until we have some real success. 
[Applause.]
    We have also reached out to veterans service organizations, 
appointing veterans as delegates to the White House Conference 
on Aging and the Presidential Delegation to Vietnam. We 
established the first ever inter-agency veterans policy groups 
to coordinate and spur progress on issues of concern to 
veterans and military organizations.
    One such issue for more than two decades has been the 
suffering of our nation's Vietnam veterans who were exposed to 
Agent Orange. [Applause.] In May, I announced that Vietnam 
veterans with prostate cancer and peripheral neuropathy are 
entitled to disability payments based on their exposure to 
Agent Orange. Just this week I sent to Congress legislation to 
provide an appropriate remedy for children of Vietnam veterans 
who suffer from spina bifida. [Applause.]
    We have also responded aggressively to Persian Gulf 
illnesses. [Applause.] As the First Lady was traveling around 
the country talking about health care to people all over 
America, she kept coming back to the White House with stories 
of people who had served in the Persian Gulf conflict who had 
difficulties that were otherwise inexplicable.
    She got very involved, even emotionally involved, with some 
of the families, and she kept hammering on me that there had to 
be an explanation for this, and there was no other conceivable 
explanation for some of these instances of difficulties.
    She encouraged me to appoint a Presidential Advisory 
Committee on Gulf War veterans illnesses. I did that and 
charged them to leave no stone unturned in finding the cause of 
the illnesses and improving care available to Persian Gulf 
veterans. Meanwhile, we have made available for the first time 
ever compensation to the victims of undiagnosed illnesses who 
served in the Gulf War. [Applause.] I think they did the right 
thing there.
    One other area of endeavor is especially important to me, 
improving the contributions of all of our veterans to the 
maintenance of their own lives and their families and our 
communities. Today, as we celebrate the sixth anniversary of 
the Americans with Disabilities Act, I want to reiterate a 
pledge I made in 1992. Our disability policy should be based as 
a nation on three simple principles: inclusion, independence 
and empowerment. [Applause.]
    I know how hard you fought, along with others in the 
disability community, for the passage of this important 
legislation. We've made vigorous laws protecting all people 
with disabilities a top priority. We'll continue to do so until 
all the barriers come down. Consistent with that commitment, my 
budget for 1997 proposes an increase in the resources available 
to enforce the Americans With Disabilities Act.
    One of the main objectives of the act is to improve 
employment possibilities for people with disabilities. 
Unemployment among disabled veterans in particular is still too 
high. I am pleased that Ron Drach, DAV's employment director, 
is serving as vice-chair of the President's Committee on 
Employment of People With Disabilities. I thank him for his 
hard work to turn those employment numbers around. And we 
should all be grateful that he is on the job. [Applause.]
    Beyond the duty we owe to our veterans, there are certain 
duties we all owe to each other and to our country if our 
children are to live in a 21st century that is full of peace 
and possibility. First, we have to give the American dream of 
opportunity to everyone who is willing to work for it. That 
means we have to have an economy that is strong and growing, 
that produces good jobs with growing incomes.
    When I became President, I was worried about the drift in 
our economy and the increasing divisions within it. We've put 
in place an aggressive strategy: To reduce the deficit, because 
that would get interest rates down and spur private investment, 
and remove a burden from future generations; to increase trade 
so that we could sell more American products and services 
around the world in a global economy; and to invest in our 
people and their potential so that everyone could participate 
in this global economy in a positive way over the long run.
    We invested in education, in how to protect the environment 
while growing the economy, in transportation, in research and 
technology, in defense conversion to help those communities 
that had helped us to win the Cold War so that they wouldn't be 
left out in the cold. We even lowered the average closing cost 
for first-time home buyers by a thousand dollars so young 
families could start getting in homes again instead of just 
having a distant dream. [Applause.]
    It's been a remarkable turnaround in these last three and a 
half years. The deficit was lowered from $290 billion a year 
when I became President. It will be $117 billion this year, a 
60 percent reduction. It's the first time since John Tyler was 
President in the 1840s that an administration has reduced the 
deficit four years in a row. And I'm proud of that. [Applause.]
    I have to tell you, by the way, that my staff is pleading 
with me to stop using that statistic because John Tyler was not 
reelected. [Laughter.] But still it sounds great, because it's 
true and it's important.
    Our economy has produced ten million new jobs, 3.7 million 
new home owners, eight million home owners who've refinanced 
their mortgages at lower interest rates. Home ownership is at a 
15-year high. Exports are at a record. For three years in a 
row, we've had a record number of new small businesses formed 
in America. And for the first time in a decade, incomes are 
actually going up for average American working people again. 
This is important. It matters. [Applause.]
    Veterans' employment. Veterans' unemployment has dropped by 
nearly a third from 7.2 percent to 4.9 percent in January of 
1996. Six million veterans have received training and job 
search assistance through the Department of Labor in the last 
three and a half years. Two million now have jobs. We are 
clearly moving in the right direction.
    We have other responsibilities as well. I want to just 
mention a couple. One is heavily on my mind at this moment. We 
have a responsibility to make our streets and our schools and 
our neighborhoods safer. The United States cannot tolerate the 
rates of crime and violence which have come to be almost 
commonplace in our country in the last several years. We have 
to intensify our efforts to reduce crime.
    The deaths of two police officers within a 24-hour period 
right here in New Orleans last week painfully drove that point 
home to everyone who knew about them. I had the opportunity to 
meet with their families just before coming in here, and I want 
to personally offer my condolences to the families of Officers 
Joey Thomas and Chris McCormick, who died while protecting the 
citizens of this city. They, too, were patriots who paid the 
ultimate price. And I know you join me in praying for their 
families. [Applause.]
    In the past three and a half years, we have tried to change 
the nation's approach to crime from rhetoric to action. We've 
had a clear strategy: Look at what works and make it happen 
everywhere. When I became President, to be perfectly frank, 
even though we had a high crime rate, there were cities all 
over the country that had already begun to lower their crime 
rate. And I went to those places and asked them how they were 
doing it.
    It was obvious to me what was going on. They were putting 
more police on the street, out from behind the cars, out from 
behind the desk, walking the streets, getting to know kids, 
getting to know neighbors, working with them, preventing crime 
as well as catching criminals more quickly.
    I asked them what they needed, and they told me, and that 
became the Crime Bill that we passed in 1994: 100,000 police on 
the street, a ban on assault weapons, tougher punishment for 
people who are serious criminals, and prevention programs to 
help kids stay out of crime in the first place. We also passed 
the Brady Bill that kept 60,000 felons, fugitives and stalkers 
from buying handguns, and there wasn't a single hunter that 
lost his or her hunting weapons. So we did the right thing, and 
for four years in a row, crime has been coming down in the 
United States. We can be proud of that. [Applause.]
    But it is not enough. We're now going around the country 
trying to explain to communities how they can, without fear of 
legal challenge, institute curfew policies, as New Orleans has, 
for juveniles in a way that has dramatically lowered the 
juvenile crime rate here, and in a positive way has helped a 
lot of juveniles to sort through their own problems and get 
back on the right track in life.
    School uniform policies and tough truancy policies, like so 
many California communities I've seen have implemented in a way 
that has increased learning in the schools and diminished crime 
beyond the school yard. There are more things we can do in this 
way and we must all continue to do it. [Applause.]
    We have a responsibility to reform the welfare system. I'm 
sure you've all seen the big debate about welfare in 
Washington. Let me just say that we have been working for three 
and a half years on that through a provision of existing law 
which allows the President to say to any state in the country 
that presents a plan to move people from welfare to work and to 
require them to move from welfare to work, you can get around 
all the federal rules and regulations if you're doing that.
    But let me ask you as you see this debate unfold in the 
next few days, to think about your own family and ask yourself, 
well, what do I really want to change in the welfare system? 
And I think to answer the question, you have to say, what do I 
want for poor people in America? How would I like for them to 
be able to live?
    And I think what we want for them is what we want for 
middle-class families and, indeed, for upper-income families in 
America. We want people to have strong families and successful 
work lives. We want them to succeed when they go to work and 
when they're working at raising their children. And we don't 
want them to have to choose; we want them to do both. And 
that's exactly what we want other families in America to do as 
well: Success at home and success at work. And if we have a 
system that undermines either one, America is weaker because of 
it.
    So we have worked hard. We've got 75 percent of everybody 
on welfare now under welfare-to-work experiments in a way that 
enables them to continue to support their children when they 
leave the welfare rolls and go onto the work rolls. And that's 
what we ought to want for every American. There are 1.3 million 
fewer people on welfare today than there were the day I became 
President. This will work. We can move people from welfare to 
work if we do it in the right way. [Applause.]
    The other big part of this is that people who owe it ought 
to pay their child support. [Applause.] When I became 
President, we were collecting $8 billion a year in child year. 
Now we're collecting 11 billion, a 40 percent increase. But you 
need to know that if every person in this country who owes 
support for their own children, is legally obligated to pay it 
and is financially able to pay it, if they paid it all 
tomorrow, tomorrow morning there would be 800,000 fewer women 
and children on welfare in the Untied States. So that's a big 
part of this and a big part of why we need national legislation 
to reform the welfare laws. [Applause.]
    So we're working hard with the Congress to try to get a 
welfare reform bill out so we can cover all the states, all the 
people and have even tougher child support enforcement, 
especially for the cases across state lines. But remember, when 
you hear this debate and you hear people propose certain 
things, ask yourself, what do I want for those families? And 
don't I want for them the same thing I want for the families in 
my neighborhood and the families of America, success at home 
and success at work? And I think if we think about it that way, 
we'll make the right decisions.
    Finally, let me say we have a responsibility to finish the 
work of balancing the budget, but to do it in a way that is 
consistent with our values and our long-term interests, which 
is, in my view, taking care of the health care needs of 
seniors, people with disabilities, poor children, making sure 
that we continue to invest in education and protecting the 
environment and other things that are critical to our future, 
making sure we do not increase the burdens on the hardest 
pressed working families. But we can do that, and I am 
committed to it.
    And lastly, we have a responsibility to maintain the 
national defense and to continue to be the world's strongest 
force for peace and freedom. [Applause.]
    As we enter the--near the end of the most successful draw-
down in our history, our military readiness has never been 
higher, we continue to have the best equipped, the best 
trained, the best prepared military in the world. And we must 
always have that. Whether we're standing down aggression in the 
Persian Gulf, restoring democracy in Haiti, safeguarding the 
peace in Bosnia, saving lives in Rwanda, working with NATO and 
our new allies from the former communist bloc in the 
Partnership for Peace, our service men and women have proven 
their abilities time and time again in the last three and a 
half years.
    Our funding and support for them must not falter, first for 
military technology to meet any new challenges now or in the 
future, and, even more important, to support the men and women 
in uniform, for they are the most precious resource in our 
military arsenal, and we have to be there for them. [Applause.]
    Last year we set aside funds to ensure that military 
personnel received the highest pay raise allowed by law through 
the end of the century. We are committed to maintain and 
improve the quality of life for service members and their 
families around the globe, including better housing, community 
support, youth programs and child care. They, too, have a right 
to know that if they're succeeding for us at their work, their 
homes are going to be successful, and their children and their 
spouses are going to be taken care of. And that is a very, very 
important part of defense spending in this world. [Applause.]
    There are a lot of things that we have to do for the 
future. We're working in Washington now to raise the minimum 
wage; to pass the Kassebaum-Kennedy bill which will say you 
don't lose your health insurance if you change jobs or someone 
in your family gets sick. We're working hard on welfare reform.
    I hope that we can strengthen the Family and Medical Leave 
Law, which has permitted 12 million working Americans to take 
some time off when they've had a baby born or sick parent 
without losing their jobs. And I'd like to see more done so 
that people could go to regular doctor's appointments with 
their parents or their kids, or got to a parent-teacher 
conference at school without losing their jobs. We've got to 
make it possible for working parents to succeed at work at home 
with their children and with their parents. [Applause.]
    I want to make a college education available to every 
person in this country who's willing to work for it. I think we 
ought to--the most important tax cut we could pass in America 
today is to give people a deduction for the cost of college 
education, their own or their kids. [Applause.] And I would 
like to see, I would very much like to see us make the two 
years of education after high school that most Americans now 
get in community college, I want that to become just as 
universal in the next couple of years as a high school 
education is today. So I propose a tax credit for the cost of 
community college for the next two years after high school. 
[Applause.] That'd be a good thing to do.
    And finally, let me just mention this last duty. We have a 
duty to respect our differences and to learn to bridge the gaps 
between us. If you look around the world today, what's fueling 
a lot of this terrorism? What caused all the slaughter in 
Burundi and Rwanda? Why did people who lived for decades in 
peace in Bosnia all of a sudden become the sort of nagging 
agony of the entire world, slaughtering each other with 
reckless abandon after having lived in peace together for 
decades, neighbor against neighbor, killing each other?
    Why can't we fix what's gone wrong in the Middle East? Why 
did Northern Ireland start violence again after 15 months of 
peace when they've got the lowest unemployment rate in 15 
years? And when Hillary and I went there, we were mobbed by 
Catholic and Irish young people alike saying, ``We love peace. 
We don't want to go back to war.'' What happened?
    Because throughout history there has been an atrocious 
tendency among human beings to give in to racial, ethnic, 
religious and tribal hatred. [Applause.] And as your generation 
helped to ensure victory for us in the Cold War, so that 
billions of people every day didn't have to get up wondering 
about whether someone was going to drop a bomb on them from the 
communist or the noncommunist world, depending on what side of 
that Cold War they lived on, and people were able to relax, too 
many have fallen back into the old patterns of racial, 
religious, ethnic and tribal hatreds.
    Why do people hate other people who are different from 
them? Either because they think they won't permit them to live 
as they want to live or, more likely, they really need somebody 
to look down on.
    Your know, I guess nobody has a perfect family, but I'll go 
to my grave being grateful for my mother telling me, ``Don't 
your ever, don't you ever feel better because of somebody 
else's misfortune. You should feel better because of what you 
are and what you do. Don't ever think you've got to put 
somebody else down because of that.'' [Applause.]
    But all over the world there are people that will get up 
tomorrow morning and start out the new week defining themselves 
in terms of who they can hate, who they can look down on, who 
they can hurt. And it is a cancer of the modern world. We fight 
it on its most flagrant basis when we stand against terrorism. 
But we have to also recommit ourselves to purging every vestige 
of it in the United States.
    The United States military has done a better job than any 
other organization in our society, I believe, in opening up 
opportunities for people based on merit: 250,000 new roles for 
women in the last three and a half years in the military. I'm 
proud of that. [Applause.]
    We not only have in General Powell an African American who 
became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, we have a record number of 
officers now reaching the ``general'' rank who are African 
American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Arab American, 
Jewish American, coming from all kinds of backgrounds, in an 
organization that runs strictly on merit and depends upon 
performance for our very survival.
    And yet even there, the other day at Fort Bragg, one of the 
centers of our patriotism, the home of the Special Forces, 
African American soldiers had swastikas painted on their doors. 
We have to work to purge this.
    All of these church burnings--I just learned that over the 
weekend, a church in my home state was burned--African American 
churches, synagogues defaced, three Islamic centers burned. 
That is the opposite of what America is all about.
    When Hillary and I visited our Olympic team and I looked at 
them, I can't help telling you, first of all, I was just 
bursting with pride, and I told them. I said, ``You know, just 
the fact that you made this team should give you great pride 
and great joy. And you should go out among the people of the 
world here and relish the spirit of peace and freedom and 
equality that exists here.''
    And it was a magical moment. One of the young people said 
that they'd been to lunch the day before, and the athletes from 
South Korea and North Korea were sitting at tables next to each 
other and talking. And I though, shoot, I've been trying for 
three and a half years to get them to talk, and I couldn't do 
it. [Laughter and applause.] It was a magic moment. I couldn't 
do it. [Applause.]
    But what struck me about the American team was this: If the 
American team broke up and were just walking in the Olympic 
Village, you could see them and think, well, that athlete is 
from Africa; that athlete's from Latin American; that athlete's 
from the Caribbean; that athlete's from Scandinavia; that 
athlete's from the Middle East. But they could all be 
Americans, because we are bound together, not by our race, but 
by our fidelity to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the 
Declaration of Independence, and our belief that we can all 
live here in peace and harmony and mutual respect.
    So I leave you with that thought. If we meet our 
responsibilities to each other and to our children and to our 
future, our responsibilities to the world, and if we meet our 
fundamental responsibility to go forward together in mutual 
respect, then our days are going to get better, and our best 
days are still to come.
    You can have an enormous influence wherever you live and 
whatever you do because of your service to America in uniform 
and because of the sacrifice of that service, if you will 
remind your fellow Americans of those fundamental lessons.
    Thank you and God bless you. [Rising applause.]
    Commander McMasters. Thank you, Mr. President, for being 
part of our convention.
    We are indeed honored to have with us today our nation's 
Number 1 veterans' advocate. Shortly after he assumed this high 
office, Jesse Brown served notice that he would be Secretary 
for Veterans Affairs, not Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
    Those of use who know him, who are aware of his track 
record as an advocate with the DAV, know Jesse's self-
designated title change signaled a new beginning, a new 
beginning that made the Department of Veterans Affairs 
accountable to its constituency, as captured in the new VA 
motto, ``Putting Veterans First''; a new beginning for 
improving VA health care, and a new beginning that saw a 
genuine and caring concern for our women and homeless veterans; 
a new beginning that pushed to the forefront the needs of our 
Persian Gulf veterans and former POWs, and broadened benefits 
criteria for Vietnam veterans ravaged by Agent Orange.
    It is a long road from the streets of Chicago, through the 
jungles of Vietnam to the halls of the White House and a seat 
at the Cabinet Room table. Jesse Brown has walked that road 
with one thing in mind: Serving the country he dearly loves.
    The path of innovative change that Jesse Brown chose to 
walk for all of us has been littered with opposition. Jesse 
Brown has met these challenges with vigor and determination. 
For that, we are in his debt, and we will walk proudly with him 
as we join in confronting challenges on the horizon.
    Jesse is an incredible man. In one person he combines not 
only the most knowledgeable person ever to head the VA, but the 
most compassionate as well. He is a man of great spirit, great 
courage and great strength.
    The Marines looked for a good man in Jesse Brown. America 
found a great man.
    Please extend a warm welcome to the Honorable Jesse Brown, 
the Secretary for Veterans Affairs. [Rising applause.]
    Secretary for Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown. Thank you. 
thank you very much, Commander, for that very kind and warm 
reception. I'm delighted to be here and to see my good friend, 
National Adjutant Wilson; our National Auxiliary Commander 
Hicks; our National Auxiliary Adjutant Tedrow; my good friend, 
Jack Feighner; distinguished guests; my fellow DAV members; 
ladies and gentlemen: I want you to know that again, I am 
really delighted to be here, and it is clear that I have a hard 
act to follow. [Laughter.]
    But I can tell you--you know, they cut my travel. They got 
so mad at me there in Washington, D.C., because I've been 
running around the country telling the veterans what they were 
doing to them. But they cut my travel, but they don't know that 
I'm really glad to be out of Washington, D.C. [Laughter and 
applause.]
    You know, it's like a soap opera there. Those new 
politicians came to Washington thinking they were the ``Bold 
and the Beautiful.'' [Laughter.] And they are trying to turn 
this country into ``Another World.'' [Laughter.] But in the 
eyes of America, they look more like ``The Young and the 
Restless.'' [Laughter and applause.] Because we know that if 
they have their way, ``All My Children'' could be thrown out of 
the ``General Hospital.'' [Laughter.] We just cannot allow them 
to interfere with the ``Days of Our Lives.'' [Laughter.] But 
I'm here to tell you today that I've seen ``The Guiding 
Light.'' [Laughter.] And if they do not change their ways by 
November, they just have ``One Life to Live.'' [Laughter and 
Applause.]
    Hey, please don't tell them I said that. They'll take the 
other 25 percent away from me. [Laughter.]
    It's really kind of funny, but unfortunately it is true. 
They have turned the civil tides of politics to an atmosphere 
of hostility, and that is why we in the Veterans community must 
remain focused on the men and women who have borne the battle.
    1996 is the year of the Olympics. The world is focused on 
the men and women overcoming challenges. The athletes are 
competing at the top of their form. And all of them are working 
hard, very hard, to get the gold. When the record books are 
closed, all athletes want to know that they have done their 
very best.
    These past three and a half years seem like a marathon to 
me. I have run the best race that I know how, and it has not 
been easy. I have put my heart and soul into what I believe is 
right for veterans and their families.
    When I became your Secretary for Veterans Affairs, I had a 
vision for change. The first step was to create an atmosphere 
where putting veterans first was our Number 1 priority. Putting 
veterans first became more than a slogan; it became our 
mission.
    The system is not perfect. No system is. The race is not 
over, and we are still running hard. But veterans know that VA 
is more responsive to their needs than four years ago. And it 
is also no secret that historically veterans' organizations 
felt that they were outsiders. When I accepted this job, that 
was one of the first things that I changed.
    Today, veterans and VA are partners. We make decisions 
together. During this administration, veterans have had a 
greater access to the VA and the White House, and it is making 
a difference.
    In 1993, we inherited a huge backlog of claims, and it was 
getting worse. But we turned that around. The waiting time is 
down and getting better. That is putting veterans first.
    The veterans we serve are getting older. Their health care 
needs are changing, and we are changing the way we deliver 
health care. We are creating more places for veterans to 
receive medical attention. We have reorganized our hospitals, 
clinics and nursing homes into 22 integrated networks. We're 
shifting our focus from in-patient to outpatient care. We have 
taken advantage of the economies of scale in may areas, such as 
pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.
    And yes, we have sent Congress a plan for national 
eligibility reform. We need to get away from those old laws 
that prevent VA from providing full, comprehensive health care 
to our veterans. Veterans need a health care system that 
provides them with everything that they need in order to stay 
healthy, and anything less is unacceptable.
    Our progress has not come easy. The past two years have 
been difficult. But we have survived. We have survived the 
challenge to end compensation to some incompetent veterans and 
two government shutdowns which delayed compensation and pension 
payments.
    At the same time, we have made important advances on issues 
that are important to us, issues such as improving health care; 
Agent Orange; post-traumatic stress disorder; Persian Gulf 
illness; improving services for women veterans; POWs; helping 
homeless veterans; and burying our veterans with dignity.
    These are examples of what we can do if we work together. 
And yet I do not believe for one moment that we can let our 
guard down, because the threat to veterans' benefits will not 
go away. There will always be those who want veterans to share 
the pain of shrinking the costs of government.
    But we must say to them loud and clear: Don't talk to 
veterans about sharing pain. We're no longer the young men and 
women we used to be. But we know pain very well: In World War 
II, 400,000 dead, 700,000 wounded; Korea, 54,000 dead, 100,000 
wounded; Vietnam, 58,000 dead, over 300,000 wounded; and those 
brave warriors who died in Saudi Arabia, victims of a cowardly 
act. That is pain. Pain mingled with the wounded cries and the 
silence of the dead. And that is why we will never, never give 
up.
    We in the veterans community show honor for our dead by 
responding to the needs of the living. Because, for the living, 
the cost of war continues after the guns fall silent. That is 
putting veterans first, and that is what the VA is all about.
    It should be about change, change that responds to the 
needs of veterans and their families. But we cannot support and 
will not support the unreasonable changes that have been 
considered there in Washington, D.C., changes like taxing 
compensation and pensions; terminating compensation for 
veterans rated 10 and 20 percent disabled; means testing 
service-connected disabliblity compensation; and redefining 
service connection.
    And what stopped those attacks on our benefits from 
becoming law? Veterans, their families and our friends in 
Congress.
    And what about the future? The President has promised to 
make sure that the nation honors its commitment to veterans. He 
promised to negotiate the budget for veterans every year, and 
he's done that. This year, President Clinton recommended a 
billion-dollar increase in discretionary spending for the VA, 
but Congress cut it by $915 million. And I say to you that we 
needed that money for our hospitals.
    And, as I have already said, Congress cut my travel money 
by 75 percent. That was an obvious attempt to keep me from 
speaking out against unfair cuts to veterans' programs. But the 
voice of veterans must be heard. This is not about Jesse Brown; 
this is about the voice of the veterans' community and their 
families. And that is the reason why I'm here. I'm here where I 
belong. I will not be shackled in Washington, D.C. And I pledge 
to you that I will continue to speak out. [Applause.]
    Now, the President has submitted his budget for 1997. It 
includes a billion-dollar increase over what Congress approved 
for 1996. It provides nearly $600 million more for health care 
and other discretionary spending; $400 million more for 
benefits; and funding for badly needed hospitals in California 
and Florida. This is a good budget, and I hope Congress is kind 
to us this year.
    But, my friends, that may not be the case. The President 
requested $439 million for medical construction. It was cut by 
$71 million. This means that we could not build the hospitals 
that we needed in Florida and California. But more importantly 
than that, this would deny reasonable access of care to over 
700,000 veterans. And also, it would not permit us to move 
forward on our plans to upgrade VA hospitals that are 40 to 100 
years old.
    And they have taken away $26 million from BVA. This will 
increase our claims backlog and greatly reduce our ability to 
improve the quality and timeliness of services to veterans and 
their families.
    As you can see, the race is not over. We need to get back 
to the three R's, and I'm not talking about ``reading, 'writing 
and 'rithmetic.'' I'm talking about recognizing, respecting and 
remembering the needs of America's veterans. [Applause.]
    Military service should not be rewarded with a bitter 
taste, a bitter taste served in the cup of champions. And in my 
view, and I believe in the view of the eyes of the world, that 
our veterans are champions. They are champions for democracy, 
champions for freedom.
    And that is why it is so important for your work to 
continue. You must continue to carry the torch for all 
generations to come. You must push on to the next runner.
    We cannot fail our veterans because we have a special bond 
with them. Many people will never understand that bond, but it 
is a bond forged in our common experience, tempered by hardship 
and pain, and moved forward by courage and determination.
    I would like to leave you with a true story that eloquently 
describes this courage and determination. A few years ago, 17-
year-old Michael Stone was competing as a pole vaulter in the 
National Junior Olympics. The competition was fierce. By the 
finals, another pole vaulter had cleared the bar one foot 
higher than Michael had ever done. Michael tried anyway, and he 
cleared the bar.
    It was raised two more inches. Excitement built as both 
athletes cleared the bar again. Then they moved the bar up two 
more inches, one inch below the national record. The crowd went 
wild when both athletes made it. Finally, the bar was set at 17 
feet, six and a half inches. This height would set a new 
national record.
    The other jumper went first. Michael could not watch. The 
sound from the crowd told the story. The other jumper did not 
make it. And Michael lined up for his final try. His heart was 
pounding. The height was an unbelievable 18 and a half inches 
higher than his previous record.
    And there was complete silence, much as there is here 
today. He sprinted toward the approach and vaulted into the 
air, and the crowd went wild, and he knew that he had made it. 
The new champion did not look up to see if the bar was still 
standing. He did not look to the bleachers to see his mother 
and father crying. For you see, Michael Stone is totally blind.
    Now, that is a moving story, because it means something to 
us in the Disabled American Veterans, a tremendous story, 
because Michael had courage and determination.
    For veterans, the competition is not over, and like 
Michael, we cannot see all of the obstacles ahead. But like 
him, veterans have courage and determination to keep the 
promise to those who ran the good race before us, and keep that 
promise we shall.
    I love all of you, and thank you so very, very much. 
[Rising applause.]
    Commander McMasters. Thank you, Mr. Secretary.
    I would not like to introduce your line officers, and I 
would ask that you hold your applause until I've introduced all 
of them. National Senior Vice-Commander Gregory C. Reed from 
Indiana; 1st Junior Vice-Commander Harry R. McDonald, Jr. from 
Florida; 2nd Junior Vice-Commander William D. Wiggins of 
Virginia; 3rd Junior Vice-Commander Andrew A. Kistler of 
Pennsylvania; 4th Junior Vice-Commander Michael E. Dobmeier of 
North Dakota; National Judge Advocate Edward G. Galian of New 
York; National Chaplain Reverend Oscar I. Wilkie of Oklahoma; 
and Past National Commander Donald A. Sioss of New York. 
[Applause.]
    At this time, I'm going to introduce the National Executive 
Committee people. From the 1st District, Everett J. Nygard, Jr. 
of Massachusetts; George R. LePorte of New York from 2nd 
District; 3rd District, David A. Schiapo of Rhode Island; 4th 
District, Albert R. Fanslau of New Jersey; 5th District, Donald 
C. Graffius of Pennsylvania; 6th District, Carl J. Carter of 
Washington, D.C.; 7th District, Tommy R. Simms of Florida; 8th 
District, John A. Bell of Mississippi; 9th District, Ronald L. 
Voegeli of South Carolina; my district, the 10th District, 
Lowell G. McKeehan from Michigan; the 11th District, Nicholas 
J. Border of Ohio; 12th District, Dorothy R. Schilling of 
Wisconsin; the 13the District, Glen E. Vogel. Sr. of Indiana; 
14th District, Victor C. Hass of North Dakota; 15th District, 
Francis E. McLaskey of Iowa; 16th District, Charles H. Demele 
of California; 17th District, Stanley L. Miller of New Mexico; 
18th District, Edwin K. Wise of Hawaii; 19th District, Fred G. 
Rupert of Alaska; 20th District, Earl Dean Walker of Texas; and 
from the 21st District, Adrian H. Hunt of Arkansas. That's our 
National Executive Committee. [Applause.]
    I'd also like to recognize a person who's been of great 
assistance to me this year, my National Chief of Staff, Leo J. 
LeRoux of Michigan, who had to leave because of his mother-in-
law's passing. Also, my Officer of the Day from Michigan, 
Margherita Dupras; and my Sergeant-at-Arms, Clyde Couch of 
Texas.
    And last, I want to express my sincere thanks to National 
Historian Jack Feighner of Ohio, to whom we owe a deep sense of 
gratitude. [Applause.]
    It is now my pleasure and privilege to call to the podium a 
woman I am proud to know and even prouder to call my friend. 
Barb Hicks has led the Auxiliary with devoted leadership and 
love and warmth during the past year.
    Barb has worked ceaselessly and diligently to lead the 
Auxiliary in helping the families of disabled veterans who 
sacrificed so much for their country. Wherever I journeyed 
during my time as national commander, I found Auxiliary members 
working alongside DAV members in our struggle to protect 
benefits and serves for disabled veterans and their families.
    Barb has been a strong and compassionate voice on the 
behalf of families of disabled veterans. She has stood proudly 
on many occasions to represent the DAV and the Auxiliary. Andy 
from the joint hearing of the House and Senate Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs to the commemorative events surrounding the 
50th anniversary of V-J Day in Hawaii, she has personified the 
strength and solidarity that we admire and respect in the DAV 
Auxiliary.
    Barb's deep awareness of the issues facing disabled 
veterans and their families is punctuated by 33 years of 
service as an Auxiliary member. Her dedication is without 
question, and her determination without equal.
    Please join me in welcoming an admirable woman, an 
exceptional leader, and a devoted friend, my counterpart in the 
Auxiliary, Auxiliary National Commander Barb Hicks. [Rising 
applause.]
    Auxiliary Commander Barbara L. Hick. Thank you, Commander 
Tom, for your very kind introduction. I'm indeed honored to be 
here to share this historic convention.
    Before I deliver my report to our members gathered here 
today, I want to personally and on behalf of the entire 
Auxiliary, honor a man whose devotion and leadership epitomizes 
all the DAV and Auxiliary stand for. It is my privilege to have 
met and served with Tom McMasters. It has been a true joy to 
know his wife, Sandi, and their lonely children.
    Our Auxiliary has had the great good fortune of having a 
DAV national commander who enthusiastically praised, welcomed 
and sought our service to disabled veterans and their families. 
He took every opportunity to show love, respect and 
appreciation for the Auxiliary, and we are forever grateful for 
his comradeship.
    Commander Tom, I am pleased to present this plaque to you, 
thanking you for making the Auxiliary such an important part of 
the DAV. It reads:

          Presented to Thomas A. McMasters, III, National Commander, in 
        appreciation for distinguished service given to Disabled 
        American Veterans Auxiliary, 1995-1996.

    Signed by National Adjutant Maria M. Tedrow and National 
Commander Barbara L. Hicks. [Applause.]
    On behalf of myself and all Auxiliary members, thank you 
for sharing your year with us.
    National Commander McMasters, National Adjutants Art Wilson 
and Maria Tedrow, convention delegates, honored quests, 
families and friends: It has been an honor to serve as your 
Auxiliary national commander. I am bursting with pride and 
enthusiasm at the accomplishments of the Auxiliary during the 
past year. I'm tremendously proud to report the Auxiliary met 
and it exceeded membership quota this year. [Applause.]
    As I look around the room, I see familiar faces and new 
faces. I see determination and hope, compassion and strength, 
and concern and love. I see the DAV and Auxiliary at their 
best.
    As Auxiliary members, we share the experience of a loved 
one disabled in service to this nation. You, the disabled 
veterans in our lives are constant reminders of blood spilled, 
bodies maimed and minds scarred in defense of this country. We 
are the ones who share your lives. We are your wives, mothers, 
sisters, daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters.
    We are the Auxiliary. We stand beside the DAV in the battle 
to build better lives for our disabled veterans and their 
families. Our Auxiliary is there in spirit and force 
representing disabled veterans, their families, widows and 
orphans before all branches of government, from the White House 
to the courthouse.
    From the 1996 Midwinter Conference in Washington, DC to the 
snow-covered slopes of Crested Butte, Colorado at the 10th 
National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, the Auxiliary 
was there with the DAV. When I saw determination turn into 
jubilation on the faces of the men and women attending the 
Winter Sports Clinic, my heart soared. It is something I 
believe every Auxiliary commander should experience.
    The Auxiliary has come a long way since our founders 
established the DAV Auxiliary in 1922. But we have never 
wavered from our common goal of helping the families of 
veterans who sacrificed so much for our country in wars and 
conflicts throughout the world.
    The women who built our Auxiliary were true champions who 
left a legacy of service and love to one and all gathered here 
today. They were the leaders and mentors always there to guide 
us and help us grow in this great organization.
    Sadly, most of our early leaders are gone now. Death and 
the frailty of age have claimed them, but their spirit lives on 
in each of us and in our Auxiliary. We pursue their legacy as 
we face the challenging mission of ensuring that America 
remembers her disabled veterans.
    The spirit of our founders was present at the Auxiliary 
Fall Conference in Dayton, Ohio last year. Members attending 
the conference had the opportunity to learn from the expertise 
of others and share their experience. It was exciting to see 
experienced Auxiliary leaders training the next generation of 
Auxiliary leaders. It was a fun and rewarding opportunity for 
all who attended.
    I encourage all Auxiliary members to attend this year's 
exciting three-day event in Louisville, Kentucky. The 1996 Fall 
Conference will be held at the beautiful Galt House East in 
Louisville, September 26th through September 28th. Be sure to 
bring your husbands, too. Those who attended last year had a 
good time and learned a lot about our Auxiliary.
    At the Fall Conference, Auxiliary members learn that it is 
up to the DAV and Auxiliary to see to it that those who seem 
bent on destroying our country's commitment to our disabled 
loved ones, and, yes, our families in the process, are stopped.
    Every time our government considers measures that endanger 
the benefits, services and programs our families need and 
depend on, we must convince them otherwise. Working alongside 
DAV members, Auxiliary members shoulder the task of making sure 
our elected officials understand that disabled veterans and 
their families, our families, deserve only the best treatment a 
grateful nation can provide.
    Regardless of how many letters and telegrams we must send, 
or how many phone calls we must make to our elected leaders to 
turn the tide, the Auxiliary stands at the forefront of battle 
with the DAV to protect the benefits disabled veterans have 
earned for themselves and our families.
    We are not misled by the rhetoric of those so-called 
leaders. They speak of balancing the budget through shared 
sacrifices, while the VA's ability to provide timely, effective 
and compassionate benefits and services deteriorates. Some 
refer to veterans' programs as scared cows, yet veterans are 
dying waiting for help, because the VA is underfunded and 
insufficiently staffed.
    What do these so-called leaders really know of shared 
sacrifice? Have they been awakened by a disabled loved one's 
nightmares? Have they watched the hurt in a father's eyes when 
he is unable to toss a baseball with his son because he lost an 
arm to an enemy's bullet? Have they lugged a wheelchair in and 
out of the trunk of a car time and time again for a son who 
lost his legs to an enemy mine in Vietnam? Have they watched 
tears roll down the face of a grandfather blinded in World War 
II as his fingers trace the outlines of his grandson's face?
    After uttering those words at a recent department 
convention, a young man came up to me and thanked me. He was 
profoundly moved because his grandfather was blinded in World 
War II. That young man had never experienced war. He was not 
disabled. But he understood the pain and suffering that all of 
us gathered here know.
    We live with the pain and suffering every day. We watch as 
the lives of our disabled loved ones are cut short due to their 
disabilities. Look around you, and you will quickly see that 
the number of widows among us grows us each year. These women 
need our support and compassion during their time of grief.
    Many also need additional financial support. Thanks to the 
generosity of the Auxiliary state departments and units 
nationwide, we are able to provide the financial support to our 
Auxiliary members through the Auxiliary Service/Support 
Program. It is a program that exists thanks to Auxiliary 
members. Auxiliary and DAV members give generously to the 
Auxiliary Service/Support Program to provide assistance to 
women just like you who have fallen on hard times.
    The generosity we put into this program makes a crucial 
difference in the lives of Auxiliary members. It helps put food 
on the table for a woman and her children and pays the utility 
bill for a widow with no one to turn to. It helps when a woman 
most needs our help.
    The Auxiliary triumphs over challenge throughout the year. 
One has but to look at the array of projects and services 
Auxiliary members are involved in every day to see the 
monumental impact members have on the lives of our disabled 
loved ones, our families and communities.
    Auxiliary members join DAV members to donate millions of 
hours of volunteer service to patients at VA medical centers, 
nursing homes, clinics, domiciliaries every year. Where there's 
a Voluntary Service Program you'll find Auxiliary members 
striving to help.
    Helping veterans' widows and children, homeless veterans 
and older veterans extends far beyond the confines of VA 
facilities and into our communities. From delivering hot meals 
to providing respite care, Auxiliary members work to help 
disabled veterans and their families, in communities 
nationwide.
    The combined strength of every woman who makes it her 
business to be a member of the DAV Auxiliary makes the good 
works of the Auxiliary possible.
    Yet, it has been a great year. We are proud of the 
partnership between the Auxiliary and the Disabled American 
Veterans, and I can assure you it has grown stronger over the 
past year. With leaders like Commander Tom who encourage our 
partnership, I have no doubt we will grow even stronger in the 
years to come.
    Thank you very much and God bless. [Rising applause.]
    Thank you. I, too, would like to introduce my line 
officers. Senior Vice-Commander Margaret Hass; 1st Junior Vice-
Commander Evelynne Dunn; 2nd Junior Vice-Commander Evelyn 
Dorsey; 3rd Junior Vice-Commander Paula Raymond; 4th Junior 
Vice-Commander Phyllis Novak; National Judge Advocate Past 
National Commander Sheila Allred; National Chaplain Carol Gray; 
Past National Commander Jane Troutman; National Adjutant Past 
National Commander Maria Tedrow; Assistant National Adjutant 
Judy Hezlep; our National Convention Chairman Elaine Majors. 
[Applause.]
    And I would like to introduce my National Executive 
Committeewomen, and would you please hold your applause until I 
have introduced them. District 1, Jackie Fossiano, 
Massachusetts; District 2, Betty Nelson, New York; District 3, 
Grace Boland, Rhode Island; District 4, Arline Phillips, 
Delaware; District 5, E. Jimi Hayes, Pennsylvania; the 
alternate NEC, District 6, Mildred Velazquez, Puerto Rico; 
alternate NEC District 7, Grace McLaughlin, Florida; District 
8, Vernice Eunice, Alabama; District 9, Vicky Grier, Georgia; 
District 10, Zona McNeal, Michigan; District 11, Jane Wood, 
Ohio; District 12, Zona Schaol, Wisconsin; District 13, Esther 
Houston, Indiana; District 14, Annette Bain-Wilson, Montana; 
District 15, Dee Staples, Kansas; District 16, Vera Flatow, 
California; District 17, Dorothy Dudoich, New Mexico; District 
18, Janet Bennett, Nevada; District 19, Esther Westlake, 
Washington; District 20, Ann Hester, Texas; District 21, 
Gertrude Tidwell, Oklahoma.
    Please give them applause. [Applause.]
    At this time, I would like to introduce Past National 
Commander Nelda Wilson from Illinois for a presentation.
    Mrs. Nelda Wilson. National Commander McMasters, National 
Commander Hicks, national officers, honored guests and 
delegates: The purpose of the Past National Commander Award is 
to recognize the contributions and dedication of an outstanding 
member whose efforts have enhanced the goals of the Auxiliary 
and the parent organization and has been active in her 
community for the past calendar year.
    To each of the members whose names were submitted for this 
award, we say thank you and congratulations. You are truly 
examples of Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary members at 
work, caring and sharing, helping our disabled members and 
members of our community.
    The recipient of this award this year is Mary Lou Webber, 
Unit 24, Valley City, North Dakota. Mary Lou has worked in all 
phases of our community and the Auxiliary programs and has been 
an active member in her church. Within the community, Mrs. 
Webber supports the Champion for Children's Program, donates to 
and is an active member of an abused outreach center. She's 
also involved in assisting a local support group for persons 
living with cancer and provides transportation for patients to 
and from medical appointments and treatments.
    Mary Lou's sponsor's words really say it best, quote: ``The 
DAVA is so lucky to have Mary Lou as a member. Mary Lou is a 
most dedicated member that any organization could hope to have. 
She actually schedules the rest of her life around all of the 
DAVA activities.''
    Mary Lou is eligible through her husband, Rheinhold, a POW 
during World War II. I'm sure he's here today, along with her 
son and daughter-in-law.
    So would you now please help me welcome Mary Lou Webber. 
[Rising applause.]
    Mary Lou, it's an honor for me to present this award to you 
on behalf of the past national commanders, the DAV Past 
National Commander Award to Mary Lou Webber, Outstanding Member 
of the Year 1995. Congratulations. [Applause.]
    Mrs. Mary Lou Webber. I would like to thank the past 
national commanders for this award. I would also like to thank 
my unit, Valley City, North Dakota, Number 4, for nominating 
me. I belong to a small unit in a small state, but in North 
Dakota we have big hearts for our veterans.
    Thank you again. [Applause.]
    Commander McMasters. Commander Barbara, thank you very much 
for fulfilling your pledge that you made in Dayton when you 
said you'd stand shoulder to shoulder with us.
    Each year, the DAV selects an Outstanding Disabled Veteran 
of the Year. The award is presented to an individual who has 
overcome personal, social and physical barriers to excel in 
life, an individual who serves as a mentor to all disabled 
veterans.
    The Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year inspires 
courage in the face of fear, strength in the face of hardship 
and achievement in the face of defeat. Ned Clapp is such a man.
    Ned always wanted to fly. As a boy, he was fascinated with 
planes and flying. He dreamed of one day being a pilot and set 
out to make his dream come true. He followed in his father's 
footsteps to West Point to pursue a career as an Army pilot. 
But after graduating and receiving his commission to 2nd 
lieutenant in 1970, he wound up in Vietnam with the 101st 
Airmobile Division as an artillery forward observer.
    While serving with an infantry company during a battalion 
sweep to locate a North Vietnamese Army base camp near Phu Bai, 
Vietnam, Ned stepped on a booby trap. It was the same day the 
company platoon leader had told him a helicopter was on its way 
to take him back for his promotion to 1st lieutenant.
    The incoming helicopter rushed him to a hospital for 
lifesaving, emergency surgery, where he suffered the loss of 
his right leg below the knee and half of his left foot. He 
hopes for a career as an Army pilot changed forever, but not 
his dream to fly.
    While an outpatient at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in 
Denver, Ned obtained his private pilot license in 1972. He went 
on to earn a commercial pilot license, commercial instrument 
rating, sailplane rating and multi-engine rating, using his GI 
Bill.
    He returned to active duty in 1973 and served as a 
mechanized infantry and field artillery officer. But increasing 
physical difficulty for the young captain led Ned to accept a 
medical discharge in 1975.
    Ned left the military and went to work for Denver Avionics 
to learn the aircraft electronics business under the VA's 
Vocational Rehab Program. He eventually purchased a business 
offering flight training, aircraft charter, maintenance and 
aircraft sales. Before selling the business in 1981, he amassed 
5,123 hours of flying time.
    Ned also started a computer business offering bookkeeping 
and accounting services to small businesses, which he continues 
to operate on a small scale. He has used his computer expertise 
to help all veterans organizations in the Fargo area set up 
their computer systems, including the Fargo DAV National 
Service Office.
    In September 1985, Ned joined the Department of Veterans 
Affairs as a prosthetic representative trainee. Today he is the 
chief of Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service at the Fargo VA 
Medical Center, where he strives to ensure that veterans 
received all the services they need to function outside the 
hospital setting. During his tenure, the service has grown from 
serving 2,200 disabled veterans per year to more than 8,000 per 
year. Under Ned's supervision, the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids 
Service has become one of the most highly regarded services at 
that medical center.
    A life member of DAV Chapter Number 1 in Fargo, North 
Dakota, Ned is also a dedicated family man. He and his wife, 
Deborah, are the proud parents of three sons: Griffin, Jim and 
Adam. All of the boys play baseball, a Clapp family passion.
    Last year, Ned and Debbie took in 130 games coaching, 
observing and score-keeping with the boys. Ned is in his fourth 
year of coaching Babe Ruth baseball. He is also a member of the 
Fargo Babe Ruth Baseball League Board of Directors and has also 
coached youth soccer and youth football.
    In 1991, Ned attended his first National Disabled Veterans 
Winter Sports Clinic at Snowmass in Aspen, Colorado. He 
returned to clinics at Crested Butte, Colorado in 1992 and 
1993. He now owns his own mono-ski and skis in Minnesota and 
Montana with his sons and their friends.
    Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming a man who 
has overcome all obstacles to follow his dreams, a man who 
strives to live each day to its fullest and helps those around 
him live theirs fully as well: DAV's 1996 Outstanding Disabled 
Veteran of the Year, Mr. Ned Clapp. I'm going to present this 
plaque to you, Ned. It says:

          For conspicuous and meritorious effort in overcoming a severe 
        service-connected disability to the end that you have achieved 
        success and a high order of accomplishment in your vocational 
        effort of choice. Further, that such consistent and noteworthy 
        accomplishment will ever serve as an inspiration and challenge 
        to your comrades.

    It's signed Thomas A. McMasters, National Commander, and 
Arthur H. Wilson, National Adjutant. Congratulations. 
[Applause.]
    Mr. Ned Clapp. Thank you very much. I'm blown away. I 
remember thinking when I was 2nd lieutenant in Vietnam that I 
would much rather be dead than messed up, because once you're 
messed up, there is no future. And through a lot of other 
people's efforts I'm where I am today. The VA and the DAV have 
been my safety net. It's always nice to have somebody to go to 
when you need help, and both of these people or these groups of 
people have been a tremendous help to me and to my family. It 
really is truly unbelievable.
    This is what the DAV and the VA are all about. It's helping 
guys like me who have suffered an injury or some other 
disability as a result of serving their country in a military 
capacity to return to a normal, or as normal a life as they 
can. And I hope--I like to think that my life has just been 
normal. I don't think of myself as an outstanding person or 
have done outstanding things. I just think of myself as normal, 
but it's nice to have help of the people like the DAV and the 
VA to do it.
    Thank you. I am so humbled by this, it's unbelievable. 
Thank you, thank you, thank you. [Rising applause.]
    Commander McMasters. Each year, thousands of DAV and 
Auxiliary members dedicate countless hours of volunteer work as 
part of the VA Voluntary Services or VAVS Program. And each 
year, it is with great pleasure and pride that the national 
commander recognizes one DAV and one Auxiliary member for their 
outstanding volunteer efforts through the George H. Seal 
Memorial Award.
    Many of us knew and loved George Seal, and we will always 
remember him. For more than ten years, George served as the 
DAV's National VAVS representative. He was also a member of the 
National VAVS Advisory Committee for many years. For George, 
the VAVS Program was a passion from the time he became involved 
with the program in 1952 until his death in 1977.
    Therefore, it is only fitting that his name graces this 
award, presented each year to honor one DAV and one Auxiliary 
member for their outstanding volunteer efforts on behalf of 
hospitalized veterans and their families.
    This year's recipients are testimony of the spirit, 
dedication and love that our organization's volunteers 
demonstrate through their work with hospitalized veterans 
nationwide.
    The 1996 George H. Seal Memorial Award goes to DAV member 
Tillman Rutledge of DAV Chapter Number 5, San Antonio, Texas. 
[Applause.] We also present the George H. Seal Memorial Award 
to Auxiliary member Dorothy Marie Waters of Auxiliary Unit 
Number 83, Round Lake, Illinois. [Applause.]
    Mr. Rutledge has been a VAVS volunteer for more than 20 
years at the Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center in San Antonio. 
He has donated more than 25,000 hours of service to improve the 
quality of life for hospitalized veterans. What does Mr. 
Rutledge do? Anything that needs doing. He can be found working 
at any number of tasks for the Voluntary Service Office, the 
Chaplain's Service and Recreation Service. In addition, Mr. 
Rutledge is the State VAVS chairman.
    Though he suffers from the effects of being a former 
prisoner of war, which included poor nutrition and physical 
abuse, Mr. Rutledge never lets up on his volunteer efforts to 
help his fellow veterans. He is not only a great volunteer, he 
is a true inspiration for the entire VAVS Program.
    Please join me in welcoming outstanding VAVS volunteer 
Tillman Rutledge. [Rising applause.]
    The inscription is: ``George H. Seal Memorial Award Winner 
1996, DAV, Tillman J. Rutledge, San Antonio Medical Center, 
Texas.''
    Mr. Tillman J. Rutledge. Thank you. Is anybody left out 
there? I can't see anything. [Laughter.] Anyway, good 
afternoon, if you're still there. Thank you, Commander 
McMasters, for those very nice remarks. I'm not sure I deserve 
them, but I do appreciate them.
    Before my remarks, I'd like to introduce two outstanding 
ladies, one of the sweetest, nicest and strongest persons I've 
ever known, my wife and best friend, Joyce, without whose 
support and patience I'd probably be lost. And she was also one 
of the first volunteers at Audie Murphy, but after 50-plus 
surgeries, she's down to one day a week, and that's Sunday with 
her TV crew. She's sitting down there somewhere. [Applause.]
    And Miss Donna Charles, chief of Volunteer Service, South 
Texas Veterans Health Care System--that's part of this 
reorganization title--who thought me worthy of nomination and 
nominated me for this most prestigious award, and who is also a 
dear friend. She's sitting down there with Joyce. [Applause.] 
Thank you. Thank you, Joyce and DJ.
    When Tom and I finally made connections on 29 April, 1996, 
Joyce and I had just returned from a VAVS BPP trip, Benefit for 
Texas Program Trip, to West Texas and the Panhandle, and that's 
a long ways in Texas, further from San Antonio to where we were 
there to here. When Tom told me what he wanted to talk to me 
about, that the committee had called or faxed him that I was 
the selectee for the 19th Annual George H. Seal Memorial Award, 
as I recall, I was quiet, and Tom asked if I was still there.
    I told him I was, but I was tired and flabbergasted, 
shocked, delighted and at a loss for words. And he replied, 
``Well, you have about three months to come up with 
something.'' So I've got a few.
    I told Tom and Bruce Nitsche, my boss here in Washington--
here in Washington, how about that?--when he called me later to 
also congratulate me, that I do not do what I do for awards and 
I would not take on all that I have for awards. That wasn't and 
is not my commitment. But I most certainly would accept this 
great honor and recognition award and what it meant with 
gratitude and honor.
    They both replied that they knew that and both were very 
happy and glad for me that I had received it. I truly 
appreciated that also.
    I love doing what I do. Some good close friends tell me I 
don't know how to say No. I've never been nominated for this 
award before. This was my first. I did receive Secretary 
Brown's Exceptional Volunteer Award with diamonds in 1994. 
After talking to Tom, though, it suddenly dawned on me, I'm 
only the 19th recipient. If the procedure was such that--and it 
would be wrong to do it this way, of course--that a volunteer 
at every VAMC was to receive this award, and Audie Murphy's lot 
came up last, it would be the year 2149 before Audie Murphy 
received it. Wow!
    Another thought. Can being a DAV volunteer get any better 
than this? I don't think so.
    And speaking of VAVS and BPP: Get involved. DAV is still 
Number 1, in VAVS, but you're needed in both of these programs. 
Remember, we slipped a little bit last year in volunteers and 
hours.
    I want to thank the committee for considering me worthy of 
this great honor. I'm also grateful to Audie Murphy for feeling 
so honored, Mr. Coronado, our outstanding director, and all the 
staff at Audie Murphy. Thank you. It's great. And Don is 
absolutely thrilled.
    Also, to receive this honor on the 50th anniversary of VAVS 
is particularly significant, at least to me.
    One last comment: I could not do all that I do on my own. I 
would not even try. I am loaded with responsibilities and 
duties. Any abilities I have, any strengths that I posses come 
from a Higher Being. I will humbly accept this recognition in 
great honor, but to Him goes all the praise and the glory.
    God bless America, America's veterans, the DAV, our 
dedicated VA health care givers, and our DAV and DAVA 
volunteers who honestly give of their time and talents. Thank 
you so very, very much. [Applause.]
    Commander McMasters. Our next George H. Seal Memorial Award 
recipient has been a volunteer at the North Chicago VA Medical 
Center for--are you ready for this?--43 years. Dorothy Marie 
Waters has donated more than 32,000 hours of her time to make a 
difference in veterans' live.
    Volunteering is a love affair for Dorothy. She brings a 
bright smile and a warm touch into the lives of hospitalized 
veterans every day.
    This tremendous woman travels 40 miles round trip to and 
from the medical center to do her volunteer work. She begins 
her day as a volunteer at 4:30 each morning, preparing coffee 
and refreshments for other volunteers, where her cheerful 
nature starts everyone's day off right. That's just the 
beginning. Ms. Waters' volunteer duties include community 
affairs, media support and information services, which she 
carries out with the same great enthusiasm.
    Ms. Waters' dedication and commitment to her volunteer work 
with hospitalized veterans at the medical center have brought 
quality and integrity to the meaning of volunteer services. 
It's volunteers like Ms. Waters who make DAV volunteers the 
best in the world.
    Please join me in welcoming outstanding Auxiliary VAVS 
volunteer Dorothy Marie Waters. [Rising applause.]
    I'm also going to read the inscription: ``The George H. 
Seal Memorial Award winner, 1996, DAVA, Dorothy Marie Waters, 
North Chicago VA Medical Center, Illinois.''
    You know, when I called Dorothy, she was on vacation. I 
think it was the first vacation that she had taken--well, 
according to her 43 years of volunteer work and the number of 
hours that she has, it might be the first one ever. But she had 
such a good strong voice, it was something that made me step 
back a little bit and say I hope I'm like this when I'm this 
age. [Laughter and applause.]
    Ms. Dorothy Marie Waters. Now, I'm not a big speaker like 
the rest of these people, but all I have to say, I thank you 
very much for the gift, and I thank my chief, Lisa Howard, who 
is out in the audience, who sent my name in for the award. And 
I love my volunteering. And as I say, I go there five days a 
week, and that's what keeps me young. [Applause.]
    Commander McMasters. We all know how lucky we are to be 
members of a great organization like the DAV, but what does it 
feel like to be the luckiest member of the DAV? The person I'm 
about to introduce can tell you. He was the luckiest of 104 DAV 
members who shared in this year's DAV $250,000 Sweepstakes. He 
won the $100,000 Grand Prize Award.
    Not only is he the luckiest person I know, he's also 
retired and lives in Pensacola, Florida, with his lovely wife, 
Mavis. That means he has the time to enjoy his grand prize and 
someone to help spend it.
    Please join me in welcoming the man who says he'll 
certainly believe in miracles from now on, DAV member Robert 
Kilpatrick. It's pay day, Robert! [Rising applause.]
    Mr. Robert Kilpatrick. I know you don't have to be known to 
win now, but you do have to have a ticket. And I thank all of 
you, and God bless all of you. [Applause.]
    Commander McMasters. We're all certainly happy for Mr. 
Kilpatrick and wish him the very best with his grand prize 
check. Robert, several members have volunteered to help you 
carry that check to the bank for a small fee, if you're 
interested. [Laughter.]
    On a more serious note, I want to thank everyone who made 
the sweepstakes such a success. It's great to award so many 
prizes to our members, but the biggest winners of all are our 
DAV state department service programs. Every DAV state 
department shares in the proceeds of donations from the DAV 
$250,000 Sweepstakes. Thanks to the sweepstakes, departments 
can finance and expand state-level services to care for more 
disabled veterans and their families than ever before. That's 
the greatest prize of all.
    The adjutant will now read the names of the convention 
committee advisors that I have appointed and who received the 
approval of the National Executive Committee at its most recent 
meeting. Mr. Adjutant.
    Adjutant Wilson. Credentials, Charles D. Luttjohann; 
General Resolutions and Membership, Jerry P. Steelman, Rick 
Surratt; Legislation and Veterans Rights, Thomas L. Tomlinson, 
Richard F. Schultz; Constitution and Bylaws, Fred R. Bristol 
and Edward G. Galian; Finance and Dues, Earl D. Walker, Richard 
E. Patterson; Employment, Michael Godich, Jr., Ronald W. Drach; 
Hospital and Voluntary Services, Henry A. Veillette, Norman B. 
Hartnett; Nomination of National Officers, Gene A. Murphy, 
William E. Leach. Thank you.
    Commander McMasters. Ladies and gentlemen, if you will 
please rise, I will ask the chaplain to lead us in a closing 
prayer.
    Chaplain Wilkie. Let us pray. Father, we've heard a lot of 
words today, a lot of rhetoric, a lot of promises of help, but 
we raise our eyes and know that our help truly comes from God. 
Therefore, Father, help us that we may build upon the 
foundations that have been laid, that we might be able to 
construct a facility that truly will bring service and 
assistance to those to whom we are dedicated to serve.
    Take us now to our places of refreshment and rest that we 
may arrive back at this place in the morning ready to build 
that building, that house of service. Amen.
    Commander McMasters. The convention is in recess until 
10:00 o'clock tomorrow morning.
    [Whereupon, the meeting recessed at 3:55 o'clock p.m., July 
28, 1996.]
                         FIRST BUSINESS SESSION

                             July 29, 1996

    The First Business Session of the Disabled American 
Veterans 75th National Convention convened in the Grand 
Ballroom of the New Orleans Hilton Riverside, New Orleans, 
Louisiana, Monday morning, July 29, 1996, and was called to 
order at 10:00 o'clock a.m. by Commander Thomas McMaster III.
    Commander Thomas A. McMasters III. The convention will come 
to order.
    In opening the First Business Session of the 75th National 
Convention of the Disabled American Veterans, it is fitting and 
proper that we render the respect due to the flag. Please join 
me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
    [Pledge of Allegiance.]
    Commander McMasters. We will now be led in prayer by our 
national chaplain, the Reverend Oscar Wilkie.
    Chaplain Wilkie. Again, as we being another day of business 
and consideration, let us take a moment of silence to ask God 
to remember and to bless those who are ill. We have some of our 
people that are in the hospital, that have been taken since we 
have been here, I understand are doing well.
    Let us remember all of those who are in need or distress, 
either physically or emotionally, in a moment of silence.
    [Moment of silence.]
    Chaplain Wilkie. Once again, we pause to bring praise to 
You, Father, that You have given to us a good night of rest, 
that you have brought us again to this happy hour that we might 
be able now to consider the business affairs of the Disabled 
American Veterans.
    Again I ask Your blessings upon our commander, Tom 
McMasters, upon our adjutant, Art Wilson, and all of those who 
lead us, that we might indeed be able to consider the matters 
before us and do those things which are pleasing in Thy sight. 
Amen.
    Commander McMasters. Please be seated.
    In order for a delegate to be heard at this convention, he 
must be recognized by the Chair. Only those delegates at a 
microphone will be recognized. The delegate must state his 
name, chapter number, chapter number and the state he 
represents.
    I call on the Credentials Committee for their first report.
    Mr. Virgil A. Barnett. Good morning. Comrade Commander and 
delegates, the National Convention Committee on Credentials was 
called to order for the First Business Session by the advisor, 
Charles Luttjohann. The first order of business was the 
election of Credentials Committee chairman. Virgil Barnett was 
nominated for chairman. There being no further nominations, 
Virgil Barnett was elected chairman.
    The next order of business was the nomination and election 
of the secretary. Jerry Worthington was nominated and elected 
as secretary.
    The Credentials Committee met this morning in the 
Jasperwood Room at 7:00 o'clock at the New Orleans Hilton 
Riverside Hotel. Roll call showed 1,291 delegates; 50 
alternates. This is a partial report for informational purposes 
only and reflects the registration at the close of registration 
at 4:00 o'clock on July 28th. At the present time, we have 471 
chapters, 49 departments, 27 national officers, 10 past 
national commanders, for a total of 1,291 delegates, 50 
alternates, and a total vote of 10,540.
    This completes the partial report of the Credentials 
Committee, Commander. Thank you.
    Commander McMasters. The first order of business of this 
convention is the adoption of the Rules. Printed copies of the 
Rules have been furnished to each registered delegate. The 
Chair will entertain a motion for the adoption of the Rules.
    [Motion made from the floor.]
    Member. Comrade Commander, Massachusetts, Joseph R. Harold 
Chapter Number 10, seconds that motion.
    Mr. Anthony Fusco. Comrade Commander, Anthony Fusco, 
Brooklyn Chapter 28, New York.
    Commander McMasters. Okay, Mr. Fusco, I'll recognize you.
    Mr. Fusco. I move to amend the Rules to incorporate the 
change which has been placed on the delegates' chairs this 
morning.
    Commander McMasters. Would you please read that change so 
we all know what it is?
    Mr. Fusco. Yes, Mr. Commander. The following rule was 
discussed by the Convention Committee on Employment, and it is 
recommended to the national convention for adoption.

          RESOLVED to amend:
          Section 3.10, Rule 21(f), Committee on Employment. This 
        committee shall consider all matters concerning all forms of 
        employment of disabled veterans, as well as the preference 
        rights and examination, appointments, retention, promotions or 
        employment or reemployment rights in Federal Civil Service and 
        in state, county and city governments. This committee will also 
        consider matters relating to vocational rehabilitation, 
        education and training, except provided by Title 38 in U.S. 
        Code.

    The new reading will only be the last sentence, which will 
read: ``This committee will consider matters relating to 
vocational rehabilitation and training'' period.
    Commander McMasters. Thank you, Mr. Fusco. Is there 
support? Mike 3.
    Mr. Richard Christopher. Richard Christopher, past 
department commander, Massachusetts, Chapter 115, so seconds 
the motion.
    Commander McMasters. Okay. We have the motion and support. 
Are you ready for the question? Are you ready for the question? 
Ready for the question. All in favor, signify by Aye; opposed. 
It's carried.
    I will now ask the national adjutant to read the Statement 
of Policy.
    Adjutant Wilson. The Disabled American Veterans was founded 
on the principle that this nation's first duty to veterans is 
the rehabilitation of its wartime disabled. This principle 
envisions:
    1. High quality hospital and medical care administered by 
the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans with 
disabilities incurred or aggravated by service in America's 
armed forces.
    2. Adequate compensation for the loss resulting from such 
service-connected disabilities.
    3. Vocational rehabilitation and/or education to help the 
disabled veteran prepare for and obtain gainful employment.
    4. Enhanced opportunities for employment and preferential 
job placement so that the remaining ability of the disabled 
veteran is used productively.
    5. Adequate compensation to the widows and survivors of 
veterans whose deaths are held to be service-connected under 
laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It 
therefore follows that we will not take action on any 
resolution that proposes legislation designed to provide 
benefits for other than wartime, service-connected disability. 
We shall not oppose legislation beneficial to those veterans 
not classified as service-connected disabled, except when it is 
evident that such legislation will jeopardize benefits for 
service-connected disabled veterans.
    While our first duty as an organization is to assist the 
service-connected disabled, their dependents and survivors, we 
will, within the limits of our resources, assist others in 
filing, perfecting and prosecuting their claims for benefits.
    Since this represents the principle upon which our 
organization was founded, and since it is as sound at this time 
as it was in 1920, we hereby reaffirm this principle as the 
policy for the Disabled American Veterans.
    Commander McMasters. Thank you. The Chair will entertain a 
motion to adopt the Policy Statement. Mike 3.
    Mr. Fusco. Anthony Fusco, Brooklyn 28, New York, makes the 
motion to adopt.
    Commander McMasters. Mike 1.
    Mr. James McCormick. Comrade Commander, McCormick, Chapter 
46, State of Washington, second the motion.
    Commander McMasters. Okay. The motion has been made and 
supported. Are we all ready for the question? All in favor, 
signify by Aye; opposed. It's carried.
    On July 11th, 141 new Ford vans left DAV National 
Headquarters for VA medical centers in 35 states and Puerto 
Rico. Today, those vans, purchased in partnership between the 
national organization and the departments and chapters 
nationwide, are serving veterans. As I speak, volunteers are 
using the new vans to transport sick and disabled veterans to 
and from VA medical centers for needed medical care.
    We can all be proud of this accomplishment, and I thank 
each and every one of you who worked so hard to make it happen.
    I wish everyone could have been present for the tremendous 
drive-away ceremony on July 11th. It was a truly impressive 
sight to see.
    Since I know many of you couldn't be there, we have a 
special treat for you. We brought along a video of the event. 
And after viewing this video, I believe you will agree with me 
when I say money spent to serve disabled veterans is money well 
spent.
    [Video presentation.]
    Commander McMasters. The film was quite a tribute to the 
DAV Transportation Network, wasn't it? Quite a tribute to all 
the DAV and Auxiliary members who make that program one of the 
greatest successes ever mounted by the volunteers of any 
organization bar none.
    It's also a tribute to a man of quiet strength, a man who 
understands the dedicated spirit of our members, a man whose 
great dream is to help those members achieve their own dreams 
of service to their fellow veterans and their families.
    An Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, this man dedicated 
many years to our National Service Program. He knows service. 
He knows the deepest meaning of the word, whether that service 
is provided by a DAV NSO in a big city or a DAV member in a 
small rural town. He is a man who worked hard over the past 
three years to help rebuild the once shattered financial base 
of the Disabled American Veterans, and, more importantly, to 
rebuild the many services our employees and our members provide 
to those whose own service has kept America free and 
prosperous.
    I know the many long hours that one quiet, earnest man 
devoted to the success we saw in that film about our vans, and 
many other DAV successes as well. I remember the steady hand of 
his leadership. I remember his compassionate heart, a heart 
that beats in unison with the compassionate hearts of our rank 
and file members, his personal warmth, his intelligence, his 
kindness, his inner strength. These are the gifts he brings to 
life and these are the gifts he brings to the DAV.
    Ladies and gentlemen, here for this report to the national 
convention is our national adjutant, Art Wilson. [Applause]
    Adjutant Wilson. Thank you, Commander. I'm humbled by that 
introduction. Thank you, sir.
    With your permission, before I get started, I'd like to 
report to you a little bit on some of the activities of 
yesterday, and it's kind of a postscript to the great opening 
that we had. Before two hours had passed following the 
conclusion of our opening session, I was in my room and the 
phone rang, and it was Secretary Brown. And he was in his car 
in Washington. He'd flown back with the President on Air Force 
One.
    And I want to let you know, and he asked me to tell you 
that he apologizes for not staying last night as he usually 
does, to greet so many of you. He had a death in his immediate 
family, which he was aware of when he was here, but it was 
post-haste that he retreat to Washington soon.
    But he also wanted to tell me that he flew back to 
Washington with the President, and the President was 
emotionally moved by the reception and the warmth that you 
extended to him in his visit here yesterday, and that's a 
tribute to you. [Applause.]
    Thank you again, Tom, for that nice introduction, and let 
me take this opportunity to express to you my gratitude for the 
kind remarks you made about our DAV staff in your report 
yesterday.
    Make no doubt about it, you were right on the mark when you 
described the past year as one of extraordinary success. Each 
member at this convention has now received a copy of DAV's 
annual report, and I say to you the proof is in the pudding. 
But those on the national staff know that we're not alone in 
the responsibility for that success, not by a long shot.
    Tom, your support has been and remains tremendous and is 
very much appreciated.
    We'd also like to thank all of your national officers; our 
National Executive, Finance and Interim Committees; the great 
team of our national, department and chapter service officers; 
our hospital service coordinators; all of the selfless people 
who gave so generously of their time as volunteers in our VAVS, 
Transportation and other programs; everyone who takes part in 
our Benefits Protection Team initiative; all of our chapter and 
department leaders; and, of course, all of our wonderful DAV 
And Auxiliary members throughout this great country.
    What a team we are in the Disabled American Veterans! What 
an incredible team! You know, we're a remarkable organization, 
making remarkable contributions to the lives of disabled 
veterans and their families. You just saw dramatic evidence of 
that contribution in the film that we showed. What an 
achievement, sending 141 Transportation Network vans on the 
road in one single day.
    Just think about what that means to the thousands upon 
thousands who count on the DAV for a ride to that all-important 
VA medical treatment. Yes, our organization, and your work in 
our organization, have a deeply meaningful impact on the lives 
of individual veterans in our society as a whole.
    And I'd like to say a word of particular thanks to those 
chapters and departments that raise the funds and spent so 
generously from their accumulated assets in order to 
participate in the purchase of those vans. This is exactly the 
purpose for which DAV units raise money in the first place.
    As we all know, this isn't an achievement of any single 
part of the Disabled American Veterans. This great work grows 
out of a lively, thriving partnership that includes each and 
every one of us: Our national organization, our departments and 
our chapters; both the DAV and its Auxiliary; our HSCs; our 
volunteers; and our service officers, national, department and 
chapter.
    Take away any gear in that mighty engine of service, 
particularly our service officers and those individual members 
who supply nearly all of our volunteer force, and we're left 
with an engine that will not run. But our engine of service is 
running, it's running fast and it's running smoothly, because 
we work together.
    Our unity is the fuel for DAV's engine of service, our 
source of power as we live up to our purpose as it is laid out 
in the DAV Mission Statement, and I quote, ``building better 
lives for all of our nation's disabled veterans and their 
families.''
    You know, now I have something really great to tell you 
about, and you can't miss it. I didn't realize it was going to 
be that big. Commander McMasters and I and the Department of 
Colorado, and several other DAV leaders throughout the country, 
thought we should reinforce that unity wherever possible, and 
to do so in such a way that provides greater responsibility in 
the stewardship of DAV resources.
    To get that job done, we turned to a group of DAV leaders 
who offer a deep and thorough understanding of what stewardship 
means, the DAV National Service Foundation. You know, the DAV 
was built on a simple but powerful concept: the idea of one 
disabled veteran extending the hand of help to another. And 
what the Department of Colorado and the National Service 
Foundation are doing is extending that philosophy to a new 
level.
    We envision a vehicle by which DAV chapters and departments 
can help other chapters and departments as we strive to provide 
that promised DAV service. It's a means by which those who have 
been blessed can be of greater help to those who have not.
    There are some important factors driving the need to 
develop a greater equity in the way DAV resources are used to 
serve veterans, factors that are external to DAV. First, 
there's the National Charities Information Bureau, the NCIB, 
the most vigilant agency keeping an eye on our nation's 
nonprofit organizations. Though NCIB is not a government 
agency, it does not have plenty of clout. And their standards 
call for charities to have net assets available for the 
following fiscal year, usually not more than twice the current 
year's expenses.
    Now, I don't need to tell you that the DAV national 
organization, with only eight months of operating expenses in 
reserve, is well within the NCIB guidelines, but we all know 
that some chapters and a few departments and some Auxiliary 
units are not.
    Is this matter of serious concern? You can bet on it! The 
Internal Revenue Service is turning an ever sharper eye on the 
nonprofit community. They're taking about regulation far 
stricter than what we face today, and one of those very high-
profile targets is the accumulation of excess resources.
    Why did the National Executive Committee promulgate 
Regulation Number 9, which mirrors the NCIB's standard nearly 
word for word? You don't have to look any further than what I 
just shared with you about NCIB and IRS. The NEC didn't want 
the reputation of the entire DAV soiled because some in the DAV 
are hiding large sums of money. We don't need that type of 
coverage on the network news.
    Sure, these are three big sticks prompting the DAV to make 
sure that all chapters and departments do what darn near all 
chapters and departments are doing already, using their 
resources responsibly to meet the needs of their nation's 
veterans. If we have a stick, though, we should have a carrot, 
and that's the thought behind the new Colorado Trust, which 
will be a function of the DAV National Service Foundation.
    The sweet thing about this carrot is the way it doubles the 
money that chapters and departments invest in it. Every dollar 
a chapter or department puts in the Colorado Trust will be 
matched dollar for dollar by the national organization for up 
to $3 million a year.
    The program was named the Colorado Trust because the 
leaders of the Department of Colorado come forward looking for 
ways to help as many disabled veterans as possible. They, along 
with the National Service Foundation, are providing the seed 
money to get this project off the ground. And the Colorado 
Trust name will remain the same until someone else matches the 
generosity of the Department of Colorado.
    This program will pinpoint monetary aid where it's most 
needed to support the services of our chapters and departments 
that they provide for disabled veterans and their families. The 
fact is, this is a designated fund. Its monies can only be used 
for service projects, and that policy will govern all grants. 
But it will do much more than simply enhance the work of our 
chapters and departments. I believe this new program will 
reinvigorate the service posture of the entire DAV.
    Because of its promise, we will move deeper into the 
communities we serve and deeper into the lives of disabled 
veterans and their families. And we'll do so in such a way that 
is directed not so much by the national organization as by our 
chapters and our departments.
    And this is where the DAV National Service Foundation comes 
into the picture. As you may know, the Foundation is a separate 
nonprofit organization. It's not part of the DAV national 
organization. The Colorado Trust will be a separate fund within 
and administered by the Foundation, not the national 
organization of DAV. The fund will not be mixed with the other 
Service Foundation existing funds to which you have been 
donating for years and will make further contributions 
tomorrow.
    The new program does not change or interfere with the 
Foundation's current program in any way, nor will it affect the 
way contributions are made to the Foundation's standard 
programs. Rather, the Colorado Trust will be a separate 
designated account. Grants from the Trust will be made to 
chapters and departments upon the advice and recommendations of 
a special Advisory Committee made up of representatives from 
each of DAV's 21 national districts.
    And you'll find the details of how the Colorado Trust will 
work in a booklet that'll be distributed to you as you leave 
the hall this morning. But let me emphasize one point right 
now. There is a tremendous need out there among the veterans 
our organization was created to serve, and all of us, every one 
of us should keep in mind that thought today as we celebrate 
our diamond anniversary 75th National Convention.
    You know, the strings of the government's safety nets are 
coming unraveled under the weight of federal spending cuts. The 
support structures that disabled veterans have counted on for 
years are being slowly whittled away. Not only are the various 
components of the DAV family under pressure to spend down 
excess financial resources. At the same time, the veterans we 
serve are facing ever greater pressures in their daily lives.
    So much needs to be done for veterans on the wards of our 
hospitals. Needy veterans being cared for in their homes are 
waiting for our knock on their door. The psychiatrically 
disabled veteran who is living under America's bridges requires 
something more from us than just a hand-out. And the need goes 
on and on and on. We cannot, in good conscience, sit on our 
resources while these veterans are waiting for our help, some 
of them waiting in desperation. We cannot and must not deprive 
these veterans when we have on hand the resources to help them.
    You know, the national organization has made steady 
financial progress since 1993. However, our financial status is 
not as yet as strong as it should be. As I mentioned before, 
the national organization ended 1995 with barely eight months' 
reserve on hand. Well, I can tell you, if the NCIB or IRS are 
going to look at the DAV reserves with a jaundiced eye, it 
won't be the reserves of the national organization; it'll be 
those of our chapters and our departments.
    Yet facing the tremendous need that exists, the national 
organization is ready to take a risk. We're ready to spend up 
to $3 million annually from our reserves in order to set an 
example to those chapters and departments whose large reserves 
could bring embarrassment to the entire organization.
    But let's concentrate on the position side of what we're 
doing here. In the film that you just saw, the drive-away, we 
saw a terrific example of what can happen when the national and 
the department organizations and chapters work as a team. 
Together, as a team, we put $3 million out there to do 
something truly meaningful for disabled veterans who need VA 
medical treatment. And that, my friends, is what I call 
service. And together, as a team, we can also accomplish great 
things well into the future through the Colorado Trust, and 
doing so in such a way that's guided by our chapters and our 
departments.
    Following this convention, an announcement of this program 
will go to all chapters and departments, and the grants program 
will officially begin just as soon as possible. The promise of 
the Colorado Trust is really, really exciting, and that's why 
I'm excited now to invite to the podium the Department of 
Colorado leadership. Department Commander Jimmie Snider, 
Department Adjutant Mike Terry, Rudy Vargas, who's chairman of 
the Board of Directors for the department, and Sam Vigil from 
Chapter 7, would you please step forward, please. [Applause.]
    Mr. Samuel Vigil. I'm Vigil from Murphy Borelli, Chapter 
Number 7, Denver, Colorado. Given this golden opportunity at 
the 75th Annual Convention, National Convention, I'm making a 
donation to the National Service Foundation of Colorado Trust 
from the chapter in Murphy Borelli, a small chapter with a big 
heart, come up with enough money for $50,000 for the good 
cause.
    Thank you, Commander. [Applause.]
    Adjutant Wilson. Department Commander Jimmie Snider.
    Mr. Jimmie Snider. Art, at this time, I'd like to present 
you with a check from the Department of Colorado Disabled 
American Veterans also with the DAV eagle on it for you, a 
check for $500,000. [Applause.]
    Adjutant Wilson. For those of you in Chapter 7, they just 
said they didn't know the department was going to beat them on 
their amount. [Laughter.]
    Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you so much. You have now made 
the Colorado Trust a reality. Every member of the Department of 
Colorado can take pride that their organization was the first 
to step up to the challenge, and every single DAV member will 
be in your debt.
    Well, you know, Commander McMasters reminded me this 
morning that I owe you a report on more than one project. I'm 
going to keep this part of my remarks as brief as possible, 
asking each one of you to take time to read the 1995 annual 
report that was in your registration packet, and once you've 
done so, I know that you'll be pleased with your national 
organization.
    You'll see that we've made mighty strides in rebuilding the 
financial stability required for a sound DAV future. In that 
respect, I can't say enough about the help I receive from our 
entire staff, including Rick Patterson, executive director of 
National Headquarters, and I also offer my congratulations and 
gratitude to his staff: Inspector General Bob Gushee; 
Communications Director Tom Keller; fund-raising directors Max 
Hart and Jerry Lape; Comptroller Anita Blum; Charlie 
Luttjohann, assistant executive director for purchasing and 
membership; Greg Jackson, assistant executive director for 
administration and personnel; Charitable Programs Director 
Nancy O'Brien; Computer Service Center Manager, Dennis Painter; 
and all of our employees at Cold Spring Headquarters in Cold 
Spring, Kentucky.
    You know, the 1995 annual report also spells out the 
progress we made in service to disabled veterans and their 
families, and for that I want to personally thank Washington 
Headquarters Executive Director Dave Gorman; Service Director 
Ken Wolfe and his staff, Jerry Steelman, Tony Baskerville and 
Mike Walsh, and recently retired Darrel Babcock; Legislative 
Director Rick Schultz and his staff, Rick Surratt and Joe 
Violante and Len Gilmer, who now works in our Court of Veterans 
Appeals staff; and, of course, National Employment Director Ron 
Drach and Voluntary Services Director Bruce Nitsche.
    It's a huge team effort, and they do wonderful, wonderful 
work.
    And all of our staffs, you know, are fortunate to have 
great support teams, and these are the folks that make sure 
that we get it right the first time. And my personal thanks go 
to each and every one of those support personnel for everything 
that they do. Our employees in Cincinnati and Washington are 
doing a tremendous job, and they're doing it just for you.
    And what can I say about our national service officers and 
their staffs cross the country? What a dedicated group! These 
are the men and women who represent the DAV where the rubber 
meets the road in individual contacts with disabled veterans 
and their families every day. And last year they secured 
benefits for well in excess of 200,000 veterans, their 
dependents and survivors, and yes, they did that in just one 
single year. Our NSOs are the backbone of DAV's national 
organization, make no mistake about it, and I thank each and 
every one of them, as well as their clerical staffs.
    And now another important announcement, and this one might 
interest you even more. And I'm pleased to report to you that 
the National Headquarters Fund-Raising Program for departments 
is having another tremendous year. It's a little too early to 
say, but I suspect we'll see an additional distribution from 
this program at the end of this year, just like we did last 
December, and I'm sure that's good news for sure.
    Please encourage your members and your chapters to support 
this program. It's a winner across the board. It's a winner for 
all of us, particularly our departments, a winner for the 
hundreds of thousands of veterans who count on the services 
provided by those DAV departments.
    You know, I had a chance to visit several of our State 
organizations this spring as we progressed through our 
department convention season. And that's an odyssey I always 
enjoy, but this year the experience was particularly rewarding. 
I see a great deal of unity growing inside the DAV, and I don't 
mean to say that our departments and chapters are without 
problems, but I do see us pulling together quite nicely under 
the banner of a common purpose. And that's exciting, and I urge 
every one of you to keep the momentum going, for we in the 
national organization will keep that momentum going as well.
    We had a great membership year, but we're not about to slow 
down, because we can't. And the past year showed us that hard 
work is needed, and what hard work can really do. But you know 
and I know it's going to get tougher in the world of veterans' 
affairs. We need to involve everyone and keep everyone 
involved, and that's particularly true of the younger veterans 
who are now coming into our organization from the Gulf War and 
the other relatively recent conflicts.
    Finally, I can't sit down till I mention the issue of 
voting one more time. If there's one message that I want to 
share with you between now and November, it's this: Vote! Vote! 
If there's one message that I hope that you'll share with the 
members of your chapters and departments when you go home from 
this national convention it's vote! Vote!
    On a more personal note, the cause of our organization, its 
many programs and its voice before our government give real 
meaning to my life. Of the many things that I have in common 
with you, that commitment and the sense of fulfillment are the 
most special to me. Next to the joy I derive from the life of 
my own family, I take my greatest joy from sharing my life with 
you, the leaders and the members of the Disabled American 
Veterans.
    Thank you so much, and thank you for your attention to my 
message about the Colorado Trust, and thank for you for 
allowing me to serve as your national adjutant. Thank you. 
[Applause.]
    Commander McMasters. Thank you very much, Mr. Wilson, for 
that incredible report.
    The Chair recognizes Mike 3.
    Mrs. Lee Borgen. Delegate Lee Borgen, commander of Prescott 
Chapter 16 in Arizona. As a proud member of District 18, 
Chapter 16 wishes to donate at this time $100 to the Colorado 
Trust. Permission to approach the podium.
    Commander McMasters. We'll make a note of that.
    At this time, the Chair will entertain a motion to accept 
the adjutant's report.
    Mr. Fusco. Comrade Commander, Anthony Fusco, Chapter 28, 
Brooklyn, New York. I'd like to make a motion that we accept 
Art's fine report and the hard work that Art does for this 
department.
    Commander McMasters. I recognize Mike 3 and accept the 
motion. Is there support? Mike 1.
    Mr. Frank Webb. Frank Webb, Chapter Number 9, Houston, 
Texas, seconds the motion.
    Commander McMasters. Thank you. We have a motion and 
support. Are we ready for the question? Ready for the question? 
All in favor, signify by Aye; opposed. It's carried. 
[Applause.]
    I would like to call on Charles D. Luttjohann, the 
membership director, for his report.
    Mr. Charles D. Luttjohann. Thank you. Thank you. Nice to 
see you all today. You know, just two short years ago, the DAV 
National Constitution and Bylaws were unanimously changed by 
the delegates at the Chicago national convention, transforming 
the DAV exclusively into a life membership organization. 
Already our members have taken full advantage of that program 
and have built the life membership count to 853,362 members, 
full paid life members, I might add, by the end of the last 
membership year. In addition, we have 229,076 members who are 
in the process of paying their full paid life membership. That 
comes to a total of 1,082,438 members, which is certainly a 
very staggering number.
    I think that's an exciting number, and it's exciting to me. 
But what's really exciting is last year, when you consider only 
27 departments made their national goal for membership, and 
then this year every single department in the entire country 
made their goal. Now, that's interesting to me. That's 
incredible! [Applause.]
    You know, when you look back at a few short years ago when 
people were struggling just to get annual members to make their 
goals, and now we're getting full paid life members, and we're 
still making our goals. In addition to every single department 
making goal, ten departments had every single chapter in their 
entire department make goal, which is also incredible.
    And I tell you what's neat about that. Let me give you 
three of them here: California, Florida and New York--which are 
the three largest departments in the country--every single one 
of their chapters made goal. So let's hear it for them. 
[Applause.]
    I think that's clearly an example of what can happen when 
Team DAV takes the field to play an essential role in securing 
better lives for America's disabled veterans.
    This is always the time each year when I have the 
opportunity to announce the winners of the individual division 
awards for overall membership recruitment, and if I could 
enlist the commander's assistance on this, I'd appreciate it.
    First I'd like to announce the winner of our Annual 
Wainwright Award, and that particular award is one that 
recognizes the department with the largest overall numeric gain 
in members, and the winner this year was the Department of 
California, and Larry Polzin is here to accept that award. 
[Applause.] That increase was 5,914 over last year's 
membership. By the way, the award recipients are eligible to 
say something, if you'd like. I don't want to run them off.
    Our next award is the Marx Award, which each year is given 
to the department with the highest percentage over their goal, 
and the recipient of that award this year is Alaska, and Jimmey 
Mayo, the department commander, will pick up that award. 
[Applause.]
    I'm not going to have Jimmey move here very far, because I 
don't want to wear him out today. The Department of Alaska has 
gotten to be pretty much a regular up here over the last four 
years, and the Division V winner this year for the highest 
percentage over their goal within that division was obviously 
Alaska, since they were the largest one in the entire country. 
So in addition to the plaque, Jimmey Mayo, as the department 
commander, wins the patented Master's membership jacket. We 
even went to green this year to signify the Master's in 
Membership. [Applause.]
    Now, that's enough. He's sticking around wanting to get 
more. That's enough.
    The Division IV winner this year was the Department of Iowa 
at 104.94 percent, and the recipient of that award will be 
Robert Wonderlich, the department commander. Robert, could you 
come up? [Applause.]
    The Department of Iowa also had all their chapters make 
goal, as did Alaska.
    Division III, the Department of Maryland with 101.98 
percent, and the recipient is Ray Chatary, department 
commander. Let's hear it for them. [Applause.] It's amazing how 
these fit every year, isn't it? [Laughter.] They're having to 
turn in their old ones. [Laughter.]
    Division II. Division II, the Department of Indiana. The 
Department of Indiana, as many of you will know that follow 
population summaries, didn't take a whole lot of time to make 
their hundred percent. They were on it about the time we got 
back from convention last year. The Department of Indiana has 
dedicated themselves to being a leader in membership, and they 
don't plan on giving up that leadership role.
    This year they won the Division II, and it wasn't anything 
real easy, because Arizona was right on their tail all the way 
and did a great job. But Indiana finished with 102.88 percent, 
and Ken Kersey is here, the department commander, to pick up 
the jacket. [Applause.]
    From Division I--Division I's always a battle. You've got 
the largest departments in the country, and they take a great 
deal of pride in who the winner is. And this year an old winner 
came back, and we're real proud of that. The Department of 
Florida, with 102.82 percent nudged out New York, and Harry 
Warburton is here to pick up the award, the department 
commander. [Applause.]
    Mr. Harry Warburton. I will thank the Department of Florida 
for the outstanding job. Thank you. [Applause.]
    Mr. Luttjohann. All right. That concludes the division 
winners.
    The only award that we have to present here today goes out 
to the top membership recruiter in the country. Anybody know 
who that might be? This year I didn't even write him a letter. 
I figured he'd show up here. He always does. For the last four 
years, he just shows up on stage about this time. This year, 
with kind of an astounding number of 1,195, my dear friend, 
Prospero Sodano from New York, is again our top membership 
recruiter. [Applause.]
    We've just about concluded his wardrobe here. He's got 
every color we can come up with. We're going to start going to 
pants next year.
    He doesn't want to say anything, but I'm telling you, that 
guy is a dynamo. He works membership, he lives membership. 
There was an article we did on him a while back, and his 
recommendation to anybody who wants to recruit members is 
follow up, follow up. And believe me, he does that. He's on 
people, and he's a dynamo, and we really appreciate him. 
Appreciate everything he does.
    At this time, I want to finish this off, and I wouldn't 
typically do this, but in my estimation, anybody that recruits 
over a hundred members has really done a lot of work. And I 
know we're on strict time schedule here today, and this takes a 
little time, but it takes an awful lot of time to get a hundred 
members, too.
    So I want to recognize these individuals, and we can kind 
of hold off until--yell if you want to, when I mention their 
names. But these people, I believe, surely deserve some 
recognition. First of all, Michael Mastrean, with 104 members; 
Stan Lore with 104. Go ahead and yell. Just because I'm 
talking, don't think you don't have to yell. Roger Bourgery 
with 104; Clyde Dartey, 105; Don Cox, 108; Stan Hoy; 108; 
Emmett Gore, 109; Bruce Kaplan, 112; Paul Newman, 114, makes 
movies, recruits. The guy's incredible!
    William Coley, 114; Ken Kursey, 127; Ray Chatary, 127; 
Billy Braswell, 129; Robert Sinclair, 131; Kenny Kooyman, 147; 
Gary Burns, 151; John Parker, 152; Larry Jatho, 167; Bob 
Winterstien, 207; Raymond Hemple, 220; Dennis Gooden, 226; Coy 
Hennis, 316. I always like to mention Coy. He's one of our 
primary volunteers, one of the top volunteer recruiters 
throughout the country, always does a great job.
    Jim Perciavalle with 392; and Richard Ladnier at 410, who 
was the runner up to Prospero this year.
    So let's hear it for all them, and thank you all and keep 
up the great work. And that concludes my report. [Applause.]
    Commander McMasters. Thank you, Charlie, for that report.
    I will now entertain a motion to accept the membership 
report. Mike 3.
    Mr. Richard Christopher. Richard Christopher, past 
department commander, Massachusetts, accepts the report.
    Commander McMasters. Okay. Is there support? Mike 1.
    Mr. Manuel F. Lozano. Manny Lozano, Chapter 195, Pearland, 
Texas. I second that motion.
    Commander McMasters. Okay. We have the motion and the 
second. Are your ready for the question? Ready for the 
question? All in favor, signify by Aye; opposed. That's 
carried.
    At this time, I'll call on the National Finance Committee 
chairman, Earl D. Walker, for his report. Dean.
    NEC 20th District Earl D. Walker. National Commander 
McMasters, national officers, distinguished guests and fellow 
members of the Disabled American Veterans: Let me begin my 
report by recognizing my fellow members of the National Finance 
Committee: National Commander Tom McMasters; 12th District NEC 
Dorothy Schilling of Wisconsin; 13th District NEC Glen Vogel of 
Indiana; and 15th District NEC Francis McLaskey of Iowa.
    As chairman of the National Finance Committee, I'm very 
pleased to deliver my report regarding the financial position 
of the national organization through the first six months of 
1996. During the first six months of 1996, the DAV sent out 
32.3 million pieces of fund-raising mail, and we expect to mail 
61.2 million by the end of the year.
    These mailings produced $40.2 million in gross revenue as 
of 30 June. We believe gross revenues will reach $85.1 million 
by year's end. That's a $2 million increase over 1995.
    Our 1996 mailings included 4.3 million pieces sent to DAV 
members under the Department Fund-Raising Program. The national 
organization expects to raise sufficient funds to meet the $3.1 
million distribution it is committed to make.
    And though it is too early for promises, National expects 
to net more than $3 per member that is promised to departments. 
If this hope is realized, departments will see an additional 
distribution this November, as they did at the end of last 
year.
    The success of the Department Fund-Raising Program reflects 
very favorably upon our management and professional staff, our 
rank-and-file employees, the National Finance Committee and, 
most importantly, our members who give generously to the 
success of this program and the services we provide.
    Over the past three years, the management and volunteer 
leadership of the DAV has been watching the Life Membership 
Fund with an eye toward ensuring its long-term viability. As of 
30 June, 1996, the Life Fund had a net reserve of $75 million. 
This compares to $78.3 million at the same time last year. On 
July 1, 1996, the Fund distributed $12.3 million to the 
national organization, chapters and departments.
    The robust performance of the stock market over the last 
year and a half has strengthened the Fund's financial position. 
Two years of decreased distributions from the Fund have also 
lessened the burden on the Fund.
    However, despite the Fund's excellent performance over the 
past 18 months, it must still be closely monitored. Based on 
reasonable projections and economic assumptions, we will still 
have 385,000 members by the end of 2009, when the Fund's 
balance will be depleted.
    This is an improvement over what we heard in the Finance 
Committee's report a year ago, but the situation still clearly 
bears watching.
    Before closing, let me thank the other NFC members, 
National Adjutant Art Wilson, DAV's professional staff, and 
you, Commander McMasters. I am grateful for the support you've 
given me in my role as Finance Committee chairman. It has been 
an honor to serve on this important committee, but it has been 
an even greater pleasure to watch the DAV rebuild the financial 
strength it needs as it marches forward in the future.
    All of us understand that we are still traveling along the 
road toward the level of financial stability we believe our 
organization should enjoy. But the dark years are clearly in 
our past. Today we can take comfort and courage from the rapid 
progress we have made.
    Commander McMasters, this concludes my report.
    Commander McMasters. Thank you, Dean. Thank you for all the 
hard work this year.
    Mike 1.
    Mr. Frank Webb. Commander, Frank Webb, delegate from 
Chapter Number 9, Houston, Texas, makes a motion to accept his 
report with gratitude and thanks.
    Commander McMasters. There's a motion on the floor. Is 
there support? Mike 3.
    Mr. Christopher. Richard Christopher, past department 
commander, Massachusetts, so seconds the motion.
    Commander McMasters. Okay. The motion has been made and 
supported. Are you ready for the question? Ready for the 
question? All in favor, signify by Aye; opposed. It's carried. 
[Applause.]
<GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>

    Commander McMasters. At this time, the Chair will entertain 
a motion that the lists of delegates and alternates selected by 
the 21 national districts and the Blind Veterans Chapter to 
serve on convention committees be admitted into the record of 
the proceedings of the convention. Is there someone to offer 
that motion? Mike 3.
    Mr. Alan W. Bowers. Alan Bowers, department commander, 
moves action on that motion.
    Commander McMasters. Mr. Bowers, could you please----
    Mr. Bowers. Massachusetts Department commander.
    Commander McMasters. Thank you. We have the motion. Is 
there support? Mike 1.
    Mr. Cecil Stevenson. Stevenson, past national commander, 
seconds the motion.
    Commander McMasters. Okay. We have the motion and support 
that the lists of delegates and alternates selected by the 21 
national districts and the Blind Veterans Chapter to serve on 
convention committees be admitted into the record of the 
proceedings of this convention. Ready for the question? Ready 
for the question? All in favor, signify by Aye; opposed. It's 
carried.
    [Whereupon, the following are DAV National Convention 
Committees:]

            1996 NATIONAL CONVENTION, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Name (Delegate and    Chapter No. and 
            District                  alternate)             State      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS                        
                                                                        
01..............................  Frank J. Drogo....  NEC Del District  
                                                       56               
(Alt)...........................  Joseph A. Cosa....  Massachusetts 056 
02..............................  Sal R. Tornatore..  NEC DEL District  
                                                       60               
(Alt)...........................  Donald R. Warren..  New York 060      
03..............................  Stanley J. Hoy....  New Hampshire 001 
(Alt)...........................  Gordon J. Forrett.  Vermont 015       
04..............................  Michael A.          New Jersey 025    
                                   Christie.                            
(Alt)...........................  Joseph S. Wingate.  New Jersey 041    
05..............................  Harding Byrd......  Pennsylvania 015  
(Alt)...........................  Neno Peconi.......  Pennsylvania 053  
06..............................  Raymond Chatary...  Maryland 007      
(Alt)...........................  None..............  ..................
07..............................  Carolyn Virgil....  Florida 029       
(Alt)...........................  Michael Sorrentino  Florida 135       
08..............................  Jerry Worthington.  Tennessee 003     
(Alt)...........................  Billy R. Johnson..  Tennessee 116     
09..............................  Richard P. Geary..  North Carolina 016
(Alt)...........................  Jimmie Fraizer....  Georgia 000       
10..............................  Russell Spalding..  Michigan 020      
(Alt)...........................  Frank C. Krolczyk.  Michigan 127      
11..............................  William L. Moseley  Ohio 057          
(Alt)...........................  Raymond H.          Ohio 063          
                                   Hutchinson.                          
12..............................  Rosemarie R. Pitz.  Wisconsin 017     
(Alt)...........................  Robert Jansky.....  Illinois 022      
13..............................  Jesse L. Wright...  Kentucky 000      
(Alt)...........................  Harry S. Gaylord..  Kentucky 149      
14..............................  Alice J. Faulstich  Minnesota 001     
(Alt)...........................  William L.          Minnesota 001     
                                   Faulstich.                           
15..............................  Shirley R. Turner.  Missouri 002      
(Alt)...........................  Colon J. Busby....  Iowa 060          
16..............................  Patrick J. Carroll  California 012    
(Alt)...........................  Donald W. Stephen.  California 144    
17..............................  Kenneth D. Harden.  New Mexico 003    
(Alt)...........................  John L. Richard...  New Mexico 003    
18..............................  Robert C. Freitas.  Hawaii 000        
(Alt)...........................  Daniel R. Frias...  Hawaii 006        
19..............................  Virgil A. Barnett.  Idaho 022         
(Alt)...........................  Robert W. Vietz...  Washington 000    
20..............................  Roland A. Paquette  Texas 057         
(Alt)...........................  Derrell G. Neal...  Texas 175         
21..............................  Robert D. Cohoon..  Oklahoma 074      
(Alt)...........................  Thomas J. Davis,    Oklahoma 000      
                                   Jr.                                  
Blind Vets Chapter..............  Robert H. Dawson..  National Blind    
                                  Jarrett C. Quigley  National Blind    
Advisor: Charles D. Luttjohann.                                         
                                                                        
             COMMITTEE ON GENERAL RESOLUTIONS AND MEMBERSHIP            
                                                                        
01..............................  James H. Tanner...  Massachusetts 010 
(Alt)...........................  Edward R. Finn....  Massachusetts 010 
02..............................  Vincent A.          New York 027      
                                   Chiovarelli.                         
(Alt)...........................  Ronald D. Tears...  New York 015      
03..............................  Raymond V.          New Hampshire 000 
                                   Ritchotte.                           
(Alt)...........................  Ronald Nowe.......  New Hampshire 003 
04..............................  Kenneth A.          New Jersey 042    
                                   Grunewald.                           
(Alt)...........................  Redell G. Lewis...  Connecticut 009   
05..............................  Wilbert O'Neill...  Pennsylvania 061  
(Alt)...........................  Constance R.        Pennsylvania 057  
                                   Manocha.                             
06..............................  Ronald L. Smith...  Maryland 023      
(Alt)...........................  Robert V. Richard.  District of       
                                                       Columbia         
07..............................  James E. Sursely..  Florida 016       
(Alt)...........................  David Clayman.....  Florida 152       
08..............................  Jack W. Redell....  Louisiana 020     
(Alt)...........................  Charles Beaton....  Louisiana 020     
09..............................  Barry I. Souders..  North Carolina 005
(Alt)...........................  Coy W. Hennis.....  North Carolina 020
10..............................  John F. McCullough  Michigan 003      
(Alt)...........................  Billie-Nita Clark.  Michigan 093      
11..............................  Thomas K. Keller..  Ohio 103          
(Alt)...........................  David C.            Ohio 036          
                                   Uetterling.                          
12..............................  Philip C. Kreisa..  Wisconsin 019     
(Alt)...........................  Thomas Pappas.....  Illinois 042      
13..............................  Paul F. Wiggins...  Kentucky 019      
(Alt)...........................  John F. Houston...  Indiana 019       
14..............................  Harry F. Vandemore  South Dakota 001  
(Alt)...........................  Emmett P. Botten..  Minnesota 001     
15..............................  Everett Wilson....  Nebraska 000      
(Alt)...........................  Dennis L. Young...  Kansas 001        
16..............................  George E. Morey...  California 059    
(Alt)...........................  Howard Sites......  California 007    
17..............................  Benjamin Palomino.  Colorado 006      
(Alt)...........................  Paul W. Jackson...  Colorado 007      
18..............................  Charles N. Baker..  Nevada 011        
(Alt)...........................  Marco A. Espinosa.  Arizona 016       
19..............................  David Reeves......  Oregon 004        
(Alt)...........................  Guillermo J. Pajo.  Washington 035    
20..............................  Billy E. Wright...  Texas 219         
(Alt)...........................  Barie G. Poore....  Texas 001         
21..............................  Harold D. Pinney..  Oklahoma 003      
(Alt)...........................  Robert F. Klee....  Arkansas 001      
Blind Vets Chapter..............  Robert J. Burns...  National Blind    
                                  Buddy Spivey......  National Blind    
Advisors: Jerry P. Steelman and Rick Surratt.                           
                                                                        
              COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION AND VETERANS RIGHTS              
                                                                        
01..............................  Robert C. Sinclair  Massachusetts 114 
(Alt)...........................  Michael M. Maloof.  Massachusetts 002 
02..............................  Donald A. Sioss...  Past Natl         
                                                       Commander        
(Alt)...........................  William Novak.....  New York 005      
03..............................  Harry Mannine.....  Vermont 000       
(Alt)...........................  Gary P. Burns.....  Maine 001         
04..............................  Alfred Faticoni...  Connecticut 008   
(Alt)...........................  Charles A. Kashner  Delaware 000      
05..............................  John E. Ogozaly...  Pennsylvania 098  
(Alt)...........................  Calvin R. Hall....  Pennsylvania 064  
06..............................  Hugh M. Ferguson..  Maryland 000      
(Alt)...........................  None..............  ..................
07..............................  Richard E. Giese..  Florida 028       
(Alt)...........................  Ernest H. Hartman.  Florida 094       
08..............................  Lawrence L. Morris  Tennessee 003     
(Alt)...........................  Archbishop Forbes.  Tennessee 003     
09..............................  Phillip J. Seep...  North Carolina 016
(Alt)...........................  Torrance L. Adcock  South Carolina 030
10..............................  Harold W. La        Michigan 045      
                                   Ponsie.                              
(Alt)...........................  Eric D. Berryman..  Michigan 013      
11..............................  Eural E. Johnson..  Ohio 035          
(Alt)...........................  Richard M.          Ohio 098          
                                   Stoughton.                           
12..............................  Desmond Fortner...  Illinois 024      
(Alt)...........................  Paul H. Marheine..  Wisconsin 002     
13..............................  Joseph S. Carroll.  Indiana 052       
(Alt)...........................  Harry G. Erway....  Kentucky 155      
14..............................  Robert J. Connor..  Minnesota 002     
(Alt)...........................  Henry H. Sadler...  Minnesota 010     
15..............................  Prezell Frazier...  Iowa 020          
(Alt)...........................  Roger B. Drucker..  Nebraska 007      
16..............................  Don J. Pouliot....  California 002    
(Alt)...........................  Astro A. Tortolano  California 011    
17..............................  William Karr......  Colorado 007      
(Alt)...........................  Caroline D. Mason.  Colorado 021      
18..............................  Sharon A. Borgen..  Arizona 016       
(Alt)...........................  Fred F. Narcaroti.  Arizona 016       
19..............................  Charles W. Chapin.  Idaho 000         
(Alt)...........................  Dale P. Westlake..  Washington 045    
20..............................  James T. Smith....  Texas 009         
(Alt)...........................  Claude J. Boggs...  Texas 128         
21..............................  Lloyd G. McCool...  Arkansas 056      
(Alt)...........................  Bob Baley.........  Arkansas 000      
Blind Vets Chapter..............  ..................  National Blind    
Advisors: Thomas L. Tomlinson and Richard F.                            
 Schultz.                                                               
                                                                        
                  COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS                  
                                                                        
01..............................  Thomas J. Daley...  Massachusetts 049 
(Alt)...........................  Francis J. Daly...  Massachusetts 022 
02..............................  Sally Wilson......  New York 126      
(Alt)...........................  Alfred W. Nowak...  New York 120      
03..............................  Kenneth J. Kooyman  Rhode Island 012  
(Alt)...........................  Paul A. Wekenmann.  Rhode Island 009  
04..............................  Charles A. Carroll  New Jersey 000    
(Alt)...........................  James H. Fox......  New Jersey 024    
05..............................  Daniel R. Parker..  Pennsylvania 058  
(Alt)...........................  Joseph H. Buhl....  Pennsylvania 053  
06..............................  David L.            Virginia 015      
                                   Tannenbaum.                          
(Alt)...........................  German Bravo-Perez  Puerto Rico 001   
07..............................  John C. McCarthy..  Florida 004       
(Alt)...........................  Jimmy B. Meeks....  Florida 028       
08..............................  Hollis O. Bridges.  Alabama 026       
(Alt)...........................  Raymond E. Webb...  Alabama 013       
09..............................  Wallace E. Tyson..  North Carolina 046
(Alt)...........................  David Nesbitt.....  South Carolina 013
10..............................  Bonnie Maile......  Michigan 001      
(Alt)...........................  Donald R. Crull...  Michigan 001      
11..............................  Jack F. Feighner..  Ohio 001          
(Alt)...........................  Paul A. Hughes....  Ohio 117          
12..............................  Clyde E. Dartey...  Wisconsin 019     
(Alt)...........................  James J. Ferrara..  Illinois 055      
13..............................  Kenneth C. Kersey.  Indiana 000       
(Alt)...........................  Wallace E. Haskins  Kentucky 155      
14..............................  Wayne W. Blue.....  Minnesota 001     
(Alt)...........................  Jackie A. Owen....  Minnesota 022     
15..............................  Jim Edge..........  Kansas 000        
(Alt)...........................  Jerry Bay.........  Missouri 067      
16..............................  Kenneth G.          Past Natl         
                                   Musselmann.         Commander        
(Alt)...........................  Robert Salisbury..  California 094    
17..............................  Leon J. Kerstner..  Colorado 026      
(Alt)...........................  Dianah Nelson.....  Wyoming 000       
18..............................  Chas. D. Vincent..  Arizona 001       
(Alt)...........................  Robert E. McCallum  Arizona 001       
19..............................  Anne M. Ruppert...  Alaska 002        
(Alt)...........................  Jon C. Price......  Washington 005    
20..............................  William A. Bone...  NEC Del District  
                                                       57               
(Alt)...........................  Harry I. Kabler...  Texas 057         
21..............................  Donald M. Sampson.  Oklahoma 005      
(Alt)...........................  Clark H. Rogers...  Oklahoma 005      
Blind Vets Chapter..............  David May.........  National Blind    
                                  Dan Holden........  National Blind    
Advisors: Fred Bristol and Edward G. Galian.                            
                                                                        
                      COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND DUES                     
                                                                        
01..............................  Arthur S. Cushing.  Massachusetts 017 
(Alt)...........................  Arthur F. Kingsley  Massachusetts 115 
02..............................  David H. Wilson...  New York 000      
(Alt)...........................  Michael R. Marrone  New York 082      
03..............................  Edward S.           New Hampshire 001 
                                   Lastowski.                           
(Alt)...........................  Richard L.          Vermont 000       
                                   Decoteau.                            
04..............................  Richard J.          Connecticut 000   
                                   Hennesey.                            
(Alt)...........................  Herbert G. Henn...  New Jersey 032    
05..............................  Charles M. Turik..  Pennsylvania 067  
(Alt)...........................  Dwayne R. Deist...  Pennsylvania 000  
06..............................  William D. Wiggins  National Officer  
(Alt)...........................  George W. Parrish.  District of       
                                                       Columbia         
07..............................  Charles E. Heiney.  Florida 125       
(Alt)...........................  Walter R. Baker...  Florida 072       
08..............................  John A. Smith.....  Mississippi 011   
(Alt)...........................  James V. Mars.....  Mississippi 011   
09..............................  Gilbert Grier.....  Georgia 018       
(Alt)...........................  Billy J. Nix......  Georgia 001       
10..............................  David E. Smith....  Michigan 003      
(Alt)...........................  Dennis N. Emery...  Michigan 129      
11..............................  Gary R. Akers.....  Ohio 000          
(Alt)...........................  Harlan F. Plummer.  Ohio 071          
12..............................  George M. Isdale..  Illinois 000      
(Alt)...........................  Werner J. Schalow.  Wisconsin 005     
13..............................  Fred A. Sutton....  Indiana 009       
(Alt)...........................  Glen E. Vogel.....  Indiana 045       
14..............................  Dick A. Haan......  Minnesota 001     
(Alt)...........................  Jerome G. Krejci..  North Dakota 002  
15..............................  Walter Head.......  Missouri 000      
(Alt)...........................  Tom Morrissey.....  Nebraska 007      
16..............................  Joel C. Devenish..  California 043    
(Alt)...........................  Lewis D. Flanigan.  California 085    
17..............................  Hector D. Salgado.  New Mexico 033    
(Alt)...........................  Albert C. Derby...  Colorado 001      
18..............................  William D.          Nevada 013        
                                   Brzezinski.                          
(Alt)...........................  Henry A. Redding..  Nevada 034        
19..............................  Irene L. Martin...  Washington 045    
(Alt)...........................  Harold E. Wiley...  Washington 046    
20..............................  Eugene T.           Texas 012         
                                   Arrendale.                           
(Alt)...........................  Raymond A.          Texas 010         
                                   Rapisand.                            
21..............................  Frank E. Nye......  Oklahoma 049      
(Alt)...........................  Chesley Rutledge..  Oklahoma 029      
Blind Vets Chapter..............  ..................  National Blind    
Advisors: E. Dean Walker and Richard E. Patterson.                      
                                                                        
                         COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT                        
                                                                        
01..............................  Vincent P. Reed...  Massachusetts 025 
(Alt)...........................  John P. Rogers....  Massachusetts 115 
02..............................  Anthony Fusco.....  New York 000      
(Alt)...........................  Alvin L. Burks....  New York 076      
03..............................  Ronald W. Reilly..  New Hampshire 004 
(Alt)...........................  Roger A. Bourgery.  Vermont 003       
04..............................  Salvatore Lo Sauro  New Jersey        
(Alt)...........................  Justus Kehne......  Delaware 008      
05..............................  M. Rae White......  Pennsylvania 086  
(Alt)...........................  Joseph J. Baldwin.  Pennsylvania 098  
06..............................  Juan Mandes-Pagan.  Puerto Rico 001   
(Alt)...........................  Phillip W. Turpin.  Virginia 003      
07..............................  Albert Sorrentino.  Florida 030       
(Alt)...........................  Charles C. Perkins  Florida 040       
08..............................  James M. Cox......  Louisiana 030     
(Alt)...........................  Louis R. Ketchum..  Louisiana 030     
09..............................  Ernest H. Stroud..  South Carolina 014
(Alt)...........................  Hugh A. Mathis....  South Carolina 005
10..............................  John F. McComb....  Michigan 013      
(Alt)...........................  Ben Benzing.......  Michigan 018      
11..............................  Joseph K. Shepherd  Ohio 131          
(Alt)...........................  David R. Helton...  Ohio 115          
12..............................  James R. Harris...  Illinois 047      
(Alt)...........................  Joseph F. Guido...  Wisconsin 005     
13..............................  William A.          Kentucky 019      
                                   Reinhart.                            
(Alt)...........................  Lowell H. Spalding  Indiana 019       
14..............................  Chester D.          Minnesota 010     
                                   Hrdlicka.                            
(Alt)...........................  Richard D. Ryan...  North Dakota 000  
15..............................  Clifford M.         Kansas 001        
                                   Piersee.                             
(Alt)...........................  George Nickolas...  Iowa 002          
16..............................  John F. McCoy.....  California 019    
(Alt)...........................  Ruben R. Trejo....  California 039    
17..............................  Veda M. Jones.....  Utah 000          
(Alt)...........................  Donald C. Lougee..  Colorado 022      
18..............................  Thomas Caenen.....  Nevada 000        
(Alt)...........................  David G. Rock.....  Arizona 025       
19..............................  Jon C. Price......  Washington 005    
(Alt)...........................  Michael C. Kiser..  Washington 005    
20..............................  Armando C.          Texas 014         
                                   Albarran.                            
(Alt)...........................  Paul S. Hilliard..  Texas 003         
21..............................  Jimmie S. Foster..  Oklahoma 032      
(Alt)...........................  Donald R. Cox.....  Arkansas 057      
Blind Vets Chapter..............  ..................  National Blind    
Advisors: Mike Godich, Jr. and Ronald W. Drach.                         
                                                                        
              COMMITTEE ON HOSPITAL AND VOLUNTARY SERVICES              
                                                                        
01..............................  Richard Stentiford  Massachusetts 080 
(Alt)...........................  Edmund Corey......  Massachusetts 032 
02..............................  Bernard L.          New York 185      
                                   Robidoux.                            
(Alt)...........................  Claude A. Nelson..  New York 047      
03..............................  Harold F. Smith...  Maine 000         
(Alt)...........................  Bruce E. Kaplan...  Maine 006         
04..............................  Maurice E. Aims...  Connecticut 008   
(Alt)...........................  Louis B.            New Jersey 003    
                                   Washington.                          
05..............................  George I. Ford....  Pennsylvania 014  
(Alt)...........................  Eugene Davis......  Pennsylvania 015  
06..............................  Thomas C. Johns...  Maryland 007      
(Alt)...........................  Sloan H. Hoopes...  Virginia 003      
07..............................  Robert F. Melville  Florida 085       
(Alt)...........................  Elmer L. West.....  Florida 091       
08..............................  Francis L. Weaver.  Mississippi 011   
(Alt)...........................  Gerald E.           Mississippi 011   
                                   Humphries.                           
09..............................  William L. Coward.  Georgia 027       
(Alt)...........................  Louis Bodgan......  South Carolina 067
10..............................  Margherita Dupras.  Michigan 022      
(Alt)...........................  Roy A. Redmond....  Michigan 002      
11..............................  Harry E. Duffala..  Ohio 116          
(Alt)...........................  Jesse R. Stefanics  Ohio 009          
12..............................  Loran I. Bumpus...  Illinois 028      
(Alt)...........................  Vernon E.           Wisconsin 001     
                                   Schilling.                           
13..............................  Michael A.          Indiana 052       
                                   Whelihan.                            
(Alt)...........................  Harold L. Soult...  Indiana 052       
14..............................  Bruce T. Tuman....  Minnesota 009     
(Alt)...........................  Delbert Nelson....  Minnesota 001     
15..............................  Douglas E. Meeks..  Nebraska 000      
(Alt)...........................  Albert E. Miller..  Missouri 001      
16..............................  Henry A. Veillette  California 073    
(Alt)...........................  James C. Jenkins..  California 036    
17..............................  John O. Ognie.....  Colorado 007      
(Alt)...........................  None..............  ..................
18..............................  Donald F. Schmitt.  Arizona 016       
(Alt)...........................  William W. Wright.  Arizona 020       
19..............................  Harold Stevens....  Idaho 000         
(Alt)...........................  Mallory A. Hansen.  Oregon 028        
20..............................  Samuel Berman.....  Texas 009         
(Alt)...........................  Frank L. Webb.....  Texas 009         
21..............................  Frances Liotta....  Oklahoma 032      
(Alt)...........................  Robert W. Ellis...  Arkansas 007      
Blind Vets Chapter..............  ..................  National Blind    
Advisors: Henry Veillette and Norman B. Hartnett.                       
                                                                        
              COMMITTEE ON NOMINATION OF NATIONAL OFFICERS              
                                                                        
01..............................  Alan W. Bowers....  Massachusetts 000 
(Alt)...........................  Thomas J. Daley...  Massachusetts 049 
02..............................  Anthony L. Mirando  New York 145      
(Alt)...........................  Prospero Sodano...  New York 118      
03..............................  Joseph D.           Maine 000         
                                   MacDonald.                           
(Alt)...........................  Burton E. Packard.  New Hampshire 001 
04..............................  Joseph Trulio.....  New Jersey 000    
(Alt)...........................  John A. Higgins...  New Jersey 073    
05..............................  Jim Wyatt.........  Pennsylvania 115  
(Alt)...........................  William J.          Pennsylvania 057  
                                   Stockell.                            
06..............................  Joseph Reeves.....  Virginia 041      
(Alt)...........................  James Stewart.....  Maryland 007      
07..............................  Dennis A. Joyner..  Florida 104       
(Alt)...........................  Albert H. Linden..  Florida 090       
08..............................  Wendell Davis.....  Alabama           
(Alt)...........................  Thurston Mosely...  Alabama 000       
09..............................  James R. Murray...  North Carolina 012
(Alt)...........................  Michael J.          South Carolina 051
                                   Truscello.                           
10..............................  Leo J. Le Roux....  Michigan 114      
(Alt)...........................  Lowell G. McKeehan  NEC Alt District  
                                                       10               
11..............................  Andrew J. Offutt..  Ohio 103          
(Alt)...........................  Samuel E. Lanza...  Ohio 011          
12..............................  Ken Kuehnl........  Wisconsin 000     
(Alt)...........................  Ted Buck..........  Illinois 000      
13..............................  Franklin D.         Indiana 027       
                                   Littleton.                           
(Alt)...........................  James S. Powers...  Indiana 000       
14..............................  Gene A. Murphy....  Past Natl         
                                                       Commander        
(Alt)...........................  Joseph M.           North Dakota 002  
                                   Litzinger.                           
15..............................  Francis E.          NEC Del District  
                                   McLaskey.           15               
(Alt)...........................  Franklin C.         NEC Alt District  
                                   Bergguist.          15               
16..............................  Michael W.          California 001    
                                   Tempesta.                            
(Alt)...........................  Clyde Maddox......  California 028    
17..............................  Rudolph R. Vargas.  Colorado 022      
(Alt)...........................  Michael H. Terry..  Colorado 007      
18..............................  Lester L. Leichty.  Arizona 018       
(Alt)...........................  Robert T. Fletcher  Arizona 020       
19..............................  Jimmey W. Mayo....  Alaska 000        
(Alt)...........................  Frank Puleo.......  Washington 045    
20..............................  Bruce W. Burgess..  Texas 128         
(Alt)...........................  Andrew Flemming...  Texas 009         
21..............................  Irvin D. Eddy.....  Oklahoma 032      
(Alt)...........................  Cecil Stevenson...  Arkansas 026      
Blind Vets Chapter..............  Floyd O. Britting.  National Blind    
Advisors: Gene A. Murphy and William E. Leach.                          
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Commander McMasters. I'm now going to call on the chairman 
of the Hospital and Voluntary Services Convention Committee for 
his report. Mr. Tom Johns.
    Mr. Thomas C. Johns. Thank you, Commander. Good morning. 
Thank you, Commander. Comrade Commander and delegates: The 
National Convention Committee on Hospital and Voluntary 
Services was called to order for its first business session on 
July 29th, 1996 by the committee advisors, Norman B. Gabby 
Hartnett and Hank Veillette. The first order of business was 
the election of a convention committee chairman. Thomas C. 
Johns was nominated for chairman. There being no further 
nominations, nominations were closed, and Thomas C. Johns was 
elected chairman.
    The next order of business was the nomination and election 
of the secretary. Hank Veillette was nominated and elected as 
secretary of the committee.
    The committee then proceeded to review the resolutions 
submitted, and I will now report to you the resolutions 
recommended for adoption by this national convention. For the 
purpose of saving time, I will read only the number and the 
RESOLVED portions of those resolutions.
    Number 19, that the Disabled American Veterans in 
department convention assembled in Pierre, South Dakota, May 9 
to 11, 1996, seek the enactment of adequate appropriations for 
the funding of the Department of Veterans Affairs medical care 
program and vigorously oppose any further reduction DVA health 
care personnel.
    Number 61, that the national legislative director of the 
Disabled American Veterans oppose legislation that would 
require disabled retired veterans or their dependents to pay a 
user fee or charge to use military medical clinics and other 
outpatients facilities and to appear before the Armed Services 
Committees of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives or 
any committee which could implement a user's fee for the use of 
military or DVA outpatient medical clinics by disabled retired 
service personnel.
    Number 94, that the Disabled American Veterans in District 
4 convention assembled in Houston, Texas, March 9 and 10, 1996, 
seeks the enactment of legislation mandating the provisions of 
health care services, inclusive of gender-specific services by 
VA to eligible women veterans to the same degree and extent 
that services are provided to eligible male veterans, inclusive 
of counseling and/or psychological services incident to sexual 
violence; and be it further resolved that we urge VA to 
strictly adhere to stated policies regarding privacy issues 
relating to the treatment of women veterans and to pro-actively 
seek innovative methods to ensure women veterans receive the 
treatment they so rightfully deserve.
    Number 97. The regional VA hospital administrator issue a 
directive allowing patients to hand-carry their medical records 
in security bags which would allow the records to be at the 
scheduled clinics on time. The directive should also apply to 
any outpatient clinic that is located away from the main 
medical facility.
    Number 111, that the Disabled American Veterans at National 
Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 27 to 
August 1, vigorously support legislation that would require 
stricter adherent to the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
medical facilities to stated policies providing separate and 
distinct female in-patient rooms, bathroom facilities; to 
provide consistently adequate gender-appropriate treatment and 
facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs health care 
system.
    Number 168, that the Department of Massachusetts Disabled 
American Veterans assembled in state convention at Fitchburg, 
Massachusetts, June 1996, supports legislation to allow medical 
examinations and treatment for Persian Gulf veterans who are 
believed to be suffering from a disease which may be related to 
service in the Gulf War, and that such entitlement should be 
extended until definitive answers can be established concerning 
the Gulf-War related illnesses.
    Number 253, that the DAV National Convention assembled in 
New Orleans, Louisiana supports legislation in Congress that 
would authorize an increase in the charitable use standard 
mileage rate deduction to 16 cents per mile, which would 
reinstate the 1984 relationship with the business use standard 
mileage rate deduction; and be it further resolved that such 
legislation would authorize that the charitable use standard 
mileage rate deduction be permanently fixed to a fair 
percentage of the business use standard mileage rate deduction.
    Number 266, that the DAV National Convention continue to 
supports the established mission and objectives of the state 
veterans homes programs, and that the VA pay each state a per 
diem rate adequate for the continuum of providing quality care; 
and that it be further resolved that the program receives 
adequate funding for the construction, expansion, remodeling or 
acquisition of state veterans home facilities.
    Number 267, that the DAV National Convention in New 
Orleans, Louisiana vigorously opposes any national health 
insurance plan which proposes to incorporate the VA hospital 
system and has the effect the diminishing the VA's role of 
being the federal entity with primary responsibility for 
providing health care services to disabled veterans.
    Number 268, DAV National Convention in New Orleans opposes 
any legislation that would require the VA to recover third-
party payments for the care and treatment of veterans's 
service-connected disabilities.
    Number 269. The convention supports the enactment of 
legislation which would promote a broader and greater degree of 
sharing between the health care systems of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs and of the Department of Defense.
    Number 270, that the DAV Convention in New Orleans, 
Louisiana supports legislation guaranteeing access and a full 
continuum of care with guaranteed funding, maintaining VA as 
the primary responsible entity for the delivery of health care 
to eligible veterans and establishing an entitlement to VA 
health care services for a clearly defined category of 
veterans.
    Number 271, that the convention in New Orleans, Louisiana 
vigorously oppose a co-payment for service-connected disabled 
veterans in order to receive VA medications.
    Number 272, that the convention in New Orleans supports the 
enactment of legislation to amend Section 1728(a)(2) of Title 
38, U.S. Code providing for the consideration of reimbursement 
of certain medical expenses incurred by former prisoners of 
war.
    Number 273. The DAV Convention in New Orleans supports the 
enactment of legislation requiring VA to assume the total 
financial liability of such care for service-connected disabled 
veterans in the same manner and using the same criteria that 
outpatient services are furnished under Section 212, Title 38, 
U.S. Code.
    And I know you're ready for this, the last one, Number 274. 
DAV Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana go on record strongly 
recommending that each facility, although integrated, be 
permitted to retain their separate local VAVS Committees and 
volunteers with separate records and award ceremonies as at 
present prior to the integration.
    I would like to thank all the members of the committee for 
their hard work. We got through the meeting fairly well this 
morning, got a lot of work done.
    Comrade Commander, this completes the report of the 
Committee on Hospital and Voluntary Services, and I move the 
adoption of these resolutions and that the committee be 
discharged with the thanks of the national convention.
    [The above-mentioned resolutions follow:]

                    RESOLUTION NO. 019--LEGISLATIVE

 supporting adequate funding for the va health care program including 
                                staffing
    WHEREAS, underfunding of the VA Medical Care Program continues to 
hamper the VA's ability to provide timely, complete and quality health 
care to veterans; and
    WHEREAS, the Office of Management and Budget continues to seek 
reductions in the number of VA health care personnel; and
    WHEREAS, the results of fewer personnel equates to a reduced number 
of available and operating hospital beds for the treatment of eligible 
veterans; and
    WHEREAS, adequate funds should be provided to maintain and improve 
medical care for all of America's wartime disabled veterans in order to 
ensure that they will continue to receive medical care second to none; 
NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, seeks the enactment of adequate appropriations for the funding 
of the VA Medical Care program and vigorously opposes any further 
reduction in VA health Care personnel.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 061--LEGISLATIVE

  opposing the imposition of user fees for outpatient medical care at 
                      military medical facilities
    WHEREAS, military retirees have earned the right, by virtue of 
service to this Nation, to utilize military medical facilities to meet 
their medical care needs and those of their dependents; and
    WHEREAS, this earned benefit has been established by the Congress 
through the enactment of legislation entitling military retirees and 
their dependents to utilize military medical facilities to meet their 
medical care needs; and
    WHEREAS, the charging of a user's fee would adversely impact upon 
military retirees' financial and medical well-being; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, opposes any proposal that will require military retirees, or 
their dependents, to be charged a user's fee in order to obtain 
outpatient medical services at military medical facilities.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 094--LEGISLATIVE

  supporting adequate medical services and benefits for women veterans
    WHEREAS, women veterans accounted for 4.3 percent of the total 
veteran population in 1990, by the year 2000 women will represent 5.3 
percent of all veterans, and by 2040 they will make up about 11 percent 
of the total veteran population; and
    WHEREAS, women have always provided meaningful contributions to our 
armed services over the course of our Nation's history, most recently 
exemplified by the 33,000 women who served honorably in Southwest Asia 
performing combat and combat support functions; and
    WHEREAS, a recent General Accounting Office (GAO) report found that 
problems continue to confront women veterans when attempting to gain 
access to VA health care services, and VA remains unable to fully 
ensure privacy for women veterans; and
    WHEREAS, many women seeking VA health care find services 
unavailable or personnel unprepared to understand or deal with their 
specific needs; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, seeks enactment of legislation mandating the provision of 
health care services, inclusive of gender-specific services, by VA to 
eligible women veterans to the same degree and extent that services are 
provided to eligible male veterans, inclusive of counseling and/or 
psychological services incident to sexual violence, AND
    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge VA to strictly adhere to stated 
policies regarding privacy issues relating to the treatment of women 
veterans and to proactively seek innovative methods to ensure women 
veterans receive the treatment they so rightly deserve.
                                 ------
                                 

                   RESOLUTION NO. 097--ADMINISTRATIVE

 to allow veterans to hand carry their medical records to appointments
    WHEREAS, veterans' medical records are presently transferred by the 
medical records section to clinics for veterans's appointments; and
    WHEREAS, records may not be timely transferred between clinics in 
instances of multiple appointments; and
    WHEREAS, this results in inefficiency and inconvenience for 
physicians; and
    WHEREAS, the present procedure may cause delays for the veteran 
whose record is unavailable and subsequently scheduled veterans; and
    WHEREAS, allowing veterans to transport their own medical files for 
appointments would alleviate many problems; NOW
    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, urges the Veterans Health Administration of VA to issue a 
directive allowing patients to hand carry their medical records, 
appropriately secured, to clinic appointments.
                                 ------
                                 

                   RESOLUTION NO. 111--ADMINISTRATIVE

   to provide consistently adequate gender-appropriate treatment and 
  facilities by the department of veterans affairs health care system
    WHEREAS, current Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policies 
requires gender-oriented facilities for inpatient and outpatient 
treatment at VA medical facilities; and
    WHEREAS, many of these facilities do not, in fact, provide 
appropriate and distinct gender-specific inpatient rooms, bathroom, 
treatment rooms and outpatient chaperoning for the privacy and dignity 
of female veteran patients; and
    WHEREAS, we believe the VA needs to provide consistent guidance and 
enforcement of their stated gender-sensitive policies; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, vigorously supports strict adherence by each VA medical 
facility to stated policies providing separate and distinct female 
inpatient rooms, bathroom facilities, adequate and gender-appropriate 
treatment room equipment, and inpatient/outpatient female attendants 
during examining procedures to assure privacy and dignity to female 
veteran patients.
                                 ------
                                 

                   RESOLUTION NO. 168--ADMINISTRATIVE

     medical screening and treatment for persian gulf war veterans
    WHEREAS, American Armed Forces personnel were exposed to myriad 
environmental hazards in the Southwest Asia theater of operations 
during the Persian Gulf War; and
    WHEREAS, the full nature, extent, and consequences of this exposure 
is yet unknown; and
    WHEREAS, many Persian Gulf War veterans suffer from poorly 
understood, undiagnosed illnesses with a wide array of symptoms, 
commonly referred to as Persian Gulf Syndrome; and
    WHEREAS, the unique nature of these medical problems warrants 
special consideration and liberal authority for examinations, 
diagnoses, and treatment; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports the provision of continuing specialized examinations 
and medical treatment procedures for Persian Gulf War veterans.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 253--LEGISLATIVE

 in support of an increase in the standard mileage rate deduction for 
           use of private automobile in charitable activities
    WHEREAS, the DAV, on a national and local level, administers many 
worthwhile programs for veterans and their families utilizing volunteer 
services; and
    WHEREAS, current law authorizes unreimbursed, out-of-pocket 
expenses incurred by volunteers who render services to certain 
charitable organizations, such as the DAV, to be deducted for federal 
income tax purposes; and
    WHEREAS, when a volunteer operates an automobile in providing such 
services, the volunteer may deduct actual, out-of-pocket expenses (gas, 
oil, tolls, parking fees) or use a standard mileage rate deduction 
(plus tolls, parking fees); and
    WHEREAS, the current charitable use standard mileage rate 
deduction, set in 1984, is fixed at $0.12 per mile; and
    WHEREAS, this rate has not kept pace with the increased costs of 
operating an automobile, nor has it maintained its 1984 relationship 
with the standard mileage rate deduction for business purposes; and
    WHEREAS, an increase in the charitable standard mileage rate 
deduction is necessary in the interest of fairness and, more 
importantly, in the promotion of volunteerism and charitable services; 
NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports legislation in the Congress that would authorize an 
increase in the charitable use, standard mileage rate deduction to 
$0.16 per mile, which would reinstate the 1984 relationship with the 
business use, standard mileage rate deduction; AND
    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such legislation would authorize that 
the charitable use, standard mileage rate deduction be permanently 
fixed to a fair percentage of the business use, standard mileage rate 
deduction.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 266--LEGISLATIVE

              supporting the state veterans' home program
    WHEREAS, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) projects the 
number of veterans over the age of 65 will increase dramatically, 
peaking at 8.9 million by the year 1999; and
    WHEREAS, state veterans' homes are able to offer and provide 
quality nursing home, long-term, domiciliary, and hospital care to 
veterans in a cost-effective manner; and
    WHEREAS, there will be an ever-increasing number of veterans 
seeking the type of assistance offered by state veterans' homes due to 
advancing age and associated medical conditions; and
    WHEREAS, most planning, alterations and renovations for 
construction, expansion and/or modernization are predicated upon the 
availability of VA grant funds; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, continues to support the established mission and objectives of 
the State Veterans' Homes Program and that VA pay each state a per diem 
rate adequate for the continuation of providing quality care; AND
    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the program receive adequate funding 
for the construction, expansion, remodeling, or acquisition of state 
veteran's home facilities.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 267--LEGISLATIVE

opposing the inclusion of the va hospital system in any national health 
                             insurance plan
    WHEREAS, proposals to make the Department of Veterans Affairs 
hospital system part of a National Health Insurance plan have been 
suggested; and
    WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Disabled American Veterans to 
preserve high quality VA hospital and medical care for veterans with 
disabilities incurred in or aggravated by service in America's Armed 
Forces; and
    WHEREAS, the inclusion of the VA hospital system in a national 
health insurance plan would eliminate VA's ability to continue its 
special medical care programs, specifically designed for the treatment 
of veterans whose disabilities are incident to military service; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, vigorously opposes any national health insurance plan which 
proposes to incorporate the VA hospital system, or has the effect of 
diminishing the VA's role of being the Federal entity with primary 
responsibility of providing health care services to disabled veterans.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 268--LEGISLATIVE

    opposed third--party payments for service--connected disability
    WHEREAS, the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) mission is to 
provide high quality medical care to veterans eligible by reason of 
their service-connected disabilities; and
    WHEREAS, VA has the right to recover or collect the cost of care 
from third-party health insurers when insured veterans receive health 
care from VA for nonservice-connected conditions; and
    WHEREAS, the collection of payments from third parties for the 
treatment of veterans' service-connected disabilities would abrogate 
VA's and Federal Government's responsibility to provide such care and 
may result in increased premium payments to veterans; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, opposes any legislation that would require VA to recover 
third-party payments for the care and treatment of a veterans' service-
connected disability(ies).
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 269--LEGISLATIVE

 in support of increased sharing of resources between the health care 
  systems of the department of veterans affairs and the department of 
                                defense
    WHEREAS, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department 
of Defense (DoD) currently administer programs which provide a full 
range of medical care services to veterans, active duty personnel, 
military retirees and dependents; and
    WHEREAS, due to years of inadequate funding and increasing needs on 
the part of beneficiaries, both the VA and DoD health care systems are 
experiencing a crisis which endangers their respective missions; and
    WHEREAS, since 1982, the VA/DoD Health Resources Sharing and 
Emergency Operations Act has authorized sharing arrangements between 
these two systems for the purpose of minimizing duplication and under 
utilization of resources and promoting cost-effectiveness and 
improvement in the delivery of care; and
    WHEREAS, many VA and DoD treatment facilities have entered into 
sharing agreements that have proven mutually beneficial and enhanced 
their ability to provide hospital and medical care services; and
    WHEREAS, existing statutory constraints and less than concise and 
clear leadership directives from Washington, D.C., stand as a barrier 
to a full realization of this VA/DoD sharing potential; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports the enactment of legislation that would promote a 
broader and greater degree of sharing between the health care systems 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 270--LEGISLATIVE

   supporting the provision of comprehensive department of veterans 
           affairs health care services to entitled veterans
    WHEREAS, it is the position of the Disabled American Veterans that 
veterans should be afforded quality and timely health care services by 
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) because of their honorable 
service to our Nation; and
    WHEREAS, for well over a decade VA has been faced with the dilemma 
of ever-increasing demand for medical care and perennially inadequate, 
decremental budgets; and
    WHEREAS, because of various statutory and administrative barriers, 
veterans are denied adequate health care implicitly promised in 
connection with their military service; and
    WHEREAS, there is a critical need to clearly define eligibility for 
VA care, the services that will be provided, and how the system will be 
funded; and
    WHEREAS, any reform of VA must encompass, as a minimum, the 
following:
          Entitlement to care guaranteeing access to a full continuum 
        of care from preventive through hospice;
          Guaranteed funding through adequate appropriations, third 
        party reimbursements and ``start-up'' transition funding;
          Preserving VA's mission and role as a provider of special 
        services in areas such as blindness, amputation, aging, mental 
        health, and long-term care;
          Reduced centralized bureaucracy, permitting local medical 
        facility directors to utilize resources in the most efficient 
        and economical manner; and
          Maintaining the integrity of an independent VA health care 
        delivery system as representing the primary responsible entity 
        for the delivery of health care services to entitled veterans; 
        NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports legislation following the concepts and principles 
embodied above--establishing an entitlement to VA health care services 
for a clearly defined category of veterans.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 271--LEGISLATIVE

 opposing copayments by service-connected disabled veterans to receive 
                      va prescription medications
    WHEREAS, the ``Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990,'' (Public 
Law 101-508) imposes a $2.00 copayment for certain service-connected 
disabled veterans in order to receive VA prescription medications; and
    WHEREAS, the payment of copayment, for each 30-day supply of a 
prescribed medication causes financial hardships on veterans required 
to take multiple medications; and
    WHEREAS, the creation of such copayments was intended purely for 
the purpose of overall Federal budget reductions; and
    WHEREAS, service-connected disabled veterans have done more than 
their fair share and have already paid the price for earned entitlement 
to VA medical services; and
    WHEREAS, the imposition of prescription copayments is another 
earned benefit being denied service-connected disabled veterans; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, vigorously opposes a copayment for service-connected disabled 
veterans to receive VA medications.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 272--LEGISLATIVE

   provide for reimbursement of certain medical expenses for former 
                            prisoners of war
    WHEREAS, current law extends eligibility to former prisoners of war 
for hospital care, as well as outpatient treatment for any disability; 
and
    WHEREAS, former prisoners of war have endured numerous hardships 
and dietary deficiencies as a result of their internment; and
    WHEREAS, former prisoners of war may require medical treatment of 
an emergent nature to a degree that any delay could be hazardous to 
their health or life; and
    WHEREAS, a Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility may 
not be feasibly available to provide the necessary emergency medical 
care; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports the enactment of legislation to amend section 
1728(a)(2) of title 38 U.S.C., providing for the consideration of 
reimbursement of certain medical expenses incurred by former prisoners 
of war.
                                 ______
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 273--LEGISLATIVE

      supporting the provision of community residential care as a 
          responsibility of the department of veterans affairs
    WHEREAS, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has the 
authority--section 1730, title 38 U.S.C.--and utilizes such authority 
to assist veterans for placement in a community residential-care 
facility; and
    WHEREAS, VA's authority to assist veterans is limited to suitable 
placement in and approval of such facility after an appropriate 
inspection to determine compliance with certain established and defined 
health and safety standards; and
    WHEREAS, VA is not responsible for, nor assumes any financial 
liability for veterans residing in such facilities, receiving room and 
board, personal care and supervision, as an integral, necessary 
component of their overall treatment regime; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports the enactment of legislation requiring VA to assume 
the total financial liability of such care for service-connected 
disabled veterans, in the same manner and using the same criteria that 
outpatient services are furnished under section 1712, title 38 U.S.C.
                                 ______
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 274--LEGISLATIVE

             supporting retention of local vavs committees
    WHEREAS, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Honorable Jesse 
Brown, recently directed the integration of the sixteen VA Medical 
Centers into seven medical centers; and,
    WHEREAS, each of these VA medical centers have their own corps of 
volunteers and local VAVS Committees, with their own distinctive 
identity and pride; and
    WHEREAS, to combine them into groups identified with only the lead 
medical center would cause a loss of individual identity and pride in 
the several facilities they now serve and possibly lead to decreased 
support of volunteers and donations; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, go on record strongly recommending that each facility, 
although integrated, be permitted to retain their separate local VAVS 
Committees and volunteers, with separate records and award ceremonies 
as at present (prior to integration).
                                 ______
                                 
    Commander McMasters. Thank you, Mr. Johns. Is there support 
for his motion. Mike 2.
    Mr. Chad Vale. Chad Vale, Chapter 16, Illinois, makes a 
motion to accept these resolutions as read.
    Commander McMasters. We have the motion already on the 
floor. Would you like to support that motion? Mike 2, the 
motion has been made. Would you like to support that motion?
    Mr. Vale. Yes.
    Commander McMasters. Okay. Thank you. We have the motion on 
the floor. The motion's been made and supported. Ready for the 
question? All in favor, signify by Aye; opposed. It's carried.
    Congressman Steve Buyer was elected to the United States 
House of Representatives in 1992. He is in his second term 
representing Indiana's Fifth Congressional District, which 
includes 20 counties in North Central Indiana.
    He is a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and 
is chairman of the Education, Training, Employment and Housing 
Subcommittee. He has been a pioneer on health issues affecting 
active duty personnel and veterans and their families.
    During his first term in Congress, he co-authored 
legislation that provides health care and other aid to Persian 
Gulf veterans who suffer from as-yet undiagnosed illnesses 
known as Gulf War Syndrome.
    Congressman Buyer received his bachelor's degree in 
business administration from the Citadel and was commissioned 
as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He received his law 
degree from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1984. 
Following law school, he returned to active duty for three 
years with the United States Army as a member of the Judge 
Advocate General's Corps, where he was assigned as a special 
assistant to the U.S. Attorney in Virginia.
    In the fall of 1990, he was called to serve in the Persian 
Gulf War. Currently he serves as a member of the Army Reserve, 
where he holds the rank for major.
    Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming 
Congressman Steve Buyer. [Applause.]
    Congressman Steve Buyer. Thank you very much, Commander 
McMasters, and Senior Vice-Commander Greg Reed of Indiana. I 
know the Auxiliary national president is not in the room, but I 
pay respects to Barbara Hicks, and also to Indiana State 
Commander Ken Kersey is here, and the rest of my Indiana 
comrades who hopefully are setting over here. All right, guys.
    I also want to open up by sharing an insight with you, and 
the insight is that as I've served now for four years on the 
Veterans' Affairs Committee, I have enjoyed a working 
relationship with two individuals who are serving you and your 
organization very, very well. I don't believe there's anyone 
that is more sincere than these two gentlemen and they are very 
earnest in their efforts and their sincerity, and that is Rick 
Schultz and Ron Drach.
    I also want you to know that I bring greetings from Bob 
Stump, the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee in the 
House. I also bring greetings from a very good friend and 
colleague of mine and a comrade of all of us, and that is Sonny 
Montgomery. [Applause.]
    I want to share something with you, that in the 1960s there 
was a scene that occurred that's played all across America. In 
the 1960s, I was a little boy that used to stand on the 
sidewalk holding a little American flag as I watched these 
Legionnaires and the DAV and VFW come marching up the street. 
They called it marching; I wasn't sure what it was. But they 
were coming down the street. And I was there, probably there 
anxious really to pick up the brass, so that I could pick up 
that brass and blow into it.
    But you know, I want you to know that I came from an 
American Legion family. My father is presently a district 
commander for the American Legion, and my mother just a few 
weeks ago was elected the Indiana State Auxiliary president of 
the American Legion. So I come from a family that has lived 
veterans' issues, and I didn't dream, I guess, in the 1960s 
that I would now stand here humbly before you as a life member 
of Amvets, the American Legion and the VFW.
    I suppose that individuals who know me, have seen me speak, 
know that I don't mix words. I'm very direct, very blunt, and I 
guess candor is a bastard term in Washington, D.C., but I think 
being straight with people is what's important. And I also 
suppose that using the satire of Secretary Brown's remarks 
yesterday, I am the ``Young and Restless,'' trying to turn this 
country into ``Another World,'' that throws children out of 
hospitals.
    You see, ladies and gentlemen, that is called partisan 
politics, and I know that the VSOs pride themselves on 
bipartisanship. But I also know that we should be 
straightforward with ourselves.
    I mean, I know that when my father ran for the district 
commander, the only place I know that there's more politics is 
perhaps in Little League. Right? (Laughter) I mean, to say 
there isn't politics in our organizations, let's be truthful 
with ourselves.
    But if the Secretary has become very partisan in his 
politics, I accept that, I really do. I just don't believe that 
you should use veterans and veterans' issues to legitimize 
political causes. I think that's wrong. You see, no one ever 
asked me, and I'm sure no one ever asked you that when you 
stood and took the oath, whether you were Republican or whether 
you were a Democrat. When you wore the uniform, you wore the 
uniform to defend the Constitution to lay down your life to 
protect this country.
    And that is the same sincerity in which I serve on the 
Veterans' Affairs Committee. We pride ourselves on the 
Veterans' Affairs Committee in our bipartisan nature on the 
issues, and it is led by the pace, by Chairman Stump and 
Ranking Member Montgomery.
    Let me also share with you that as the ``Young and 
Restless,'' I believe we can do better. That's why I'm the 
``Young and Restless,'' whether it's improving the economy to 
our families, to the environment or our moral fiber. You see, I 
believe that our country still needs you. They still need you, 
because there are individuals in our society that try to seek 
and change us from a country that was established on very 
strong Biblical principles to a country of humanistic 
principles, that people can do whatever they want so long as it 
feels good and doesn't hurt others, whether it's from same sex 
marriages to you name it.
    I believe that what guides a country through the storm of 
chaos is a good moral fiber, a strong and deep rudder, and with 
individuals at the helm who are strong in character. It's easy 
to sail a boat on a windless day under blue sky and on calm 
seas, but to carry that boat through stormy waters into the 
chaos, you need good moral fiber and good strong character.
    That's why your country still needs you. That's why your 
communities still need you. Because individuals in your 
community look up to you.
    National character is extremely important. I believe that 
there are many things and places that define our national 
character. Our strength comes from our struggles and our 
triumphs, from the revolution where revolutionaries first ran 
at Lexington Green, to the place on the Old North Bridge in 
Concord, Massachusetts that marks the spot where merchants and 
farmers first took a stand and challenged the British Army on 
April 19th of 1775.
    Our national character, though, is clearly defined through 
the emotions of war. War has been with us through the ages. 
From those of us who have participated to others who've 
witnessed, stories have been told and written, each capturing 
some form of glory. War may be glorious in verse or prose, but 
in reality it is not. It is the soldier, the sailor, the airman 
or the Marine who felt the cold stings of battle, they've 
witnessed the long dark shadows of horror, and they've 
challenged the face of death.
    You see, war is not glorious, but glory is found in new 
levels of courage exercised from the American character, common 
people called upon to perform uncommon acts of valor. And 
through that sacrifice, our challenge is that it shall never be 
in vein. We have a very strong heritage, a very strong 
heritage. As a member of the National Security Committee and 
the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I take my responsibilities 
very serious, because it begins the day someone takes an oath 
all the way to the bronze marker laid upon the grave.
    Let me begin by thanking the President of the United States 
for his remarks yesterday in regard to terrorism. I worked as a 
conferee on the anti-terrorism bill and with the Senate, and 
went with Henry Hyde down to the White House for the signing of 
that bill. I think his remarks were very appropriate.
    It also shows that the world is still yet a dangerous 
place, that the Russian bear has been replaced by a thousand 
vipers, that this is no time to deeply cut the budgets of the 
defense. It's easy to say I'm for a strong defense, but you 
must look at the deed. While the Cold War is over, I think the 
U.S. security interests endure, and as we move into closing 
years of the 20th century, our nation faces a series of new and 
serious challenges.
    As the sole remaining super power, the United States is 
called upon to provide stability and leadership in the 
uncertain world, and we can do that by providing the regional 
stability, not involving the United States in every corner of 
the world for what is termed as moral obligations, placing our 
troops under these powder blue hats and saying now they're 
extending Americans' cause. No. It must be done to protect 
vital national security interests.
    History shows us that now is not the time to reduce our 
military forces, yet the greatest open secret in Washington, 
D.C. and to the world is that we have a national security 
objective to fight and win two nearly simultaneous major 
regional conflicts. The reality is, ladies and gentlemen, we do 
not have a military force structure to do that. We should do a 
reassessment of our national security objectives and be honest 
and open with our allies, whether it be in the Pacific Rim to 
the European Theater.
    The current estimates are that the military forces are 
presently underfunded from the bottom-up review--I don't care 
if it's from the most liberal estimate to the most conservative 
estimate--from 60 to a hundred billion shortfall. Sixty to a 
hundred billion! The defense spending continues to decline. The 
House proposal for the FY '97 budget at $266.7 billion, when 
adjusted for inflation, represents the 12th straight year of 
decline in defense spending.
    When measured as a share of the GDP, defense spending will 
only be 2.2 percent level since before World War II. You should 
also note from our budgetary concerns that interest payment on 
our national debt exceeds what we pay for national defense for 
the first time in our history.
    Since the end of the Cold War, we have cut 11 Air Force 
fighter wings, 8 active Army divisions, 200 ships, a 27 percent 
cut in the active military manpower. This year in testimony 
before the House National Security Committee, the chairman of 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Shalikashvili, stated that 
to maintain readiness, to maintain military readiness, he 
needed $60 billion in the procurement account to replace the 
aging equipment. The chairman went on to say that we have 
preserved readiness and forestructure at the expense of 
modernization.
    You see, in the President's budget that was provided, 
provide only 38.9 billion, the lowest level in over 50 years. 
We are living off our procurement and our O and M for today and 
sacrificing the future. You need to know that.
    You know that because individuals such as myself are 
attacked. We're attacked by their saying, ``Well, Steve, you're 
plussing up defense at levels that the Pentagon's not even 
asking for.'' Well, there's some gamesmanship that is going on 
here, ladies and gentlemen. The gamesmanship is that they don't 
want the defense spending to go up, so they cut deep into 
defense. As a matter of fact, the cuts went so deep into 
places, we didn't even have funding for 475 million for the 
military health care delivery system. Like what? We're not 
going to pay doctors and nurses? So we have to plus the budget 
to actually provide for readiness in O and M, and I wanted you 
to know that.
    Let me share some outlines with you with regard to our 
veterans' issues. Oh, before I do that, let me share one other 
thing with you. With Sonny Montgomery leaving the Congress--
Sonny has not only done great work on behalf of veterans in the 
country, what he has done in his service to the nation on 
national security issues is just as admirable. What Sonny has 
done in the total force concept for the integration of the 
Reserve, the National Guard with the active force, has been 
remarkable over the years.
    With Sonny leaving, Paul McHale, Democrat from 
Pennsylvania, and I have formed a Reserve Components Caucus. I 
believe it will take--and 50 members have signed up to it--I 
think it will take about 52 of us members to equal Sonny 
Montgomery and what he's done. But I wanted you to know what 
we've done in that cause for the interest of our Reserve 
components to include the Coast Guard, the National Guard, and 
all Reservists.
    I am also standing here pleased and proud with the 104th 
Congress and its accomplishments on behalf of veterans. The 
104th Congress, I believe, is extending its honor to their 
nation's veterans, and we're also keeping the faith. The 
veterans' funding has increased. Veterans' programs have been 
and will continue to be the high priority program in this 
Congress.
    According to the House Budget Committee, the total VA 
spending from 37.8 billion in FY '96 has increased to 39.8 
billion in FY '97. During the next six years, more than 234.3 
billion will be spent on veterans' programs, 19.7 billion more 
than the previous six years; funding increases, even though the 
number of veterans is estimated to decline by 11 percent, or 
2.6 million by year 2002.
    One thing I want to be up front with you is the budget that 
was sent to us by the President. The President's budget did not 
pass muster. The House VA HUD appropriations bill. We spend 
eight million more on VA medical care and research in FY '97 
than the President's budget, and 10.6 billion more than the 
President's budget over six years. We spend 10.6 billion more 
than the President's budget over six years.
    I know the President was here, and he said, you know, 
``I've asked for an increase of $1 billion, and they cut it.'' 
I want you to note that the $1 billion plus-up is made in a 
political presidential season, that when you look at the out 
years, even Secretary Brown called the budget cuts devastating 
to the VA.
    Let me share with you, in the subcommittee we took up the 
issue--and it's one that you've discussed with many other VSOs, 
except for the American Legion--the Davenport versus Brown 
decision to bring back the service connection with voc. 
rehabilitation. Out of my subcommittee became the bill that 
passed the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and has passed the 
House. We overturned that decision, and we came up with money 
in the process.
    The President's budget wanted to take all that money and 
put it to deficit reduction. I said No. We put over $230 
billion back into veterans' program. When we have an 
opportunity to streamline veterans's programs and increase 
them, then let's do it. So I felt very good about being able to 
overturn this decision and find monies.
    The 230 billion, let me give you a quick outline of the 
program improvements and their six years' cost and what they 
include. They are allowing the surviving spouse to retain 
compensation or pension payments prorated to the date of death 
instead of the end of the month before a veteran died. That was 
a $70 million increase. We're also increasing from one to two 
years the period of time for which accrued benefits are payable 
to a surviving spouse in the case of a veteran who dies while a 
claim is being adjudicated. That's an increase of $17 million.
    Establishing a pilot program under which contract 
physicians would provide disability examinations to applicants 
for VA benefits was an increase of 14 million. We also 
increased the automobile allowance. That's an increase of six 
million. We extended the homeless veterans' reintegration 
project through fiscal year 1999, authorizing appropriations in 
the amount of ten million per year. We also increased the 
authorized funds to legal assistance organizations representing 
financially needy veterans in proceedings before the U.S. Court 
of Veterans' Appeals. That's at a cost of six million.
    I also increased the Montgomery GI Bill active duty monthly 
basic rates to $421.62. That was a cost of $92 million. We're 
also allowing the transfer of certain active duty service 
members to the Montgomery GI Bill from the post-Vietnam era 
educational assistance program. That's an increase in cost of 
$18 million. We're also providing Montgomery GI Bill 
eligibility for certain active duty members of the Army and Air 
National Guard. That was at $14 million. We're also removing 
the two-year restriction on all standard degree granting 
institutions.
    And veterans are being told that spending is being 
decreased when in fact it's being increased. I wanted to share 
that with you. Five hundred million increase over 1996 in VA 
health care for FY `97 in the House VA HUD appropriations bill 
is 60 million more than what the President had requested.
    The congressional budget--I'm going to say it again--
provides $10.6 billion more over the VA over the next six years 
than the President's budget. And Secretary Brown was before us 
at the full Veterans' Affairs Committee when he said that the 
President's budget in the out years is devastating the VA and 
therefore, he said, ``I received this assurance from the 
President that we get to negotiate the budget year by year.''
    Well, if you negotiate the budget year by year, then please 
tell me up front where you're taking the money from? Where are 
you going to take the money from? And they're unwilling to 
discuss that.
    Tomorrow--I wanted you to know also what's happening on the 
House floor--the House will pass H.R. 3118. It's reforming the 
VA health care eligibility to move the VA from a costly in-
patient model. The VA will provide all needed outpatient care 
services, including preventive care and home health care. 
That's been in a bipartisan nature. I believe it will pass 
overwhelmingly on the House floor.
    The House will also pass H.R. 3586 tomorrow, which will 
extend veterans' preference eligibility to all veterans with at 
least four years of service upon honorable discharge. This bill 
extends veterans' preference to all agencies. As I sat there in 
my office, I kept thinking, why is it we're not applying 
veterans' preference across the board? And as we're down-sizing 
government in these RIF procedures, there is a culture within 
the bureaucracies that has a bias against veterans.
    Let's make sure that the veterans are protected, and that 
the veterans' preference has meat in it. And so we are 
extending veterans' preference to all branches of government, 
the executive branch, the Executive Office of the White House, 
that has only four percent veterans; to the judiciary branch 
and the legislative branch. And I think that's extremely 
important to do that. [Applause.]
    Let me just close with this, and I'm hopeful that in the 
105th Congress that the issue with regard to flag desecration 
is brought back up. In 1992, I recall the speeches by Bill 
Clinton that he made a promise to veterans that he would make 
sure that that bill passed, when in reality he campaigned 
against the bill and it was defeated in the Senate. That's a 
fact, ladies and gentlemen.
    And I believe, though, if we get behind this, not only you, 
but all VSOs, we can prevent the desecration of the American 
flag. Now, I know that there are some that like to stand up and 
talk about the Constitution. There aren't enough hay wagons in 
Indiana that they can stand on to convince me that it's 
permissible to desecrate the American flag. [Applause.]
    Let me just say in closing, I want to share with you on two 
things as I was reading. I was reading some--I love to read 
history. It's one of the legacies my father gave me. The other 
one I'm not so sure about. He made me a Cubs fan. [Laughter.] I 
guess you can tell I'm loyal. I think that, you know, if the 
Soviet Union can be no more, I think the Cubs can win the World 
Series. It'll happen.
    But as I was reading a passage--it was about World War II 
in the European Theater, and there was an individual that 
talked about an event that occurred. And even some of you in 
this room, as you marched across Europe, you left freedom in 
your footsteps. On the battlefield there was someone who was 
mortally wounded, and there was no one around to hear his last 
words. So he pulled from his pocket a pad and he wrote down 
some words, and when the bodies were policed from the 
battlefield, they found in his hand these words on the pad, and 
it said, ``When you go home, tell them that I gave this day for 
their tomorrow.'' Those are very powerful words.
    And later on in another chapter, I read where General 
Patton, when he went to his cemetery, he stood there and he 
looked at all the little white crosses and the Stars of David, 
and he said, ``I'm not here to pay honor to those who've died 
for their country. I'm here to pay homage and thank God that 
they lived.''
    I'm here to thank God that they lived and to thank you for 
your sacrifices. As I leave here and go back to Washington and 
you're going back to your homes, I want you to know I believe 
you live in luxury. You live in luxury because you get to go 
home and have conversations with people, and the words that you 
extend and exchange between each other have meaning. I get to 
go back to Washington, and I deal with people where words have 
no meaning. [Laughter and applause.]
    ``I say it, but I don't believe it.'' They utter words 
between themselves as though they're factually challenged. 
Words are meant to have meaning. Don't say it unless you mean 
it. Character matters. Character matters, ladies and gentlemen. 
[Applause.]
    But I want you to know I believe, I believe that it is 
honorable, I believe that it is noble, and it is pleasing to 
move our minds in charity, rest in Providence and move upon the 
polls of our minds in charity, rest in Providence and move upon 
the polls of truth. Coupled with our heritage and a strong 
character, we'll guide our country to higher ground. God bless 
you [Applause.]
    Commander McMasters. Thank you, Congressman Buyer.
    At this time, I'm going to call the Employment Committee 
chairman, Vincent Reed.
    Mr. Vincent P. Reed. Thank you, Commander. Comrade 
Commander and delegates: I'm privileged to present the report 
of your Convention Committee on Employment. The National 
Convention Committee on Employment was called to order for its 
first business session on July 29th, 1996 by the committee 
advisors, Ronald Drach and Mike Godich.
    The first order of business was the election of a committee 
chairman. Vincent Reed was nominated as chairman. There being 
no further nominations, nominations were closed and Vinny was 
elected chairman. The next order of business was the nomination 
and election of a secretary. M. Rae White was nominated and 
elected as secretary of the committee.
    The committee then proceeded to review the resolutions 
submitted, and I'll now report to you the resolutions 
recommended for adoption. For the sake of saving time as we 
approach lunch, I will read the approved resolutions' number 
and title that gives its RESOLVED. The following have been 
approved by the committee:
    Resolution 23. Oppose the transfer of vets to the 
employment and training administration.
    255. To transfer Veterans Employment and Training Service 
to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    101. Veteran's preference established in one-stop centers 
was adopted as amended by the committee.
    100. Veterans' preference in block grants adopted as 
amended by the committee.
    138. To provide for veterans' preference in all JTPA 
programs was adopted.
    Resolution 275 from the interim was to amend the rules of 
this convention as it applies to the business done by the 
committee was adopted.
    171. To amend the definition of disabled veterans for 
purposes of benefits administered under Chapter 42, Title 38, 
United States Code.
    Number 64. Affirmative action program for disabled veterans 
in government contracts.
    Number 192. To amend Section 4103(a)(1) of Title 38 to 
amend the DVOP preference to allow the appointment of a 
qualified disabled veteran with priority for Vietnam Era 
disabled vets.
    256. Veterans' preference for state assistance and 
training, employment and education.
    257. To amend the residency requirements for state 
directors and assistant state directors for the Veterans 
Employment and Training Service.
    Number 063. Affirmative action for the employment of 
disabled veterans.
    65. Allow disabled veterans retired from military on 
disability to count service time towards civil service 
retirement.
    258. To provide direct loans in set-asides at Small 
Business Administration for disabled vets.
    Resolution 21. Support veterans' preference in all public 
employment.
    143. Establish an outreach to the women veterans of the 
nation. That was adopted as amended by the committee.
    Number 22, Adequate funding and permanencies for veterans' 
employment and training programs, including NVTI, SBA, DVBOP, 
LVER and the homeless program.
    102. To maintain the assignment of responsibility for 
federal employment for veterans to the national level.
    141. Employer incentives for retraining disabled veterans.
    Number 99. Supporting House Resolution 1593, veterans' 
preference in all federal employment and training programs.
    Resolution 262. To amend Chapter 42 of Title 38 to include 
grants under affirmative action.
    Number 263. To provide an appeal process for veterans who 
believe their veterans' preference rights of affirmative action 
rights have been violated.
    264. To amend the definition of a disabled veteran for the 
purpose of benefits administered under Chapter 42, Title 38, 
United States Code.
    Number 142. To provide for vocational rehabilitation 
employment assistance.
    259. To expand the authority for unpaid work experience in 
a resume.
    Number 260. The VR&C staff to be provided state-of-the-art 
equipment to do their jobs.
    Number 261. The DVOP should be part of the VA vocational 
rehabilitations integrated case management system.
    And last, 265, to ensure veterans' preference in the United 
States Postal Service.
    Comrade Commander and comrades, this completes my reports. 
My thanks go to all the committee members who are in 
attendance, those who were alternates who helped out and gave 
their input, especially Ron and Mike, our two able advisors, 
and to the secretary that I had the pleasure of serving with 
today and on this committee previously, who's on stage with me 
today, Rae.
    And Comrade Commander, this completing the report, I move 
the adoption of these resolutions, and that my committee be 
discharged with the thanks of this convention.
    [The above-mentioned resolutions follow:]

                    RESOLUTION NO. 021--LEGISLATIVE

          supporting veterans' preference in public employment
    WHEREAS, the Disabled American Veterans has strongly supported 
federal, state and local veterans' preference laws; and
    WHEREAS, attempts are being made to weaken, dilute and circumvent 
existing veterans' preference laws; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports veterans' preference in federal, state and local 
employment.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 022--LEGISLATIVE

    adequate funding and permanency for veterans' employment and/or 
    training including nvti, sba, dvop, lver, and homeless programs
    WHEREAS, there are numerous veterans' employment and training 
programs that need adequate staffing and funding; and
    WHEREAS, those programs include the Veterans' Employment and 
Training Service of the Department of Labor, LVER and DVOP, JPTA, SBA, 
NVTI, Homeless and others; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, seeks and supports adequate funding and permanency for all 
veterans' employment and training programs.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 023--LEGISLATIVE

 oppose the transfer of the veterans' employment and training service 
       (vets) to the employment and training administration (eta)
    WHEREAS, Vice President Gore has established a ``National 
Performance Review'' to make recommendations to improve government; and
    WHEREAS, it recently came to the attention of the National 
Employment Director that a recommendation is included in that review to 
transfer VETS to ETA; and
    WHEREAS, part of that proposal abolishes all the positions at the 
regional level, as well as the State and Assistant State Director 
positions; and
    WHEREAS, this proposal effectively eliminates VETS; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, oppose any efforts by this administration to transfer VETS to 
ETA.
                                 ------
                                 

                   RESOLUTION NO. 063--ADMINISTRATIVE

         affirmative action for employment of disabled veterans
    WHEREAS, Congress has enacted a law requiring an Affirmative Action 
program for disabled veterans in federal government employment; and
    WHEREAS, many disabled veterans now working for the federal 
government are not being afforded the opportunity for training, which 
would provide them with the necessary knowledge and/or experience 
needed for promotion to higher grades; and
    WHEREAS, there currently does not exist a procedure for enforcing 
the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 4214 and 5 CFR part 720 for disabled 
veterans; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, seek enforcement provisions and protections for disabled 
veterans.
                                 ------
                                 

                   RESOLUTION NO. 064--ADMINISTRATIVE

    affirmative action program for disabled veterans in government 
                               contracts
    WHEREAS, currently the government requires contractors that are 
awarded contracts by the federal government to have an Affirmative 
Action program; and
    WHEREAS, more definitive contract guidance needs to be provided 
government contractors on the requirements of the affirmative action 
program for disabled veterans; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, seeks changes to the regulations which would require all 
government contractors that receive an award over $25,000 to have an 
Affirmative Action program for disabled veterans that would mandate 
these employers to seek out disabled veterans to be employed, train 
these disabled veterans so that they can progress in employment, and to 
promote these disabled veterans on the same basis as that which is 
required for, or provided to, minority and/or women under other 
affirmative action programs of the federal government.
                                 ------
                                 

                   RESOLUTION NO. 065--ADMINISTRATIVE

  allow disabled veterans retired from the military on disability to 
           count service time toward civil service retirement
    WHEREAS, military personnel who are injured during time of war and 
who are then retired because of their service-connected disabilities 
deserve to receive the full benefit of their disability retirement; and
    WHEREAS, men and women who are retired for disability from the 
military and seek employment with the federal government cannot count 
their few years of service towards civil service retirement unless they 
waive their disability retired pay; and
    WHEREAS, retired reservists can draw retirement from civil service 
and the military service for the service rendered during the same 
period of years without reduction to their civil service time or any 
requirement to waive their military retired pay in order to receive 
full civil service retirement; and
    WHEREAS, ex-servicemen and women who only draw Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation for their service-connected 
disability can receive both the VA compensation and civil service 
retirement pay without waiver of one for the other; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, seek legislation to change the law which now prohibits 
disabled military retirees, disabled from any cause except willful 
misconduct, and who served during a period of declared national 
emergency, war or police action, to be entitled to count their service 
time towards civil service retirement provided that they pay a sum 
equal to 7 percent of their military pay into the civil service 
retirement trust fund or FERS (without interest) to cover the pay they 
received during those years, for the purpose of counting their time 
towards civil service retirement.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 099--LEGISLATIVE

 support of h.r. 1593 veterans preference in all federal employment & 
                           training programs
    WHEREAS, it is a National responsibility to provide veterans' 
preference in all employment and training services available in the 
United States; and
    WHEREAS, it is not practical nor feasible to devolve this 
responsibility to the States because this will weaken or eliminate the 
current preference for veterans mandated by Title 38 U.S.C.; and
    WHEREAS, H.R. 1593 as proposed by Representative Sonny Montgomery 
seeks to provide veterans' preference for all Federally funded 
employment and training programs; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, hereby supports passage of H.R. 1593.
                                 ------
                                 

                   RESOLUTION NO. 100--ADMINISTRATIVE

                  veterans' preference in block grants
    WHEREAS, over the past 50 plus years Congress has declared its 
intent that veterans and disabled veterans receive preference and 
priority in all employment and training services administered by the 
Department of Labor; and
    WHEREAS, the current direction and movement of the Congress is 
towards block grant process with the states deciding how the reduced 
funds for employment and training are to be expended; and
    WHEREAS, there are no provisions under the Block Grant process for 
continuing or addressing this covenant with our nation's veterans/
disabled veterans; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, strive to ensure that any and all legislation relating to 
employment and training initiatives that is considered, provides clear 
priority of services to veterans/disabled veterans; AND
    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that oversight and monitoring of these 
initiatives continue to be conducted by the appropriate agency within 
the Department of Labor.
                                 ------
                                 

                   RESOLUTION NO. 101--ADMINISTRATIVE

            veterans' preference in one-stop service centers
    WHEREAS, the Texas Legislature has enacted H.B. 1863 which 
consolidated the Texas Department of Commerce and the Texas Employment 
Commission into one agency, the Texas Work Force Commission; and
    WHEREAS, this legislation also created local boards which will be 
responsible for administering the employment and training funds that 
will assist local job seekers including veterans in accessing on the 
job training, classroom training and the operation of the one-stop 
centers; and
    WHEREAS, other states are taking similar actions; and
    WHEREAS, the employment and training needs of veterans/disabled 
veterans continue to expand due to the downsizing of the military; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, seek legislation mandating that disabled and other veterans 
receive preference and priority in all employment and training services 
provided at the One-Stop Centers.
                                 ------
                                 

                   RESOLUTION NO. 102--ADMINISTRATIVE

retain nationwide programs of employment assistance for veterans as the 
                responsibility of the federal government
    WHEREAS, throughout the nearly two hundred and twenty-year history 
of the United States, the men and women of this nation have served in 
the Armed Forces in the interest of the collective body of states, 
united under a central federal government, ``to provide for the common 
defense,''; and
    WHEREAS, title 38 U.S.C. Sec. 4301, Congress expressed its purpose 
in enacting the Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment rights 
Act of 1994 (USERRA), in part ``to encourage non-career service in the 
uniformed services by eliminating or minimizing the disadvantage to 
civilian careers and employment which can result from such service,''; 
and
    WHEREAS, it has been the finding of numerous surveys and studies 
that, for a variety of reasons, the vast majority of veterans/disabled 
veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States are disadvantaged in 
pursuing civilian employment and careers; and
    WHEREAS, in title 38 U.S.C. Sec. 4101, ``The Congress declares as 
its intent and purpose that there shall be an effective (1) job and job 
training counseling service program, (2) employment placement service 
program, and (3) job training placement service program for eligible 
veterans/disabled veterans and eligible persons . . .''; and
    WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced in both houses of Congress 
that would reduce the direction and control of such employment 
assistance programs by the federal government, relinquishing such 
control to the discretion of the Governors of the states; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, oppose any such elimination of federal direction and control 
over the employment assistance entitlement earned by America's 
veterans/disabled veterans through their honorable service.
                                 ------
                                 

                   RESOLUTION ON. 117--ADMINISTRATIVE

  supporting legislation to give disabled veterans hiring preference 
                  without regard to period of service
    WHEREAS, existing law provides for a priority system for veterans 
and other eligible persons in federally funded employment and training 
programs; and
    WHEREAS, title 38 U.S.C. requires that those programs give 
preference to Vietnam veterans over disabled veterans who are rated at 
less than 30% compensable disabled; and
    WHEREAS, titles 5 and 38 U.S.C. give clear definitions of veterans 
and the preference under which they and other eligible individuals will 
be employed within the federal sector; and
    WHEREAS, title 5 U.S.C. specifically requires that disabled 
veterans be given preference over other veterans for hiring within the 
federal government; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports the passage of legislation that will be consistent 
with the existing federal hiring statutes that do not specify any 
unique war period of service over another.
                                 ______
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 138--LEGISLATIVE

        veterans' preference in the job training partnership act
    WHEREAS, there currently is no provision in the Job Training 
Partnership Act (JTPA), Public Law 97-300, to give preference in 
services to disabled veterans and veterans; and
    WHEREAS, disabled veterans and veterans are given priority under 
laws governing other employment and training programs (title 38 U.S.C., 
Chapters 41 and 42); and
    WHEREAS, a significant percentage of the work force eligible for 
services under JTPA are disabled veterans and veterans who have served 
their country, and now face significant barriers to employment; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, hereby goes on record urging Congress to amend the JTPA so as 
to provide for disabled veterans and veterans' preference in all 
programs operated under JTPA to include One-stop Career Centers.
                                 ______
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 141--LEGISLATIVE

          employer incentives for retraining disabled veterans
    WHEREAS, a general transformation of the nation's economy due 
largely to defense reductions has caused vast numbers of middle income 
jobs in the industrial and manufacturing sectors to disappear, leaving 
many veterans and disabled veterans displaced and in need of 
retraining; and
    WHEREAS, against this background, federally sponsored training 
programs have failed to target veterans in such existing programs as 
the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA); NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, hereby goes on record strongly urging the Congress to create 
additional tax incentives and a training reimbursement program designed 
to generate the needed amount of employer provided training and 
employment opportunities leading to meaningful careers for veterans and 
disabled veterans.
                                 ______
                                 

                   RESOLUTION NO. 142--ADMINISTRATIVE

            vocational rehabilitation employment assistance
    WHEREAS, disabled veterans completing VA vocational rehabilitation 
programs, particularly severely disabled veterans, are too infrequently 
placed in jobs leading to meaningful careers in their chosen 
occupations; and
    WHEREAS, VA's vocational rehabilitation personnel are often 
unfamiliar with the avenues through which veterans can receive 
employment assistance, such as the Disabled Veteran Outreach 
Specialists (DVOPs) who are required to begin job development for 
rehabilitated veterans within six months of their completion of 
training; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, does hereby (1) urge the VA and VETS/DOL to establish formal 
cross-training for VA vocational rehabilitation counselors and DOL 
funded veteran employment specialists in order to expedite appropriate 
and effective job placement for disabled veterans completing their 
rehabilitation, and (2) request additional funding for this cross 
training and to augment personnel levels in the VA vocational 
rehabilitation program, and (3) urge VETS/DOL to increase the number of 
DVOP staff outstationed at VA vocational rehabilitation facilities for 
the purpose of developing more meaningful jobs.
                                 ______
                                 

                   RESOLUTION NO. 143--ADMINISTRATIVE

               outreach and employment of women veterans
    WHEREAS, many women who have served in the military are not aware 
of services available to them through state operated Job Service 
offices in the United States and may be less likely to obtain 
employment and training than their male counterparts; and
    WHEREAS, over the last decade there has been a definite increase in 
the number of women veterans in need of employment and training 
services; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, does hereby go on record requesting (a) Congress establish and 
fund special programs and outreach to women veterans in need of 
employment and assistance from the nation's basic labor exchange system 
and training assistance through programs operated under the Job 
Training Partnership Act (JTPA); (b) additional training in the needs 
of women veterans be provided to the veteran staff of the State 
Employment Security Agencies.
                                 ______
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 171--LEGISLATIVE

 to amend the definition of disabled veterans for purposes of benefits 
             administered under chapter 42, title 38 u.s.c.
    WHEREAS, chapter 42, title 38 U.S.C., defines a disabled veteran as 
one who is rated 30 percent or more services-connected disabled or as 
one who was discharged or released from active duty because of a 
disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; and
    WHEREAS, disabled veterans continue to bear a disproportionate 
unemployment rate and have not received adequate assistance under 
Chapter 42, title 38 U.S.C.; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports legislation to amend section 4211 of title 38 U.S.C., 
to redefine the term ``disabled veteran'' as ``one who has a 
compensable service-connected disability under laws administered by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs or whose discharge or release from 
active duty was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of 
duty.''
                                 ______
                                 

                   RESOLUTION NO. 192--ADMINISTRATIVE

 amend section 4103(a)(1) of dvops appointment preference to allow the 
   appointment of qualified disabled veterans with priority given to 
             qualified disabled veterans of the vietnam era
    WHEREAS, it is the intent of Congress that the State Employment 
Services Agencies (SESA) provide effective employment and training 
services to veterans with priority given in accordance with title 38 
U.S.C. Sec. 4102; and
    WHEREAS, it is the SEAS's responsibility to provide priority 
services to veterans and that all Local Employment Service Office staff 
provide priority services to veterans; and
    WHEREAS, the requirements for the appointment of Disabled Veterans' 
Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPS) is now based upon the preference 
to disabled veterans of the Vietnam era; and
    WHEREAS, combat veterans and disabled veterans have been 
historically shown to have special employment and training needs; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, seek legislation to require that preference be given to 
disabled veterans with priority given to disabled Vietnam era veterans 
in appointments to DVOP positions.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 255--LEGISLATIVE

     transfer the veterans' employment and training service to the 
                     department of veterans affairs
    WHEREAS, veterans' educational benefits are administered by VA, not 
the Department of Education; and
    WHEREAS, veterans' health services are administered by VA, not the 
Department of Health and Human Services; and
    WHEREAS, veterans' housing programs are administered by VA, not the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
    WHEREAS, the Department of Labor (DOL) is the only non-VA federal 
agency administering a veterans' program; and
    WHEREAS, the Department of Veterans Affairs is now a Cabinet level 
department, and the initial reason for the establishment of a 
Department of Veterans Affairs was to avoid duplication, fragmentation 
or delay in the various services provided to our nation's veterans; and
    WHEREAS, it is our proposal that the entire Veterans' Employment 
and Training Service staff and funding be transferred to VA, thereby 
avoiding a reduction of personnel, salaries, benefits or ability to 
carry out the mandates of chapters 41, 42, and 43, title 38 U.S.C., and 
our proposal would continue the DVOP and LVER programs as they 
currently exist; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports legislation that would transfer the Veterans' 
Employment and Training Service from the Department of Labor to the 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 256--LEGISLATIVE

    veterans' preference for state and assistant state directors of 
                   veterans' employment and training
    WHEREAS, current law requires that the Department of Labor's State 
and Assistant State Directors of Veterans' Employment and Training be 
veterans; and
    WHEREAS, there has been some discussion to eliminate the veterans' 
preference provision; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, opposes any change to the veterans' preference provisions 
accorded state and assistant state directors.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 257--LEGISLATIVE

 to amend the residency requirements for state directors and assistant 
    state directors of the veterans' employment and training service
    WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States has enacted legislation 
providing for a Veterans' Employment and Training Service within the 
Department of Labor; and
    WHEREAS, the Act provides that the State Director and the Assistant 
State Director of the Veterans' Employment and Training Service shall 
be a veteran, and at the time of appointment shall be a bona fide 
resident of that state for at least two years; and
    WHEREAS, this provision prohibits promotional opportunities for 
Assistant State Directors and others to other states and restricts them 
to their own states; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, goes on record in support of a waiver to substitute two years' 
experience as a State Director, an Assistant State Director or DVOP or 
LVER in lieu of the current residency requirements, thereby allowing 
them the opportunity to compete for State Director positions as they 
become vacant.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 258--LEGISLATIVE

     provide direct loans and ``set asides'' for disabled veterans
    WHEREAS, many disabled veterans would like to start their own 
business but cannot obtain the needed loan; and
    WHEREAS, many disabled veteran-owned businesses would like to do 
business with the federal government; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports legislation that would authorize direct loans be 
provided by the federal government to qualified disabled veterans; and
    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the federal government provide ``Set 
Asides'' for disabled veteran owned businesses that are the same as, 
but separate and apart from, the Small Business Administration 
Disadvantaged Business 8A Set Aside Program.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 259--LEGISLATIVE

              expand authority for unpaid work experience
    WHEREAS, certain disabled veterans pursuing a program of training 
under vocational rehabilitation may, as part of that program, 
participate in an unpaid work experience situation with either the 
federal, state, or local governments; and
    WHEREAS, similar authority does not exist for unpaid work 
experience with private sector employers; and
    WHEREAS, private sector employers may provide meaningful training 
in such a program; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, seeks legislative relief that would allow these disabled 
veterans to participate in unpaid work experience with private and not-
for-profit sector employers.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 260--LEGISLATIVE

           vr&c staff be provided state-of-the-art equipment
    WHEREAS, the current Director of the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation 
and Counseling Service has no direct line authority over the 
approximately 700 employees located throughout the Regional Office 
structure; and
    WHEREAS, these individuals are responsible to and report to the 
Regional Office Director; and
    WHEREAS, these individuals rely on the goodwill of the Regional 
Office Director to provide them with needed support including current 
technological support to include computers, faxes, and even telephones, 
which are necessary to expedite and streamline the processes and will 
result in earlier enrollments into a program; and
    WHEREAS, it has been reported by the recently established ``Design 
Team'' set up to review how vocational rehabilitation does business, 
some VR&C offices do not have this type of equipment and in at least 
one instance, they do not even have phones; and
    WHEREAS, this type of equipment is essential to assist disabled 
veterans attain their employment goal; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, seeks change that would assure the Regional Office Directors 
are held accountable and all VR&C staff at the Regional Office level be 
provided state-of-the-art equipment in order for them to efficiently 
perform the duties of providing vocational rehabilitation and 
employment services to disabled veterans.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 261--LEGISLATIVE

 disabled veterans' outreach program specialist (dvops) should be part 
            of va vocational rehabilitation case management
    WHEREAS, Congress has criticized the VA's Office of Vocational 
Rehabilitation for not working closely enough with DVOPs; and
    WHEREAS, further criticism was leveled at that office because of 
VA's inability to determine how many veterans were placed in suitable 
employment opportunities; and
    WHEREAS, they were also criticized for not working closely enough 
with the DVOP staff; and
    WHEREAS, the VA is undergoing a major ``redesign'' of how 
Vocational Rehabilitation does business; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, request that a requirement be made that the DVOPs be made part 
of case management at the earliest onset of rehabilitation process.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 262--LEGISLATIVE

 amend chapter 42, title 38 u.s.c. to include grants under affirmative 
                                 action
    WHEREAS, section 4212, chapter 42, title 38 U.S.C. currently 
requires federal contractors to take affirmative action on behalf of 
disabled veterans; and
    WHEREAS, current law does not provide for recipients of federal 
financial assistance, to include grants to states, to take affirmative 
action on behalf of veterans; and
    WHEREAS, most federal agencies provide grants to universities, 
colleges, transportation systems and others who are not required to 
take affirmative action; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, requests that section 4212 of title 38, U.S.C., be amended to 
include ``recipients of federal financial assistance'' be covered for 
affirmative action purposes.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 263--LEGISLATIVE

  provide an appeal process for veterans who believe their veterans' 
       preference or affirmative action rights have been violated
    WHEREAS, disabled veterans and other veterans who believe their 
rights as a preference eligible or rights under affirmative action 
provisions have been violated currently have no recourse other than a 
general inquiry; and
    WHEREAS, many disabled veterans believe that many agencies 
intentionally and unintentionally circumvent veterans' preference or 
don't comply with affirmative action; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports legislation that would provide a meaningful appeal/
redress process for veterans and disabled veterans who believe their 
rights have been violated under veterans' preference or affirmative 
action.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 264--LEGISLATIVE

 to amend the definition of disabled veteran for purposes of benefits 
             administered under chapter 42, title 38 u.s.c.
    WHEREAS, chapter 42, title 38 U.S.C., defines a disabled veteran as 
one who is rated 30 percent or more service-connected disabled or as 
one who was discharged or released from active duty because of a 
disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; and
    WHEREAS, disabled veterans continue to bear a disproportionate 
unemployment rate and have not received adequate assistance under 
Chapter 42, title 38 U.S.C.; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports legislation to amend section 4211 of title 38 U.S.C., 
to redefine the term ``disabled veteran'' as one who has a compensable 
service-connected disability under laws administered by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs or whose discharge or release from active duty was 
for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.''
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 265--LEGISLATIVE

            veterans' preference in the u.s. postal service
    WHEREAS, Congress is currently considering legislation to provide 
certain protections and enhancements to veterans' preference in federal 
civil service; and
    WHEREAS, this legislation would include all federal agencies 
including the Postal Service; and
    WHEREAS, the Postmaster General of the United States has contacted 
the Postal Board of Governors indicating his concern that such changes 
to veterans' preference would be ``onerous'' on the Postal Service; and
    WHEREAS, the Postal Service should be subject to the veterans' 
preference provisions; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Disabled American Veterans in 
National Convention assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28-August 
1, 1996, supports legislation that would provide additional protections 
and other enhancements to veterans' preference and that such 
legislation should include the Postal Service and the Postmaster 
General be informed of our strong opposition to his language directed 
to the Postal Board of Governors.
                                 ------
                                 

                    RESOLUTION NO. 275--LEGISLATIVE

    to amend paragraph (f) of rule 21 of the rules of the convention
    WHEREAS, vocational rehabilitation programs and job placement of 
veterans are closely interrelated; and
    WHEREAS, under rule 21(f) of the DAV's National Rules of the 
Convention, the Committee on Employment does not have jurisdiction over 
vocational rehabilitation issues pertaining to the program under 
Chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code; and
    WHEREAS, it would be more practical to have the Committee on 
Employment address these vocational rehabilitation issues in National 
Convention; NOW
    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Interim Employment 
Committee, meeting on July 28, 1996, recommend to the 1996 National 
Convention that Rule 21 (f) be amended to give the Convention Committee 
on Employment jurisdiction over vocational rehabilitation under Chapter 
31 by striking from the last sentence in paragraph (f) the words 
``education'' and `'except those provided by Title 38, U.S. Code'' and 
by striking the commas preceding these words.
                                 ------
                                 
    Commander McMasters. You've heard the motion. Is there 
support? Mike 3.
    NEC 1st District Alternate Frank J. Drogo. Frank Drogo, 
alternate National Executive Committeeman, makes a motion to 
accept the report.
    Commander McMasters. The motion has been made. You support 
the motion? Mike 3, the motion has already been made. Do you 
support the motion?
    NEC Drogo. Oh! I second it.
    Commander McMasters. Thank you. The motion has been made 
and supported. Ready for the question? Ready for the question? 
All in favor, signify by Aye; opposed. That's carried. 
[Applause.].
    Ladies and gentlemen, please rise, and I will ask Chaplain 
Wilkie to lead us in prayer.
    Chaplain Wilkie. Let us pray. We are grateful indeed this 
morning for the activities of the day. We're indeed grateful 
that words to have meaning, especially when we come to You and 
find out Your direction. We're especially grateful that 
character is meaningful, and that there is character in this 
organization. We're grateful for those who have led us today.
    Pray that You will give us an opportunity for refreshment. 
Bring us back ready to take care of business in our next 
session. Amen.
    Commander McMasters. The convention stands in recess until 
1:30.
    [Whereupon, the meeting recessed at 11:55 o'clock a.m., 
July 29, 1996.]

                        SECOND BUSINESS SESSION

    The Second Business Session of the 75th National Convention 
of the Disabled American Veterans convened in the Grand 
Ballroom of the New Orleans Hilton Riverside, New Orleans, 
Louisiana, Monday afternoon, July 29, 1996, and was called to 
order at 1:30 p.m. by Commander Thomas A. McMaster III.
    Commander Thomas A. McMasters III. The convention will 
please come to order. Please join me in the salute to the flag.
    [Salute to the flag.]
    Commander McMasters. Chaplain, will you please lead us in 
prayer.
    Chaplain Wilkie. Let us pray. Again, Father, we than You 
for allowing us the time of refreshment. We thank You also for 
the opportunity that You have afforded us in this great hour to 
consider again the business affairs of this convention. Enable 
us especially to be aware of those who employ our veterans as 
we recognize them. Help us to be aware, O God, of the 
opportunities we have in so many ways to be of service.
    Direct the decisions we make. Amen.
    Commander McMasters. Please be seated.
    Earlier this morning, we adopted the Rules of the 
Convention probably improperly. What we have done is we've 
approved the amendment, and at this time, I'm going to call on 
Mr. Jim Tanner on Mike 3 to actually restate his motion, and 
we're going to adopt the Rules as amended. And I think that's 
what we're going to do at this time. Mr. Tanner?
    Okay. We will continue. I'll introduce Mr. Gorman for his 
remarks. Dave has been with the DAV for 25 years, both in the 
National Service and Legislative Departments. We are fortunate 
indeed to have someone with Dave's discretion, intelligence and 
practical know-how at the helm of our team in Washington.
    Dave's professional DAV career began in 1971 when he became 
a national service officer shortly after his discharge from the 
U.S. Army. He was seriously wounded by a Viet Cong land mine 
explosion while on patrol in the central area of South Vietnam. 
His wounds required amputation of both legs.
    After three years as an NSO in Boston and Providence, Dave 
was assigned to the DAV National Appeals staff in Washington, 
D.C. in 1975, becoming supervisor of the staff in 1981.
    Later, he assumed management duties in the DAV's National 
Service Program at National Service and Legislative 
Headquarters. He was promoted to assistant national legislative 
director for medical affairs in 1983 and to deputy national 
legislative director in 1994.
    In 1995, Dave was named executive director of our 
Washington Headquarters, taking over day-to-day management of 
our service, legislative, volunteer and employment operations. 
And this will be Dave's first annual report in that capacity to 
the National Convention.
    Mr. Gorman. [Applause.]
    Executive Director David W. Gorman. Thank you very much. 
National Commander McMasters, distinguished guests, and, of 
course, delegates to this 75th National Convention: As the 
executive director of the DAV's Washington Headquarters, it is 
truly my honor and privilege to be able to present to you this 
annual report to the 75th National Convention of the Disabled 
American Veterans.
    First, I want to thank you, Tom, for his inspiring 
leadership and his steadfast commitment to the DAV and our 
mission of service and hope to disabled veterans and their 
families.
    I also want to express my deep respect and sincere 
gratitude to National Adjutant Art Wilson. I can't say enough 
about how vital his resolute guidance, wise counsel and rock-
solid support have been for me personally and for the rest of 
us in our efforts on a daily basis to serve you and your 
families.
    None of what we have been able to accomplish in Washington 
would be possible without the outstanding work accomplished by 
Rick Patterson and his great staff in Cold Spring, Kentucky. So 
thanks, Rick, for that.
    And to Auxiliary National Commander Barb Hicks and National 
Adjutant Maria Tedrow, my sincere thanks. Without the Auxiliary 
and all the effort they put forth, we would not be nearly as 
successful as we are.
    As we gather here in New Orleans to celebrate our 75th 
National Convention and retrace the DAV's magnificent history, 
I find myself standing in awe of how one individual's vision, 
together with a small but totally dedicated and committed group 
of World War I veterans untied in a common bond, gave birth to 
the organization we all love so much today.
    Yet, in reflecting on that truly extraordinary achievement, 
I find myself looking also toward the future as well. It is a 
future that holds tremendous promise and presents us with a 
great many challenges in the bargain. The various programs and 
services that we provide to you on a day-to-day basis are not 
only geared toward meeting the immediate and the sometimes 
unique needs of America's veterans and their families, but they 
are being constantly evaluated, upgraded and improved so we can 
continue to meet our future challenges as well.
    Let me just highlight a few of those for you now, and you 
can get much more detailed information from the various annual 
reports from the department directors that are available in the 
DAV Public Relations Office. As you all know, our National 
Service Program under the above and steady direction of Ken 
Wolfe, is not only the largest of the organization's 
initiatives, but is also the backbone of the DAV and is what 
our reputation of service and excellence is built on.
    For sure, your service program and the national service 
officers who make it the best it can be, will play a 
significant role in helping us live up to our potential and 
meet the challenges we face now and for many years to come. In 
several important ways, what Ken and his staff have 
accomplished will have a profound impact on our future.
    Not only is our national service officer corps growing, but 
the quality of our younger NSOs keeps improving as well. 
National Adjutant Wilson's commitment to service and to 
excellence was the single driving force that gave birth to the 
DAV National Service officer Academy that's located in Denver, 
Colorado. The Academy provides the foundation for the training 
of our NSOs so the DAV can continue to provide today's veterans 
as well as tomorrow's unequalled quality representation.
    Since that first group of 23 NSO trainees entered the 
Academy in July of 1994, three classes totalling 77 NSO 
trainees in all have graduated and have been assigned to work 
in our DAV national service offices across the country under 
the direct supervision and the professional guidance of 
seasoned NSOs. Class 4, consisting of 21 trainees, is currently 
undergoing training and will graduate on August 23rd, just a 
little less than a month away.
    In addition to ensuring that your NSOs and other staff get 
the quality training they need, it's essential that DAV 
management be equipped to provide top-notch leadership as well. 
Earlier this year, the entire DAV management team, comprised of 
supervisory and time ever to participate in a very 
comprehensive week-long program aimed at honing their 
leadership and management skills. And I want to say to you it 
was a tremendous success.
    While we're talking about the National Service Program, I'd 
like to take just a minute to show you two DAV public service 
announcements that the National Communications Department has 
produced in support of our NSOs. So please, take a look for a 
moment at the TV screens on either side of the stage.
    [Video presentation.]
    Executive Director Gorman. They were great, weren't they? 
And from all indications, both of those PSAs got tremendous 
play across the country. And for that, of course, I'd like to 
thank our National Communications Director, Tom Keller, and his 
staff for those spots and for all the work they do in 
continuing support of all of our programs.
    In particular, I'd like to offer a special word of thanks 
and appreciation to Associate National Director of 
Communications Dave Autry. Dave's presence and day-to-day 
involvement in the goings-on in Washington make him a very 
special and valuable asset to our staff.
    Another valued member of our very fine staff in the 
Washington Headquarters is Administrative Assistant Daryl 
Richardson. I don't know how she managed to do it on a day-to-
day basis, but somehow she manages to keep things running 
smoothly amid all the chaos and hubbub. So my heartfelt thanks 
goes out to Daryl.
    I'd be remiss, of course, if I didn't recognize and extend 
a very special thank you to the National Service Foundation and 
the Charitable Service Trust, whose commitment and 
contributions to our National Service Program has made the job 
of providing service to veterans that much easier.
    Later on during the convention, you'll be hearing a lot 
more about our legislative battles, but I want to say a word 
now about Rick Schultz and your DAV legislative team. We all 
owe these fine gentlemen a world of thanks for warding off the 
many vicious attacks on our benefits being posed in Washington. 
With continuing efforts under way to cut funding for veterans' 
programs government shutdowns, schemes to tax and means test 
our service-connected disability compensation, and people 
always looking for ways to do away with the VA health care 
system, it's been a really rough year.
    And although the past year hasn't produced much in terms of 
new meaningful legislation, it has been tremendously successful 
in terms of our grass-roots efforts. Our benefits protection 
teams and DAV and Auxiliary members, as well as their families, 
have done a magnificent job of convincing their elected 
officials to back off from the many horrible and potentially 
devastating legislative proposals. Only swift action by all of 
you could have managed to kill morally wrong and mean-spirited 
schemes like termination disability compensation to certain 
mentally incompetent veterans.
    If what we keep hearing from groups like the Concord 
Coalition is any indication at all, we're going to have our 
work cut out for us, no matter who's in the White House or 
which party is in control of Congress next year. Let's face it: 
The farther we get away from war, the less our elected 
officials and policy makers remember the sacrifices made by 
veterans the ongoing obligation a grateful nation has toward 
us.
    And while you're at it, take a look at who makes up 
Congress, and you'll discover there are fewer and fewer 
veterans among our lawmakers today.
    There are some folks out there who think veteran's program 
have ducked the budget ax for far too long. They want to turn 
our disability compensation system into some kind of an 
insurance annuity program run by the private sector, and they 
want to shut the doors of the VA health care system and our VA 
hospitals.
    We need to keep continually reminding Congress of the 
importance of veterans' programs, and with your help we'll 
continue to do just that.
    Your Employment Department, headed by Ron Drach, is making 
sure your voice is heard on a number of issues, such as 
homeless veterans, many of whom have service-connected 
disabilities that have contributed to their plight. Naturally, 
much of our efforts are focused on defending veterans' 
employment rights and maintaining job training and employment 
assistance programs, such as those administered by the 
Department of Labor, as well as the VA Vocational 
Rehabilitation Program and the Transition Assistance Program 
and Disabled Transition Assistance Program for separating 
military personnel.
    Handling employment-related legislative and oversight 
issues, with particular emphasis on service-connected disabled 
veterans involves monitoring several agencies and pending 
legislation, as well as working with the executive branch and 
Congress on program development and oversight.
    In addition to developing legislative testimony before 
congressional committees on issues relating to employment 
rights, job training programs, vocational rehabilitation, small 
business initiatives and programs for homeless veterans. Ron 
works closely with your national legislative staff as they 
appear before Congress on issues affecting veterans; benefits 
and programs.
    DAV volunteer programs just keep on growing and getting 
better under Bruce Nitsche's guiding hand. Our VA Voluntary 
Service Program, Hospital Service Coordinator Program, and the 
DAV Transportation Network continue to be the envy of many 
others across the country. During the past year alone, DAV 
volunteer drivers logged nearly 18 million miles, taking nearly 
half a million veterans to and from VA medical facilities for 
much-needed health care. That's a tremendous accomplishment, 
and each and every one of you who are involved in that program 
should be very proud, and I know I am. [Applause.]
    And as you know from the video you saw this morning and 
Adjutant Wilson's report, our Transportation Network has just 
put 141 brand-new Ford vans on the road to continue service to 
veterans. That makes 556 that DAV has donated to VA medical 
centers nationwide since 1987, and Ford has generously donated 
an additional 11 vans that will hit the road in August.
    The extremely important VAVS Program which involves so many 
of you brings hope an light into the lives of hospitalized 
veterans and their families on a daily basis. In the past year 
alone, DAV and Auxiliary volunteers donated an incredible two 
and a quarter million hours of VAVS service. That's the yearly 
equivalent, ladies and gentlemen, of 1100 full-time VA 
employees with an estimated value of $28 million in hourly 
wages alone. [Applause.]
    So we should all again take great pride in the fact that if 
it were not for the DAV and our Auxiliary members, the 
hospitalized veterans across this great country wouldn't be 
nearly as well off while they're hospitalized as they are.
    And our National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic 
just simply seems to be getting bigger and better every year as 
it continues to change the lives of severely disabled veterans. 
This event really serves as an opportunity at rehabilitation in 
the nontraditional sense of medical care. After all, if 
severely disabled veterans can face and meet the challenge head 
on of coming down the snow-covered slopes of a mountain, 
surely, in their minds, they can face the challenges of 
addressing their disabilities in a positive way.
    This year has been a tough one, ladies and gentlemen, and 
no one expects 1997 to be any easier. But you can all rest a 
little easy in knowing that DAV advocacy is top notch, and it's 
recognized as such by members of Congress, the VA and other 
influential policy makers in Washington. When the DAV speaks, 
they listen. They listen because your Washington staff has 
earned the reputation, each and every one of them, as highly 
trained professionals who are committed to excellence when it 
comes to advocacy for their fellow disabled veterans. And that 
excellence and that commitment to cause extends all the way 
across our national service officer programs and to each and 
every national service officer who is out there working on a 
daily basis trying to get the benefits each of you and our 
membership deserves.
    And I might add that it doesn't hurt one lick for those in 
Washington to know that each of your program directors carry 
just a little bit more credibility due to the fact that each 
and every one of them are all service-connected combat-disabled 
veterans.
    To be sure, the folks at National Service and Legislative 
Headquarters in Washington have done an outstanding job of 
providing first-rate programs and services to you and your 
families, and that's what we're there for. But you know what? 
We in Washington couldn't do a blessed thing without you, our 
membership, and for that, we thank you.
    In conclusion, and on behalf of the entire Washington 
headquarters staff, I just want to again say thank you for 
making it all possible. Thank you. [Applause.]
    Commander McMasters. Thank you, David. I can't think of a 
nicer guy I'd rather go to Bosnia with than David Gorman.
    At this time, the Chair will entertain a motion to adopt 
Mr. Gorman's report. Mike 1.
    NEC 4th District Albert R. Fanslau. NEC District 4 moves 
the adoption of the report.
    Commander McMasters. We have the motion. Is there support? 
Mike 3.
    Mr. Alan W. Bowers. Alan Bowers, commander, Massachusetts, 
seconds the motion.
    Commander McMasters. We have a motion and support to accept 
Mr. Gorman's report. All in favor, signify by Aye; opposed. 
That's carried.
    [The following written annual report was submitted by Mr. 
Kenneth D. Wolfe, National Service Director:]

    As National Service Director, it is my privilege to report on the 
achievements of the National Service Department to the 75th national 
Convention of the Disabled American Veterans.
    During the past 75 years since DAV's inception, our forefounders 
comprised of World War I veterans and those DAV leaders who have 
followed in their footsteps have witnessed an evolution of change in 
the world of veterans' benefits. The DAV's mission, however, remains 
constant, steadfast, and unwavering: caring for those who have borne 
the burden of war. Since our beginning, one constant has been the need 
for the DAV. Recent reminders of this need include Panama, Grenada, the 
Persian Gulf War, Somalia, the peace keeping mission in Bosnia, and the 
senseless, tragic bombing of the U.S. military barracks in Dhahran, 
Saudi Arabia. The men and women serving our country can be assured the 
DAV will be ready and able to assist them should the need arise.
    The National Service Department continues to carefully monitor 
activity within the Department of Veterans Affairs and other government 
agencies.
    Proposals to change the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities have 
been ongoing. Currently, the VA is going through the process to update 
and revise the schedule making sure it reflects current medical 
knowledge and other factors. We review proposed rule changes as they 
appear in the Federal Register very closely to protect the integrity of 
this very sensitive and complex document. In those instances where we 
disagree with proposed rule changes because they would be harmful to 
veterans, we respond oftentimes with expert medical opinions to support 
our position. In turn protecting the rating decisions of veterans in 
receipt of service-connected disability compensation.
    We have serious concerns regarding the General Accounting Office's 
(GAO) recent intrusion into this time tested and proven system of 
compensating the nation's wartime disabled veterans. We fear GAO's 
interest is strictly related to cost savings without regard for 
disabled veterans. We took the initiative to meet with officials from 
GAO to express our concerns and we expect follow-up meetings.
    This past year the Department of Veterans Affairs planned to 
radically restructure its benefits delivery system. I can tell you, DAV 
adopted a position early in their development stages putting the VA on 
notice that we would oppose any changes that would reduce services to 
veterans or hinder and restrict their access to the system. We insisted 
that any changes must produce meaningful improvement in the quality and 
timeliness of claims adjudication. The VA's plan called for reducing 
the number of claims processing centers by more than half of the 
existing regional offices. The VA has informed us this initiative has 
been delayed until further notice.
                        dav nso training academy
    The DAV's NSO Training Academy located in Denver, Colorado, grew 
out of a need to revitalize the DAV's National Service Officer corps. 
On July 11, 1994, the first class of 23 NSO Trainees began their 
academic studies. University of Colorado at Denver professors provide 
college credit courses in medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology, 
allowing our NSOs to command a sound working medical knowledge when 
assisting veterans in developing their disability claims. Additionally, 
they are taught theories of persuasion and argumentation followed by a 
course in public speaking preparing them to verbally present the merits 
of a veteran's claim before the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social 
Security Administration, and various military boards and panels. DAV 
National Service Officers must also be proficient in preparing written 
briefs in support of their claimants. To assist them in that process 
they are provided a course in legal reasoning and brief preparation.
    In addition to the instruction provided by the University of 
Colorado, seasoned DAV National Service Officers provide detailed 
instruction, teaching what benefits are available, who is eligible and 
how NSO's assist veterans and their dependents in applying. Trainees 
also receive instruction on the proper application of pertinent VA laws 
and regulations to include the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The 
in-depth instruction provided at DAV's Training Academy prepares DAV 
trainees to effectively serve as veterans' advocates. To date three 
classes have graduated from the Academy totaling 77 National Service 
Officer Trainees. Class IV consisting of 21 NSO Trainees is currently 
in progress and will graduate on August 23, 1996. For three quarters of 
a century now, the DAV has been out there providing a service to 
veterans and their families, that remains unmatched anywhere in this 
country. And with this new wave of DAV NSOs entering the fray, our 
organization is laying the groundwork to continue that fine tradition 
of service on into the future. Far and away, we're giving our newest 
employees the best training available in the field of veterans' 
affairs.
    In this ever-changing world of high technology the way our National 
Service Officers conduct training has also changed. Thanks to a 
donation by the Commanders and Adjutants Association, our instructors 
are using state-of-the-art computer-based imaging training programs. 
This innovative training allows DAV's instructors to maximize the 
amount of information they teach during each training module. I would 
like to take this opportunity to thank President Thomas J. Campbell and 
the Commanders and Adjutants Association for their support during the 
past year.
    I am pleased to be able to inform you that we are evaluating the 
need for an additional class which would begin in 1997 if necessary.
             dav structured and continuing training program
    Our training does not end when an NSO is rehabilitated. Your DAV 
leadership continues to recognize the importance and value of an 
ongoing program to ensure our NSOs are the best qualified to represent 
all veterans and their dependents. The laws, regulations, and 
procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs are always changing, 
and we must be prepared. You deserve the best, and we will continue to 
provide the best because of our emphasis on continuing education for 
all NSOs.
    The VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities was first targeted for 
training and all NSOs have, since the introduction of that program, 
completed the course of training in the proper evaluation of service-
connected disabilities. Following this convention, we will introduce to 
all rehabilitated NSOs a new additional two-year program, emphasizing 
the VA's claims adjudication process. This program will stress VA 
adjudication procedures and the importance of proper application of 
U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals precedent decisions in claims work. As 
in the past, each NSO will be required to participate fully, undergoing 
rigorous tests to determine his or her level of proficiency. The 
implementation of this new program will allow NSOs to stay abreast of 
changes in VA regulations and keep them up to date on other pertinent 
matters, especially the effect of U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals 
decisions in the day-to-day adjudication of claims.
    Although the DAV's purpose hasn't changed since DAV was founded, 
the job of an NSO has drastically changed as a result of medical 
advancements, the advent of the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals, and the 
implementation of high technology computer systems in use today. The 
NSOs' resolve hasn't changed either; these men and women are committed 
to doing everything possible to obtain the rightful benefits this 
nation's veterans and their dependents are entitled to. This 
determination is personified by the ongoing commitment of NSOs to excel 
in their work, and objective they understand requires continual 
updating of their skills through training.
                   management and leadership training
    DAV employees are vital in fulfilling our mission. They deserve the 
finest management and leadership we can provide. National Adjutant 
Arthur H. Wilson recognized this training would be vital to our 
continued success. The University of Colorado International Training 
Academy custom tailored the Management and Leadership Training Program 
to fit DAV's needs. It was decided that all DAV management personnel, 
both at National Headquarters and National Service and Legislative 
Headquarters, and DAV's National Service Office Supervisors and 
Assistants would benefit from this important training. For the first 
time in the history of DAV, the entire management team was brought 
together as part of an integrated program to enhance our ability to do 
what we do best--provide top quality service to disabled veterans and 
their families.
    We were taught the latest management and leadership skills starting 
with managing personnel and how to motivate employees and get the job 
done. We learned how to deal with change and conflict management. There 
were classes in stress management, time management, and problem 
solving. All of these courses were designed to improve how we deliver 
DAV services.
    Since last year's National Convention, diversity and sensitivity 
training has been provided to all NSOs and support staff. We believe 
that training, coupled with the management and leadership training, 
will provide for a more professional and worker friendly office 
environment which in turn will have a positive effect on productivity 
and the quality of services provided by the Disabled American Veterans.
                              retirements
    During this 75th historical year several National Service Officers 
have chosen to enter into retirement. I would like to recognize and 
thank them for their unselfish dedication and service to the Disabled 
American Veterans and those veterans and families we serve. Bruce W. 
Burgess, Supervisor, San Antonio, Texas; Richard A. Fret, Supervisor, 
San Juan, Puerto Rico; Robert R. Jordan, Supervisor, West Los Angeles, 
California; Samuel L. King, Supervisor, Muskogee, Oklahoma; Richard L. 
Richards, Supervisor, Houston, Texas; Donald L. Savage, Supervisor, 
Oakland, California; Craig A. Bridges, Assistant Supervisor, Oakland, 
California; Charles Ward, Assistant Supervisor, Louisville, Kentucky; 
Gerald S. Klein, St. Petersburg, Florida; James M. Waters, Newark, New 
Jersey; Raymond E. Lawhorn, Chicago, Illinois; Kenneth Morris, Sr., St. 
Petersburg, Florida; Edward R. Heath, Staff Counsel, St. Petersburg, 
Florida; and Edward J. Kowalczyk, Chief of Claims, DAV Court of 
Veterans Appeals Office. During their many years of advocacy, thousands 
of veterans and their families have reaped the benefit of their 
knowledge and service. Speaking on behalf of all of those claimants and 
the Disabled American Veterans, we wish them the very best in their 
retirement years.
                                 deaths
    On a sadder note, National Service Officer Nathaniel Hart, assigned 
to our Oakland, California, National Service Office, passed away on 
August 7, 1995, ending 24 years of dedicated service to the DAV. NSO 
Hart is survived by his wife, Edna, and sons, Kevin and Nathaniel, Jr.
    National Service Officer Gerald Gregory, assigned to our Boston, 
Massachusetts, National Service Office, was stricken with sudden 
illness and taken from our ranks on May 28, 1996. NSO Gregory served 
the DAV 11 years and is survived by his wife, Donna, and sons, Gerald, 
Jr., Christopher, and Michael.
                       court of veterans appeals
    The DAV Court of Veterans Appeals Office (COVA) has undergone 
significant changes during this past year. Chief of Claims Edward J. 
Kowalczyk retired from the DAV after 28 years of service. Following his 
departure, Stephen L. Purcell was transferred form his assignment at 
the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program to the DAV COVA Office, where 
he joined Judicial Appeals Representatives James W. Stewart and Ronald 
L. Smith. On June 3, 1996, National Service Officer Lennox E. Gilmer 
was reassigned to the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program. This 
program, where appeals are screened for referral to private attorneys 
for representation before the Court, is beneficial to veterans and 
their families, affording them legal representation at no cost. DAV is 
pleased to support this worthwhile program. Also, in December of 1995, 
the DAV COVA Office was relocated from Bowie, Maryland, to National 
Service and Legislative Headquarters in Washington, D.C. While they are 
not a part of the National Service and Legislative Headquarters staff, 
their physical relocation resulted in a cost savings and placed our 
COVA office in closer proximity to the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals.
    The number of appeals to the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals began 
to increase dramatically in the spring of 1996. DAV's Court of Veterans 
Appeals Office has played a major role in generating the nearly 100 
percent increase in appeals to the Court. DAV represents more claimants 
than any other organization or individual. Prior to this year, DAV had 
appealed to the Court in only those cases where it was requested to do 
so by the claimant. Because the number of cases being decided by the 
Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) declined markedly in 1993 and 1994, the 
number of cases which could potentially be appealed to the Court was 
half of what it had been in earlier years. Chief Judge Frank Q. Nebeker 
in testimony before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee mentioned 
reducing the number of judges of the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals 
from seven to five. During that same hearing the DAV testified that a 
reduction in the number of judges at this time would be premature.
    Two changes occurred during this year. Of significant impact the 
Board of Veterans' Appeals began issuing many more decisions. As these 
decisions were received by claimants, more and more veterans and 
dependents began requesting COVA review. The majority of the increase 
in appeals filed by our COVA Office is the result of a new review 
program. In late 1995, the DAV COVA Office staff began reviewing BVA 
decisions even before an appeal was requested by the claimant. 
Decisions received by the DAV Board of Veterans' Appeals Office are 
sent to the DAV COVA Office soon after they are issued. If the DAV COVA 
staff believes the Board has made a reversible error in deciding the 
case, a letter is sent to the claimant recommending that an appeal be 
initiated. Our COVA staff continues to set the standard as it has since 
the Court began.
             social security disability insurance benefits
    DAV National Service Officers provide representation before Social 
Security Administrative Law Judges. From July 1, 1995, through June 30, 
1996, National Service Officers represented 215 claimants. By applying 
their knowledge of Social Security laws and regulations they 
successfully obtained benefits in the amount of $3,173,703.00. DAV also 
presents cases to the Social Security Appeals Council.
                               insurance
    DAV National Service Officers assist claimants in filing for VA 
insurance, applying for waiver of premiums and beneficiary insurance 
proceeds. Our National Service Offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
and St. Paul, Minnesota, continue to provide outstanding representation 
at the VA Insurance Centers. DAV NSOs appeared before the VA 566 times. 
Their representative from July 1, 1995 through June 30, 1996 resulted 
in monetary benefits to DAV claimants in the amount of $4,586,703.00.
                       physical evaluation boards
    National Service Officers in San Diego, California, San Antonio, 
Texas, and Washington, D.C., provide representation to military 
retirees and active duty personnel. Collectively they represented 943 
cases before Physical Evaluation Boards and Discharge Review Boards 
resulting in monetary benefits in the amount of $8,459,068.00.
                         administrative reviews
    The DAV's Administrative Review Program continues to be a showcase 
for the technical expertise and tenacity of our NSOs. Administrative 
reviews, which are not a part of the VA's appeals process, are 
requested upon a finding of clear and unmistakable error in a rating 
decision.
    Typically, an NSO, during an examination of a veteran's claims 
folder will encounter a rating decision which they believe to be in 
error. NSOs refer these cases to National Service and Legislative 
Headquarters. Following a review by the National Service Department, 
appropriate cases reflecting clear and unmistakable error are referred 
to VA Central Office. During the past year, 25 cases have been 
submitted for Administrative Review. Only one has not received 
favorable consideration resulting in a 94.7 percent allowance rate. We 
are optimistically awaiting responses on six pending cases that have 
yet to be decided. The Administrative Review Program continues to be a 
very effective method of resolving complex cases involving matters of 
policy and procedures. Our NSOs are encouraged to bring interesting 
cases to our attention.
                       board of veterans' appeals
    Since the 1995 National Convention, the DAV Board of Veterans' 
Appeals staff, with Supervisor Jerry Cox at the helm, has had to 
weather several storms, both literally and figuratively. Approximately 
21 federal workdays were lost due to the government-wide furloughs, as 
well as the blizzard of 1996. Although the Board was essentially 
shutdown, there was no reduction in the number of claimants filing 
appeals. Notwithstanding the lost workdays, for FY 96 both the BVA as 
well as the DAV expect to exceed the number of cases processed during 
FY 95. In FY 95 the Board issued decisions in 28,195 cases. For FY 96 
through June 30, 1996, the Board already issued 24,701 decisions and is 
on pace to decide in excess of 32,000 cases. Despite these efforts, 
there remains an unacceptably large number of appeals pending on the 
BVA docket. At the end of FY 95 there were 58,943 appeals which had 
been certified for BVA review with an additional 27,116 awaiting 
certification. This adds up to an astonishing 86,059 cases pending in 
the appellate pipeline. In familiar terms, this is called a 
``backlog.''
    Steps instituted at BVA to help alleviate the backlog of appeals 
includes a restructuring of the Board by setting up geographical 
decision teams and the hiring of approximately 125 new attorneys. 
Additionally, with respect to hearings, the Board held 553 Travel Board 
hearings in FY 95. In FY 96 the Board projects approximately 2,800 
Travel Board hearings will be held. Further, while the Board conducted 
154 Central Office hearings in FY 95, for FY 96 through June 30, 1996, 
the Board has already held 209 Central Office hearings. Recently, the 
Board issued an action plan to significantly increase the number of 
Central Office hearings from 15 to 48 per week. Further, the Board has 
held 100 video conference hearings since July 1995 and plans to hold 
another 80 this summer. The video conference hearings have been held at 
the St. Petersburg, Florida, and Des Moines, Iowa, regional offices and 
the Nashville, Tennessee, VA Medical Center. DAV is excited about this 
new ``state of the art'' technology, which is still in the early 
developmental state, because it promises to help address the backlog 
and delays in appellate hearings.
    The average processing time (the time it takes to issue a final 
decision once a claimant has submitted a substantial appeal) is 
currently 950 days if the appeal requires no remand, 1,425 days in 
appeals involving one remand, and 1,836 days if more than one remand is 
required. In FY 95, 47.6 percent of all cases reviewed by the Board 
were remanded. In FY 96 through June 30, 1996, approximately 43 percent 
of the cases have been remanded. The DAV continues to be concerned with 
the number of cases being remanded.
    In the face of all these changes and challenges, the DAV BVA staff 
continues to perform impressive on behalf of the claimants we 
represent. The DAV was the representative of record in nearly 40 
percent of all appeals heard before the Board and has an allowance rate 
of 23 percent. No other organization has more appeals granted than the 
DAV again this year.
                            computerization
    This past year has seen a continuing expansion in the 
computerization of the National Service Program. In addition to the on-
line service from WESTLAW for our Court of Veterans Appeals Office, the 
National Appeals and National Service Offices are continuing their 
integration efforts with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    Our Board of Veterans' Appeals Office has access to computer-based 
laws, regulations and text of all BVA decisions. Although BVA decisions 
are not precedent setting in nature, it is important that the language 
and logic utilized by our appeals staff provide the most concise and 
supportive presentation to support veterans' appeals.
    Nearly every National Service Office is now provided with access to 
the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Group which includes the VA 
TARGET and Automate Reference Material System (ARMS). The TARGET system 
provides National Service Officers access to the status of claims for 
those claimants DAV represents without having to have the VA claims 
folder. ARMS provides each National Service Office with access to the 
most current version of VA regulations and manual citations. ARMS 
provides a limited inquiry system which allows cross referencing 
between laws, regulations, and manual citations.
    Finally, there is an ongoing effort to provide personal computers 
for each DAV National Service Officer to improve their efficiency and 
knowledge. As a part of this project a ``user friendly'' National 
Service Office data base, diary, and report system is being tested. The 
intent of this program is to decrease the frequency of handling files 
allowing more time for NSOs to provide direct services to veterans.
                              agent orange
    Between 1982 and 1995, the Department of Veterans Affairs recognize 
that veterans expose to dioxin and other herbicide agents during active 
military, naval, and air service in Vietnam were incurring certain 
types of diseases in numbers far exceeding those incurred by the 
general population. As a result, the VA established regulations to 
facilitate claims for service connection on a presumptive basis for 
those diseases. The list of these diseases has been expanded on a 
continuing basis a the scientific community has raised the question of 
a statistically significant risk between a disease and exposure to 
dioxin or other herbicides.
    In May of this year, President Clinton announced that Vietnam 
veterans afflicted with prostate cancer and acute and subacute 
peripheral neuropathy will be entitled to service connection based on 
their exposure to herbicides.
    Additionally, the President announced that the Department of 
Veterans Affairs will be proposing legislation to provide an 
appropriate remedy for children of Vietnam veterans who suffer from 
spina bifida. Just as the DAV was in the forefront in requesting that 
the VA recognize entitlement to benefits for Veterans who suffered from 
diseases related to herbicide exposure, the DAV has already initiated 
dialogue with government leaders on this issue, concerning the health 
care needs of children with spina bifida. Moreover, the DAV has 
suggested the formation of a committee of government and nongovernment 
experts, to include representatives from veterans' service 
organizations, to examine the prospect of providing recompense to 
individuals or family members harmed as a result of a veterans's 
military service.
              prosthetic and special disabilities programs
    In 1990 the Department of Veterans Affairs established a DAV 
supported, congressionally mandated Secretary's Advisory Committee on 
Prosthetic and Special Disabilities Program. Prior to his appointment 
as Executive Director of DAV's Washington Headquarters, David W. Gorman 
served on this committee. In March 1996, Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
Jesse Brown appointed Deputy National Service Director Jerry P. 
Steelman to this very important committee. The committee has made 
several recommendations in the areas of spinal cord injuries and blind 
rehabilitation expansion of VICTORS (Visual Impairment Center to 
Optimize Remaining Sight) and to establish an eye care center of 
excellence. This committee has been instrumental in maintaining the 
strength and integrity of rehabilitation and prosthetic programs.
                         persian gulf veterans
    In 1994, legislation was passed and signed into law authorizing 
payment of disability compensation to Persian Gulf veterans with 
chronic undiagnosed illnesses. The Department of Veterans Affairs soon 
after implemented regulations to establish entitlement to compensation 
for veterans with symptoms of undiagnosed illnesses which became 
manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within two years after 
leaving the Persian Gulf. The symptoms of undiagnosed illness included 
fatigue, muscle and joint pains, breathing problems and 
gastrointestinal problems. DAV National Service Officers are reviewing 
all rating board actions on Persian Gulf War veterans to detect 
patterns of illness and need for additional government actions. Because 
of the low allowance rate (5 percent) and our concern leading to a 
review of all of the previously denied claims, we are recommending a 
longer presumptive period of more than two years.
    The DAV was in the forefront advocating action for compensation and 
special health care for Gulf War veterans, and we will continue to 
monitor actions by both Congress and the VA to ensure continued service 
for these veterans of our most recent war. Jerry D. Cox, Supervisor of 
the DAV National Appeals Office, at the Board of Veterans Appeal's, 
represented DAV serving on the Persian Gulf Expert Scientific 
Committee. This committee provides legislative recommendations to the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding Persian Gulf illness.
                             women veterans
    DAV continues to be concerned and committed to the goal of 
supporting our nation's women veterans. National Service Officer 
Patricia A. Bracciale serves on this congressionally mandated VA 
Advisory Committee for Women Veterans addressing such problems as 
timely and appropriate gender specific health care for women veterans.
    Some of the issues are Vietnam women veterans reproductive health 
research, plight of homeless women veterans, and a constellation of 
other pertinent issues specific to women veterans. This committee was 
in the process of drafting its 1996 report to Congress when the 
November and December 1995 furloughs occurred. That, together with the 
lack of congressional funding, has resulted in no committee meetings 
since June 1995. In spite of this temporary setback to the VA's Women 
Veterans Advisory Committee, the DAV is resolved to support solutions 
to those problems faced by our women veterans.
   hospital service coordinators department service officer training
    Hospital Service Coordinators (HSC) and Department Service Officers 
(DOSs) are on the front line dealing with veterans on a daily basis. 
Many times they are the first contact a veteran has with the Disabled 
American Veterans. Certainly, it is important to DAV and the veterans 
we serve that these individuals are kept knowledgeable about veterans' 
benefit entitlement programs and the DAV.
    During this past year, two HSC/DSO Training Programs were 
conducted. Presentations were given by Washington Headquarters 
Executive Director David Gorman, National Legislative Director Richard 
Schultz, National Employment Director Ronald Drach, National Director 
of Voluntary Services Bruce Nitsche, and Assistant to the Executive 
Director for Membership and Purchasing Charles Luttjohann. 
Additionally, National Service Officers Robert Plante, Supervisor of 
DAV's National Service Office in Chicago, Illinois, and Harry (Skip) 
Erway, Supervisor of DAV's National Service Office in Louisville, 
Kentucky, provided instruction on veterans' benefit entitlements.
    We have had an overwhelming response from HSCs and DSOs expressing 
their thanks for providing this very important training. To date, 147 
HSCs and DSOs have received this valuable training. We are currently in 
the process of updating training materials and hope to be able to 
provide additional training during the ensuing year. We would like to 
express our thanks to the Departments of California and Colorado, which 
hosted this training, as well as those departments who sponsored 
participants.
                          information seminars
    DAV NSOs provide outreach services by conducting information 
seminars. Many DAV chapters host these very informative meetings as a 
way to increase public awareness, strengthen their membership, and, 
most importantly, provide benefit information and claims assistance to 
veterans in their community. From July 1, 1995, through June 30, 1996, 
NSOs conducted 52 information seminars and provided assistance to 3,650 
veterans and their families. We have directed our NSOs to expand their 
efforts promoting chapters and departments to take advantage of the 
Information Seminar Program as it is a vital part of DAV's mission.
   transition assistance programs and disabled transition assistance 
                                programs
    As the military continues downsizing, more demands have been placed 
on our NSOs involved in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and the 
Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP). DAV NSO conduct 
briefings giving an overview on VA entitlement programs. When 
requested, they conduct service medical record reviews and assist in 
the filing of claims for VA disability compensation and other benefits. 
During the past year, NSOs and DSOs have provided transition assistance 
at 115 military bases and have briefed 104,433 military personnel 
resulting in 81,614 compensation claims being filed with the VA.
                           homeless veterans
    As we celebrate DAV'S Diamond Anniversary, many veterans have 
little or nothing to rejoice about, for they are homeless. The number 
of homeless veterans is a growing concern to the DAV. Recent statistics 
show that veterans make up approximately one-third of the homeless 
population. One must wonder whether there is a relationship between 
homeless veterans and their military service. Did that service somehow 
contribute to psychological and adjustment problems? Regardless of the 
cause, DAV has once again stepped forward participating in stand-downs. 
During stand-downs NSOs provide assistance that takes on many different 
forms including obtaining medical care, filing disability claims, 
assistance in obtaining food, shelter, clothing, and networking with 
Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER) and Disabled Veterans 
Outreach Program Specialists (DVOP) for employment assistance.
    In some areas they are able to make referrals to DAV departments 
and chapters that have homeless programs in place. By caring enough to 
make a difference, our NSO, DAV members, departments, and chapters will 
help bring dignity back into the lives of those men and women who 
helped to defend our country.
                         incarcerated veterans
    The DAV recognizes the importance of rehabilitation, and for this 
reason many NSOs have become involved in programs at correctional 
facilities. The assistance rendered by our National Service Officers 
covers a wide range, from claims representation to education and 
training, preparing them to reenter society. It is certainly a 
worthwhile service, and I commend those NSO who are active in this 
area.
                        native american veterans
    DAV National Service Officers through a variety of programs have 
been providing outreach service to Native Americans. Some National 
Service Officers make regularly scheduled visits to reservations where 
they provide benefit information and assist in the filing of claims. 
Regardless of the type of service provided, DAV NSOs play an important 
role in making sure that Native Americans receive those benefits to 
which they are entitled as a result of their military service.
                  national veterans training institute
    Our National Service Officers in Denver, Colorado, have been 
involved with the University of Colorado at Denver, serving as 
instructors at the National Veterans Training Institute (NVTI). To date 
4, 320 Local Veterans Employment Representatives and Disabled Veterans 
Outreach Program Specialists have been provided veterans benefits 
entitlement training. During their instruction, our NSOs stress claims 
development, medical evidence, secondary disabilities, vocational 
rehabilitation and education, and other related topics designed to 
provide LVERs and DVOP a working knowledge of the VA's benefit delivery 
system. By networking with LVERs and DVOP, DAV NSO nationwide reach out 
to a greater number of veterans providing the very best claims 
representation available. We look forward to continuing our 
relationship with the National Veterans Training Institute on into the 
future.
                                summary
    The accomplishments reflected by this report were made possible 
through the combined efforts of all DAV and DAV Auxiliary members. Each 
member's efforts, whether at the chapter of department level or at a VA 
medical center, help DAV to fulfill its mission.
    Hospital Service Coordinators, Department Service Officers and 
Chapter Service Officers play an important role in DAV's success. Their 
direct contact and assistance to veterans and their families in the 
initial stage of a VA claim is of tremendous benefit to our National 
Service Officers. By everyone caring enough to make a difference, DAV 
continues to provide service second to none.
    The Service Department during this past year has been very 
fortunate to have the support of National Commander Thomas A. 
McMasters, III, the National Line Officers, National Executive 
Committee, National Finance Committee, and the National Service 
Foundation and the Charitable Service Trust. I can tell you without 
question, their commitment to DAV's National Service Program is as 
strong, if not stronger, than ever before. I would like to thank them 
for that support.
    The staff of your National Service Department has also changed 
during this past year, and I would like to recognize another recent 
retiree. On October 22, 1972, a young combat wounded Army veteran of 
the Vietnam conflict joined DAV's NSO corps. He underwent his initial 
phase of training at DAV's National Service Office, Lincoln, Nebraska, 
Transferring in October of 1972 to DAV's National Service Office in San 
Antonio, Texas. In 1974, he was promoted to supervisor of that office 
and served in that capacity until his promotion to supervisor of DAV's 
office in Chicago, Illinois. In October of 1990, he was appointed to 
the position of personnel director at DAV's National Headquarters in 
Cold Spring, Kentucky. On November 1, 1993, he was named field director 
of the National Service Department at National Service and Legislative 
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. I can tell you that National Service 
Officer Darrel E. Babcock gave his all to the DAV and those veterans we 
serve. His dedication and unselfish devotion to the DAV is without 
question. On behalf of the National Service Department, I would like to 
express our sincere appreciation for a job well done and wish National 
Service Officer Babcock the very best in his retirement.
    I would like to take this opportunity to thank the National Service 
Officer corps and their support staffs for their devotion, compassion, 
and unselfish service they display on the job daily. I know first hand 
of their sacrifices. I also know they are successful because they 
believe in DAV's mission.
    On behalf of the National Service staff, we wish to thank National 
Headquarters Executive Director Richard E. Patterson, and the 
directors, managers, and employees of Cold Spring, Kentucky for their 
assistance supporting the Service Department and your service programs.
    The National Service Department works closely with the DAV 
Auxiliary. I wish to take this opportunity to thank Auxiliary National 
Commander Barbara Hicks, the Auxiliary Line Officers, and Auxiliary 
National Adjutant Maria Tedrow for their support. We look forward to 
working with the Auxiliary in the ensuing year.
    I also wish to thank Washington Headquarters Executive Director 
David W. Gorman for his guidance and leadership. His vast experience in 
legislation and service has been extremely valuable as we plan for the 
future.
    At National Service and Legislative Headquarters networking with 
all of DAV's program directors is vitally important in the daily 
activity of your National Service staff. I would like to thank 
Legislative Director Richard F. Schultz, Employment Director Ronald W. 
Drach, Director of Voluntary Services Bruce G. Nitsche, Associate 
National director of Communications David E. Autry and their staffs for 
their support. That old adage ``by working together we will get the job 
done'' is certainly true.
    I would be remiss if I didn't personally thank the support staff at 
National Service and Legislative Headquarters for their very efficient 
assistance during this year of change. That assistance has been 
invaluable to the Service Department.
    I would also like to thank the National Service Department staff 
who is charged with the responsibility of fulfilling DAV's chartered 
purpose. This is being accomplished by Assistant National Service 
Directors Anthony L. Baskerville and Michael J. Walsh, and Deputy 
National Service Director Jerry P. Steelman. Each Member of the Service 
Department has different areas of responsibility. As they fulfill those 
responsibilities, the scope, depth, and direction of DAV's Service 
Programs take shape, I am confident that your Service Department will 
continue its efforts to improve DAV's Service Programs and in turn 
fulfilling DAV's mission.
    As we look back on the accomplishments of our 75th year, it becomes 
apparent that the world we live in will continue to change. There will 
be advancement in the field of medicine. And, yes, the highly technical 
computers of today will become obsolete necessitating the DAV to once 
again change how it conducts business. We must and will continue our 
modernization program to ensure quality representation.
    The success reflected throughout this report didn't just happen by 
chance, National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson has been there at every turn 
providing his support, guidance, and encouragement. On behalf of the 
entire National Service Department, I wish to thank him for his 
outstanding leadership. . . .
    In DAV's 75-year history, we have grown in stature and wisdom. 
We've learned that history repeats itself and that, unfortunately, 
there continues to be a need for the Disabled American Veterans to 
remain strong. As our nation battles for freedom and world peace, the 
price of that freedom continues to be high. The casualties American 
troops have sustained in Bosnia and in the recent bombing in Saudi 
Arabia make it clear that there will be a continuing need for DAV's 
services. Your can be assured the DAV stands ready and our cause is 
just. The DAV will be there for today's returning warriors just as it 
was for you and me. In closing, the success achieved by each of our 
National Service Offices is reflected in the statistical data of this 
report.

                  RECAPITULATION OF SERVICE ACTIVITIES                  
                   July 1, 1995 through June 30, 1996                   
                             Montgomery, Alabama                        
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     294     
    Compensation Increased                                      954     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,253     
    Pension                                                     516     
    Pension Maintained                                          102     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          304     
    Miscellaneous                                                91     
    Death Compensation                                           52     
    Death Pension                                                81     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           250     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              3,897     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,835,683.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $24,959,721.15  
    Full Amount                                         $26,795,404.15  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         4,186     
    Power of Attorneys                                          784     
    Interviews                                                1,793     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  2,322     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    3     
    New Claims                                                2,352     
    Membership                                                   43     
                                                                        
                              Phoenix, Arizona                          
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     809     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,559     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,647     
    Pension                                                     258     
    Pension Maintained                                           76     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          846     
    Miscellaneous                                               160     
    Death Compensation                                          103     
    Death Pension                                                11     
    Insurance                                                     2     
    Burial Allowances                                           373     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              5,844     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $3,205,179.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $45,463,004.00  
    Full Amount                                         $48,668,183.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         9,222     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,530     
    Interviews                                                3,538     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  8,045     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    1     
    New Claims                                                3,285     
    Membership                                                  120     
                                                                        
                            Little Rock, Arkansas                       
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     504     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,338     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,372     
    Pension                                                     621     
    Pension Maintained                                          140     
    Social Security                                              14     
    Education Benefits                                          459     
    Miscellaneous                                               204     
    Death Compensation                                          113     
    Death Pension                                               152     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           306     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              5,223     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $2,624,913.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $34,423,951.00  
    Full Amount                                         $37,048,864.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         9,366     
    Power of Attorneys                                        3,007     
    Interviews                                                4,416     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  5,817     
    Military Affairs                                            541     
    Social Security Activities                                  108     
    New Claims                                                4,878     
    Membership                                                  209     
                                                                        
                         W. Los Angeles, California                     
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     839     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,143     
    Compensation Maintained                                   2,498     
    Pension                                                   1,487     
    Pension Maintained                                          189     
    Social Security                                               3     
    Education Benefits                                        1,195     
    Miscellaneous                                               113     
    Death Compensation                                          121     
    Death Pension                                               390     
    Insurance                                                    61     
    Burial Allowances                                           406     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              8,445     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $3,688,368.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $49,343,811.00  
    Full Amount                                         $53,032,179.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         9,844     
    Power of Attorneys                                        4,603     
    Interviews                                                5,567     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  6,407     
    Military Affairs                                          2,867     
    Social Security Activities                                    3     
    New Claims                                                6,126     
    Membership                                                   81     
                                                                        
                          San Francisco, California                     
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                   1,287     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,743     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,924     
    Pension                                                     198     
    Pension Maintained                                           37     
    Social Security                                               2     
    Education Benefits                                          393     
    Miscellaneous                                               222     
    Death Compensation                                          129     
    Death Pension                                                 8     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           390     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              6,333     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $6,737,855.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $52,565,854.00  
    Full Amount                                         $59,303,709.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         7,121     
    Power of Attorneys                                        2,309     
    Interviews                                                3,338     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  5,642     
    Military Affairs                                            527     
    Social Security Activities                                   15     
    New Claims                                                3,914     
    Membership                                                  199     
                                                                        
                              Denver, Colorado                          
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                   1,122     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,234     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,805     
    Pension                                                     260     
    Pension Maintained                                           96     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          687     
    Miscellaneous                                               156     
    Death Compensation                                           69     
    Death Pension                                                39     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           286     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              5,754     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $2,943,377.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $45,660,589.00  
    Full Amount                                         $48,603,966.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         7,698     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,852     
    Interviews                                                1,866     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  5,687     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                2,753     
    Membersip                                                   252     
                                                                        
                            Hartford, Connecticut                       
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                      85     
    Compensation Increased                                      332     
    Compensation Maintained                                     593     
    Pension                                                      48     
    Pension Maintained                                          226     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          121     
    Miscellaneous                                                13     
    Death Compensation                                           23     
    Death Pension                                                 2     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           123     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              1,566     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $795,617.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $10,149,536.20  
    Full Amount                                         $10,945,153.20  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         2,604     
    Power of Attorneys                                          229     
    Interviews                                                  494     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,189     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                  830     
    Membership                                                   14     
                                                                        
                               Washington, DC                           
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     322     
    Compensation Increased                                      583     
    Compensation Maintained                                     904     
    Pension                                                      95     
    Pension Maintained                                          210     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                          274     
    Miscellaneous                                                48     
    Death Compensation                                           38     
    Death Pension                                                 8     
    Insurance                                                     2     
    Burial Allowances                                           117     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                  131     
    Total Awards                                              2,733     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,300,614.45  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $20,946,768.90  
    Full Amount                                         $22,247,383.35  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         2,272     
    Power of Attorneys                                          498     
    Interviews                                                2,305     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,097     
    Military Affairs                                            901     
    Social Security Activities                                    3     
    New Claims                                                1,544     
    Membership                                                   95     
                                                                        
                           St. Petersburg, Florida                      
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                   1,360     
    Compensation Increased                                    3,768     
    Compensation Maintained                                   5,913     
    Pension                                                   1,118     
    Pension Maintained                                          447     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                        1,121     
    Miscellaneous                                               202     
    Death Compensation                                          450     
    Death Pension                                               187     
    Insurance                                                     6     
    Burial Allowances                                         1,132     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                             15,704     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $7,960,365.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                         $120,072,087.36  
    Full Amount                                        $128,032,452.36  
    VA Files Reviewed                                        18,996     
    Power of Attorneys                                        3,444     
    Interviews                                                6,971     
    Rating Board Appearances                                 12,001     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                8,868     
    Membership                                                  289     
                                                                        
                              Atlanta, Georgia                          
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     238     
    Compensation Increased                                      393     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,077     
    Pension                                                      60     
    Pension Maintained                                           54     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                          578     
    Miscellaneous                                                16     
    Death Compensation                                           76     
    Death Pension                                                 9     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                            51     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              2,553     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,374,594.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $18,035,444.00  
    Full Amount                                         $19,410,038.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         4,012     
    Power of Attorneys                                          859     
    Interviews                                                1,518     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  2,614     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                   11     
    New Claims                                                1,924     
    Membership                                                   64     
                                                                        
                              Honolulu, Hawaii                          
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     151     
    Compensation Increased                                      203     
    Compensation Maintained                                     490     
    Pension                                                       9     
    Pension Maintained                                            7     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                            0     
    Miscellaneous                                                28     
    Death Compensation                                           12     
    Death Pension                                                 2     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                            70     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                                972     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $535,345.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                           $8,977,275.00  
    Full Amount                                          $9,512,620.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         1,104     
    Power of Attorneys                                          288     
    Interviews                                                1,261     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,047     
    Military Affairs                                            205     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                  903     
    Membership                                                   62     
                                                                        
                                Boise, Idaho                            
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     231     
    Compensation Increased                                      205     
    Compensation Maintained                                     563     
    Pension                                                      31     
    Pension Maintained                                          568     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                          177     
    Miscellaneous                                                18     
    Death Compensation                                           33     
    Death Pension                                                20     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                            60     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              1,907     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $964,959.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $11,626,597.00  
    Full Amount                                         $12,591,556.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         1,437     
    Power of Attorneys                                          736     
    Interviews                                                1,154     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,373     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    9     
    New Claims                                                  715     
    Membership                                                   33     
                                                                        
                              Chicago, Illinois                         
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     396     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,122     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,071     
    Pension                                                     559     
    Pension Maintained                                          397     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                           27     
    Miscellaneous                                               110     
    Death Compensation                                           51     
    Death Pension                                                37     
    Insurance                                                    41     
    Burial Allowances                                           343     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              4,155     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $3,121,571.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $27,400,567.80  
    Full Amount                                         $30,522,138.80  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         3,979     
    Power of Attorneys                                          841     
    Interviews                                                2,065     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  3,203     
    Military Affairs                                              3     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                2,184     
    Membership                                                   95     
                                                                        
                            Indianapolis, Indiana                       
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     235     
    Compensation Increased                                      934     
    Compensation Maintained                                     757     
    Pension                                                     339     
    Pension Maintained                                          427     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          389     
    Miscellaneous                                               143     
    Death Compensation                                           61     
    Death Pension                                                68     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                            97     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              3,450     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,433,960.12  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $19,804,571.32  
    Full Amount                                         $21,238,531.44  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         4,874     
    Power of Attorneys                                          589     
    Interviews                                                1,202     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  3,974     
    Military Affairs                                             33     
    Social Security Activities                                   19     
    New Claims                                                2,310     
    Membership                                                   45     
                                                                        
                              Des Moines, Iowa                          
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     207     
    Compensation Increased                                      559     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,155     
    Pension                                                     335     
    Pension Maintained                                          741     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          284     
    Miscellaneous                                               195     
    Death Compensation                                           40     
    Death Pension                                               273     
    Insurance                                                    45     
    Burial Allowances                                           152     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              3,986     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,861,845.00  
    Total Retroative Payments                           $23,525,768.95  
    Full Amount                                         $25,387,613.95  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         4,501     
    Power of Attorneys                                          522     
    Interviews                                                1,613     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  3,507     
    Military Affairs                                              2     
    Social Security Activities                                    1     
    New Claims                                                1,491     
    Membership                                                  523     
                                                                        
                               Wichita, Kansas                          
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     259     
    Compensation Increased                                      412     
    Compensation Maintained                                     702     
    Pension                                                      95     
    Pension Maintained                                          742     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                          239     
    Miscellaneous                                                13     
    Death Compensation                                           48     
    Death Pension                                               159     
    Insurance                                                     2     
    Burial Allowances                                           130     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              2,802     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,351,881.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $17,872,068.00  
    Full Amount                                         $19,223,949.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         1,954     
    Power of Attorneys                                          772     
    Interviews                                                1,416     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,832     
    Military Affairs                                              6     
    Social Security Activities                                    1     
    New Claims                                                2,736     
    Membership                                                   87     
                                                                        
                            Louisville, Kentucky                        
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     399     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,088     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,192     
    Pension                                                   5,106     
    Pension Maintained                                          140     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                           69     
    Miscellaneous                                               118     
    Death Compensation                                          101     
    Death Pension                                             1,720     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           556     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                             10,490     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $4,380,662.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $75,168,803.00  
    Full Amount                                         $79,549,465.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         6,900     
    Power Of Attorneys                                        2,191     
    Interviews                                                  700     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  7,034     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    3     
    New Claims                                                4,826     
    Membership                                                  132     
                                                                        
                           New Orleans, Louisiana                       
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     347     
    Compensation Increased                                      655     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,006     
    Pension                                                     421     
    Pension Maintained                                          213     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                          399     
    Miscellaneous                                                90     
    Death Compensation                                           24     
    Death Pension                                                18     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                             8     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              3,182     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,526,174.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $23,998,644.00  
    Full Amount                                         $25,524,818.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         4,338     
    Power Of Attorneys                                          768     
    Interviews                                                3,553     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  2,871     
    Military Affairs                                             29     
    Social Security Activities                                   36     
    New Claims                                                4,784     
    Membership                                                   81     
                                                                        
                                Togus, Maine                            
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     165     
    Compensation Increased                                      723     
    Compensation Maintained                                     513     
    Pension                                                      87     
    Pension Maintained                                           48     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          310     
    Miscellaneous                                                55     
    Death Compensation                                           18     
    Death Pension                                                 1     
    Insurance                                                     1     
    Burial Allowances                                            96     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              2,017     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,364,740.08  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $17,779,533.36  
    Full Amount                                          19,144,273.44  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         2,089     
    Power of Attorneys                                          316     
    Interviews                                                2,612     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,881     
    Military Affairs                                              1     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                  229     
    Membership                                                  240     
                                                                        
                             Balitmore, Maryland                        
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     201     
    Cmopensation Increased                                      480     
    Compensation Maintained                                     495     
    Pension                                                      96     
    Pension Maintained                                           88     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          234     
    Miscellaneous                                                20     
    Death Compensation                                           18     
    Death Pension                                                12     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                            29     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              1,674     
    Total Monthly Increases                                 824,841.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $11,526,031.00  
    Full Amount                                          12,350,872.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         2,048     
    Power of Attorneys                                          324     
    Interviews                                                1,061     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,145     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                  560     
    Membership                                                   67     
                                                                        
                            Boston, Massachusetts                       
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     450     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,498     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,505     
    Pension                                                     259     
    Pension Maintained                                           31     
    Social Security                                               3     
    Education Benefits                                          565     
    Miscellaneous                                                30     
    Death Compensation                                           77     
    Death Pension                                                62     
    Insurance                                                     1     
    Burial Allowances                                           392     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              4,873     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $2,573,805.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $39,523,737.00  
    Full Amount                                         $42,097,542.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         9,231     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,586     
    Interviews                                                5,393     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  6,352     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    7     
    New Claims                                                4,670     
    Membership                                                  293     
                                                                        
                              Detroit, Michigan                         
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     243     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,018     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,126     
    Pension                                                     449     
    Pension Maintained                                          467     
    Social Security                                               4     
    Education Benefits                                          329     
    Miscellaneous                                               117     
    Death Compensation                                           71     
    Death Pension                                               302     
    Insurance                                                     2     
    Burial Allowances                                           407     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              4,535     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,864,364.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $24,913,578.00  
    Full Amount                                         $26,777,942.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                        10,445     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,456     
    Interviews                                                1,777     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  4,750     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                   28     
    New Claims                                                4,849     
    Membership                                                   72     
                                                                        
                             St. Paul, Minnesota                        
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     646     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,228     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,276     
    Pension                                                     335     
    Pension Maintained                                          117     
    Social Security                                               4     
    Education Benefits                                          646     
    Miscellaneous                                               234     
    Death Compensation                                           80     
    Death Pension                                               150     
    Insurance                                                    13     
    Burial Allowances                                           288     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              5,017     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $2,578,965.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $36,222,972.00  
    Full Amount                                         $38,801,937.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         9,159     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,223     
    Interviews                                                1,656     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  5,853     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                   11     
    New Claims                                                8,959     
    Membership                                                   81     
                                                                        
                            Jackson, Mississippi                        
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     155     
    Compensation Increased                                      479     
    Compensation Maintained                                     639     
    Pension                                                     387     
    Pension Maintained                                           82     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          207     
    Miscellaneous                                                30     
    Death Compensation                                           26     
    Death Pension                                                38     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                            94     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              2,137     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $976,453.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $15,013,538.00  
    Full Amount                                         $15,989,991.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         1,828     
    Power of Attorneys                                          358     
    Interviews                                                  622     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,398     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                1,339     
    Membership                                                   35     
                                                                        
                             St. Louis, Missouri                        
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     738     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,338     
    Compensation Maintained                                   2,684     
    Pension                                                     697     
    Pension Maintained                                          518     
    Social Security                                              15     
    Education Benefits                                        1,528     
    Miscellaneous                                               289     
    Death Compensation                                           75     
    Death Pension                                                78     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           201     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              8,161     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $4,836,437.49  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $52,645,428.28  
    Full Amount                                         $57,481,865.77  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         8,815     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,984     
    Interviews                                                2,845     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  7,155     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                   35     
    New Claims                                                7,117     
    Membership                                                  144     
                                                                        
                           Fort Harrison, Montana                       
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     106     
    Compensation Increased                                      369     
    Compensation Maintained                                     156     
    Pension                                                      70     
    Pension Maintained                                           19     
    Social Security                                               2     
    Education Benefits                                           73     
    Miscellaneous                                                19     
    Death Compensation                                           11     
    Death Pension                                                 6     
    Insurance                                                     8     
    Burial Allowances                                            84     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                                923     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $378,398.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                           $5,622,679.00  
    Full Amount                                          $6,001,077.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                           498     
    Power of Attorneys                                          257     
    Interviews                                                1,894     
    Rating Board Appearances                                    489     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                   17     
    New Claims                                                  246     
    Membership                                                   52     
                                                                        
                              Lincoln, Nebraska                         
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     171     
    Compensation Increased                                      376     
    Compensation Maintained                                     450     
    Pension                                                     157     
    Pension Maintained                                           17     
    Social Security                                               5     
    Education Benefits                                           37     
    Miscellaneous                                                22     
    Death Compensation                                           25     
    Death Pension                                                24     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           113     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              1,397     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $791,024.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $11,116,719.00  
    Full Amount                                         $11,907,743.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         1,320     
    Power of Attorneys                                          520     
    Interviews                                                  631     
    Rating Board Appearances                                    950     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                   32     
    New Claims                                                  771     
    Membership                                                    8     
                                                                        
                          Manchester, New Hampshire                     
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     263     
    Compensation Increased                                      624     
    Compensation Maintained                                     859     
    Pension                                                      79     
    Pension Maintained                                          169     
    Social Security                                               7     
    Education Benefits                                          210     
    Miscellaneous                                                49     
    Death Compensation                                           18     
    Death Pension                                                 2     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                             9     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              2,289     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,739,053.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $20,532,666.00  
    Full Amount                                         $22,271,719.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         4,665     
    Power of Attorneys                                          511     
    Interviews                                                2,361     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  3,203     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                   96     
    New Claims                                                  983     
    Membership                                                   83     
                                                                        
                             Newark, New Jersey                         
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     239     
    Compensation Increased                                      966     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,059     
    Pension                                                     114     
    Pension Maintained                                          155     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          403     
    Miscellaneous                                                39     
    Death Compensation                                           89     
    Death Pension                                                25     
    Insurance                                                     1     
    Burial Allowances                                           277     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              3,367     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $2,008,462.92  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $17,778,846.41  
    Full Amount                                         $19,787,309.33  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         3,787     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,219     
    Interviews                                                2,424     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  2,494     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    1     
    New Claims                                                3,598     
    Membership                                                   94     
                                                                        
                           Albuquerque, New Mexico                      
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     289     
    Compensation Increased                                      601     
    Compensation Maintained                                     791     
    Pension                                                     207     
    Pension Maintained                                          295     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Eduation Benefits                                           293     
    Miscellaneous                                                16     
    Death Compensation                                           35     
    Death Pension                                                48     
    Insurance                                                     1     
    Burial Allowances                                           178     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              2,754     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,402,858.23  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $16,859,793.85  
    Full Amount                                         $18,262,652.08  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         2,661     
    Power of Attorneys                                          667     
    Interviews                                                2,327     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,999     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                1,341     
    Membership                                                   89     
                                                                        
                             New York, New York                         
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     482     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,530     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,500     
    Pension                                                     185     
    Pension Maintained                                          301     
    Social Security                                               3     
    Education Benefits                                           53     
    Miscellaneous                                               172     
    Death Compensation                                           98     
    Death Pension                                                59     
    Insurance                                                    45     
    Burial Allowances                                           443     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              4,871     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $2,111,448.49  
    Total Retroactive payments                          $39,847,026.56  
    Full Amount                                         $41,958,475.05  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         7,580     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,317     
    Interviews                                                3,521     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  4,485     
    Military Affairs                                              4     
    Social Security Activities                                   17     
    New Claims                                                1,976     
    Membership                                                  284     
                                                                        
                              Albany, New York                          
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                       0     
    Compensation Increased                                        0     
    Compensation Maintained                                       0     
    Pension                                                       0     
    Pension Maintained                                            0     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                            0     
    Miscellaneous                                                 0     
    Death Compensation                                            0     
    Death Compensation                                            0     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                             0     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                                  1     
    Total Monthly Increases                                    $500.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                              $16,500.00  
    Full Amount                                             $17,000.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                             0     
    Power of Attorneys                                          207     
    Interviews                                                  686     
    Rating Board Appearances                                      2     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    6     
    New Claims                                                  554     
    Membership                                                   52     
                                                                        
                              Buffalo, New York                         
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     206     
    Compensation Increased                                      565     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,452     
    Pension                                                      73     
    Pension Maintained                                          292     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                        1,782     
    Miscellaneous                                                40     
    Death Compensation                                           51     
    Death Pension                                                29     
    Insurance                                                     6     
    Burial Allowances                                           107     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              4,604     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $2,354,013.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $28,727,569.00  
    Full Amount                                         $31,081,582.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         7,631     
    Power of Attorneys                                          762     
    Interviews                                                1,616     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  5,812     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                2,295     
    Membership                                                  102     
                                                                        
                             Syracuse, New York                         
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                       0     
    Compensation Increase                                         0     
    Compensation Maintained                                       0     
    Pension                                                       0     
    Pension Maintained                                            0     
    Social Security                                              16     
    Education Benefits                                            0     
    Miscellaneous                                                 0     
    Death Compensation                                            0     
    Death Pension                                                 0     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                             0     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                                 16     
    Total Monthly Increase                                  $32,318.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                             $319,361.00  
    Full Amount                                            $351,679.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                           475     
    Power of Attorneys                                          358     
    Interviews                                                1,815     
    Rating Board Appearances                                      0     
    Military Affairs                                             10     
    Social Security Activities                                  106     
    New Claims                                                3,100     
    Membership                                                   49     
                                                                        
                        Winston-Salem, North Carolina                   
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     516     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,768     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,669     
    Pension                                                     249     
    Pension Maintained                                          425     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          388     
    Miscellaneous                                                48     
    Death Compensation                                           51     
    Death Pension                                                26     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           296     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              5,436     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $2,740,624.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $38,675,127.00  
    Full Amount                                         $41,415,751.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         6,815     
    Power of Attorneys                                        3,073     
    Interviews                                                1,755     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  5,233     
    Military Affairs                                             29     
    Social Security Activities                                    8     
    New Claims                                                4,308     
    Membership                                                   96     
                                                                        
                             Fargo, North Dakota                        
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     164     
    Compensation Increased                                      355     
    Compensation Maintained                                     417     
    Pension                                                     185     
    Pension Maintained                                          186     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          361     
    Miscellaneous                                                24     
    Death Compensation                                           12     
    Death Pension                                               125     
    Insurance                                                     1     
    Burial Allowances                                            15     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              1,845     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $826,555.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                           $9,776,211.00  
    Full Amount                                         $10,602,766.00  
    Va Files Reviewed                                         2,474     
    Power of Attorneys                                          518     
    Interviews                                                1,403     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,123     
    Miltary Affairs                                               0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                1,213     
    Membership                                                   96     
                                                                        
                               Cleveland, Ohio                          
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     343     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,431     
    Compensation Maintained                                   2,185     
    Pension                                                     548     
    Pension Maintained                                          838     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          539     
    Miscellaneous                                                32     
    Death Compensation                                          153     
    Death Pension                                               520     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           845     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              7,434     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $3,641,191.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $51,718,584.00  
    Full Amount                                         $55,359,775.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                        13,898     
    Power of Attorneys                                        2,106     
    Interviews                                                2,406     
    Rating Board Appearances                                 11,346     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    3     
    New Claims                                                4,704     
    Membership                                                  207     
                                                                        
                              Cincinnati, Ohio                          
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                       0     
    Compensation Increased                                        0     
    Compensation Maintained                                       0     
    Pension                                                       0     
    Pension Maintained                                            0     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                            0     
    Miscellaneous                                                 0     
    Death Compensation                                            0     
    Death Pension                                                 0     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                             0     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                                  0     
    Total Monthly Increases                                      $0.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                                   $0.00  
    Full Amount                                                  $0.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                           182     
    Power of Attorneys                                          950     
    Interviews                                                  938     
    Rating Board Appearances                                    150     
    Military Affairs                                              6     
    Social Security Activities                                    9     
    New Claims                                                1,797     
    Membership                                                   19     
                                                                        
                             Muskogee, Oklahoma                         
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     363     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,071     
    Compensation Maintained                                     812     
    Pension                                                     406     
    Pension Maintained                                           53     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          784     
    Miscellaneous                                               117     
    Death Compensation                                           53     
    Death Pension                                               120     
    Insurance                                                    34     
    Burial Allowances                                           159     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              3,972     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,917,558.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $28,724,403.96  
    Full Amount                                         $30,641,961.96  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         3,875     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,362     
    Interviews                                                1,808     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  3,304     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    7     
    New Claims                                                4,264     
    Membership                                                  121     
                                                                        
                              Portland, Oregon                          
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     364     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,067     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,250     
    Pension                                                     248     
    Pension Maintained                                          366     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                          464     
    Miscellaneous                                                36     
    Death Compensation                                           46     
    Death Pension                                                49     
    Insurance                                                     3     
    Burial Allowances                                           224     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              4,118     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $2,322,626.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $32,212,838.00  
    Full Amount                                         $34,535,464.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         4,312     
    Power of Attorneys                                          659     
    Interviews                                                1,164     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  3,940     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                2,682     
    Membership                                                  140     
                                                                        
                         Philiadelphia, Pennsylvania                    
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     461     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,629     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,597     
    Pension                                                     369     
    Pension Maintained                                          400     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                          392     
    Miscellaneous                                               112     
    Death Compensation                                           86     
    Death Pension                                               144     
    Insurance                                                   126     
    Burial Allowances                                           446     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              5,763     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $2,458,460.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $39,925,939.00  
    Full Amount                                         $42,384,399.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         6,114     
    Power of Attorneys                                        2,167     
    Interviews                                                2,616     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  4,642     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    5     
    New Claims                                                2,685     
    Membership                                                  174     
                                                                        
                         Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania                     
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                       0     
    Compensation Increased                                        0     
    Compensation Maintained                                       0     
    Pension                                                       0     
    Pension Maintained                                            0     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                            0     
    Miscellaneous                                                 0     
    Death Compensation                                            0     
    Death Pension                                                 0     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                             0     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                                  0     
    Total Monthly Increases                                      $0.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                                   $0.00  
    Full Amount                                                  $0.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                            99     
    Power of Attorneys                                           60     
    Interviews                                                  478     
    Rating Board Appearances                                     69     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                  178     
    Membership                                                   19     
                                                                        
                          Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania                      
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     504     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,252     
    Compensation Maintained                                   2,716     
    Pension                                                     768     
    Pension Maintained                                        2,820     
    Social Security                                              19     
    Education Benefits                                          294     
    Miscellaneous                                               216     
    Death Compensation                                           98     
    Death Pension                                               870     
    Insurance                                                    10     
    Burial Allowances                                           237     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              9,804     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $4,507,762.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $61,614,777.00  
    Full Amount                                         $66,122,539.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         6,569     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,354     
    Interviews                                                2,279     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  3,803     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                   50     
    New Claims                                                3,560     
    Membership                                                  506     
                                                                        
                          Providence, Rhode Island                      
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     270     
    Compensation Increased                                      613     
    Compensation Maintained                                     677     
    Pension                                                       6     
    Pension Maintained                                          331     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                          189     
    Miscellaneous                                                 3     
    Death Compensation                                           33     
    Death Pension                                                59     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           139     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              2,383     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,191,836.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $19,517,610.00  
    Full Amount                                         $20,709,446.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         3,425     
    Power of Attorneys                                          588     
    Interviews                                                1,894     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  2,650     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                   27     
    New Claims                                                  940     
    Membership                                                  167     
                                                                        
                          Columbia, South Carolina                      
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     341     
    Compensation Increased                                      712     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,194     
    Pension                                                     459     
    Pension Maintained                                          288     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          333     
    Miscellaneous                                                98     
    Death Compensation                                           43     
    Death Pension                                               139     
    Insurance                                                    51     
    Burial Allowances                                           220     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              3,878     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,853,254.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $27,135,107.00  
    Full Amount                                         $28,988,361.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         4,262     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,053     
    Interviews                                                1,885     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  2,540     
    Military Affairs                                             16     
    Social Security Activities                                    8     
    New Claims                                                1,790     
    Membership                                                  149     
                                                                        
                          Sioux Falls, South Dakota                     
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     165     
    Compensation Increased                                      312     
    Compensation Maintained                                     528     
    Pension                                                     110     
    Pension Maintained                                           88     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          388     
    Miscellaneous                                                31     
    Death Compensation                                           21     
    Death Pension                                                35     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                            59     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              1,737     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $805,065.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                           $9,248,432.56  
    Full Amount                                         $10,053,497.56  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         1,666     
    Power of Attorneys                                          328     
    Interviews                                                  570     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,220     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                1,135     
    Membership                                                   44     
                                                                        
                            Nashville, Tennessee                        
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     505     
    Compensation Increased                                      945     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,362     
    Pension                                                     457     
    Pension Maintained                                          141     
    Social Security                                               2     
    Education Benefits                                          420     
    Miscellaneous                                                55     
    Death Compensation                                           41     
    Death Pension                                                86     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           213     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              4,227     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,968,960.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $31,881,928.47  
    Full Amount                                         $33,850,888.47  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         3,458     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,069     
    Interviews                                                1,071     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  3,212     
    Military Affairs                                              1     
    Social Security Activities                                    2     
    New Claims                                                2,242     
    Membership                                                  123     
                                                                        
                                 Waco, Texas                            
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                   1,006     
    Compensation Increased                                    3,074     
    Compensation Maintained                                   3,301     
    Pension                                                     639     
    Pension Maintained                                          471     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          828     
    Miscellaneous                                               265     
    Death Compensation                                          272     
    Death Pension                                               133     
    Insurance                                                     2     
    Burial Allowances                                           836     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                             10,827     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $4,981,526.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $78,811,563.00  
    Full Amount                                         $83,793,089.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                        12,148     
    Power of Attorneys                                        4,077     
    Interviews                                                2,943     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  9,680     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    1     
    New Claims                                                5,041     
    Membership                                                  146     
                                                                        
                               Houston, Texas                           
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     673     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,105     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,805     
    Pension                                                     561     
    Pension Maintained                                        1,092     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                          523     
    Miscellaneous                                                94     
    Death Compensation                                           73     
    Death Pension                                               521     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           293     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              6,741     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $3,068,597.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $41,534,884.00  
    Full Amount                                         $44,603,481.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         8,231     
    Power of Attorneys                                          597     
    Interviews                                                2,712     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  6,841     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    5     
    New Claims                                                1,239     
    Membership                                                  129     
                                                                        
                             San Antonio, Texas                         
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                       0     
    Compensation Increased                                        0     
    Compensation Maintained                                       0     
    Pension                                                       0     
    Pension Maintained                                            0     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                            0     
    Miscellaneous                                                 0     
    Death Compensation                                            0     
    Death Pension                                                 0     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                             0     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                  232     
    Total Awards                                                233     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $355,668.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                           $4,687,707.00  
    Full Amount                                          $5,043,375.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                           391     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,193     
    Interviews                                                3,623     
    Rating Board Appearances                                    185     
    Military Affairs                                          1,213     
    Social Security Activities                                    3     
    New Claims                                                2,077     
    Membership                                                  144     
                                                                        
                            Salt Lake City, Utah                        
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     170     
    Compensation Increased                                      523     
    Compensation Maintained                                     523     
    Pension                                                     114     
    Pension Maintained                                           25     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                          197     
    Miscellaneous                                                23     
    Death Compensation                                           20     
    Death Pension                                                19     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           126     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              1,741     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $964,516.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $11,801,566.00  
    Full Amount                                         $12,766,082.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         3,258     
    Power of Attorneys                                          405     
    Interviews                                                  956     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  2,049     
    Military Affairs                                            202     
    Social Security Activities                                    1     
    New Claims                                                  682     
    Membership                                                   96     
                                                                        
                        White River Junction, Vermont                   
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                      75     
    Compensation Increased                                      203     
    Compensation Maintained                                     274     
    Pension                                                      80     
    Pension Maintained                                           58     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                           51     
    Miscellaneous                                                22     
    Death Compensation                                           15     
    Death Pension                                                 1     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                            20     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                                800     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $393,290.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                           $5,638,947.00  
    Full Amount                                          $6,032,237.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         2,777     
    Power of Attorneys                                          343     
    Interviews                                                2,306     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,512     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                   22     
    New Claims                                                  948     
    Membership                                                   83     
                                                                        
                              Roanoke, Virginia                         
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     680     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,133     
    Compensation Maintained                                   2,132     
    Pension                                                     532     
    Pension Maintained                                          221     
    Social Security                                              18     
    Education Benefits                                        1,175     
    Miscellaneous                                                78     
    Death Compensation                                           65     
    Death Pension                                                58     
    Insurance                                                     1     
    Burial Allowance                                            243     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              6,336     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $3,841,251.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $49,255,639.00  
    Full Amount                                         $53,096,890.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                        10,912     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,406     
    Interviews                                                6,592     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  4,310     
    Military Affairs                                             18     
    Social Security Activities                                   31     
    New Claims                                                3,826     
    Membership                                                  182     
                                                                        
                             Seattle, Washington                        
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                   1,046     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,683     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,953     
    Pension                                                     274     
    Pension Maintained                                          103     
    Social Security                                               6     
    Education Benefits                                          904     
    Miscellaneous                                                30     
    Death Compensation                                           93     
    Death Pension                                                15     
    Insurance                                                     1     
    Burial Allowance                                            203     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              6,311     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $3,763,522.88  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $49,813,189.88  
    Full Amount                                         $53,576,712.76  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         4,518     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,670     
    Interviews                                                2,089     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  3,647     
    Military Affairs                                              1     
    Social Security Activities                                   37     
    New Claims                                                3,086     
    Membership                                                  158     
                                                                        
                          Huntington, West Virginia                     
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     114     
    Compensation Increased                                      363     
    Compensation Maintained                                     548     
    Pension                                                     241     
    Pension Maintained                                          184     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          168     
    Miscellaneous                                                57     
    Death Compensation                                           23     
    Death Pension                                                74     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowance                                            180     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              1,952     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $996,303.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $13,839,279.00  
    Full Amount                                         $14,835,582.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         2,445     
    Power of Attorneys                                          296     
    Interviews                                                1,275     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,869     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                1,085     
    Membership                                                   28     
                                                                        
                            Milwaukee, Wisconsin                        
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     461     
    Compensation Increased                                    1,376     
    Compensation Maintained                                   1,837     
    Pension                                                     350     
    Pension Maintained                                          360     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                          606     
    Miscellaneous                                                71     
    Death Compensation                                           47     
    Death Pension                                               101     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowance                                            285     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              5,495     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $2,956,078.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $39,318,032.00  
    Full Amount                                         $42,274,110.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         7,492     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,173     
    Interviews                                                2,160     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  6,838     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                   13     
    New Claims                                                3,056     
    Membership                                                  231     
                                                                        
                              Cheyenne, Wyoming                         
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                      77     
    Compensation Increased                                      118     
    Compensation Maintained                                     144     
    Pension                                                      32     
    Pension Maintained                                            6     
    Social Security                                              00     
    Education Benefits                                           10     
    Miscellaneous                                                17     
    Death Compensation                                            6     
    Death Pension                                                 1     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                            35     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                                446     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $241,763.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                           $3,995,050.00  
    Full Amount                                          $4,236,813.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                           544     
    Power of Attorneys                                           52     
    Interviews                                                  294     
    Rating Board Appearances                                    423     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                  249     
    Membership                                                    5     
                                                                        
                            Wilmington, Delaware                        
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                      50     
    Compensation Increased                                      130     
    Compensation Maintained                                     144     
    Pension                                                      17     
    Pension Maintained                                           39     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                           63     
    Miscellaneous                                                 9     
    Death Compensation                                            9     
    Death Pension                                                 4     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                            47     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                                512     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $239,620.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                           $3,225,212.50  
    Full Amount                                          $3,464,832.50  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         1,300     
    Power of Attorneys                                          107     
    Interviews                                                  534     
    Rating Board Appearances                                    728     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                  424     
    Membership                                                    8     
                                                                        
                                Dallas, Texas                           
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                       0     
    Compensation Increased                                        0     
    Compensation Maintained                                       0     
    Pension                                                       0     
    Pension Maintained                                            0     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                            0     
    Miscellaneous                                                 0     
    Death Compensation                                            0     
    Death Pension                                                 0     
    Insurance                                                     2     
    Burial Allowances                                             0     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                                  2     
    Total Monthly Increases                                 $10,000.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                              $10,000.00  
    Full Amount                                             $20,000.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                            37     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,098     
    Interviews                                                4,668     
    Rating Board Appearances                                      3     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    5     
    New Claims                                                1,410     
    Membership                                                   32     
                                                                        
                           Oklahoma City, Oklahoma                      
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                       0     
    Compensation Increased                                        0     
    Compensation Maintained                                       0     
    Pension                                                       0     
    Pension Maintained                                            0     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                            0     
    Miscellaneous                                                 0     
    Death Compensation                                            0     
    Death Pension                                                 0     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                             0     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                                  0     
    Total Monthly Increases                                      $0.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                                   $0.00  
    Full Amount                                                  $0.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                             0     
    Power of Attorneys                                          199     
    Interviews                                                3,406     
    Rating Board Appearances                                      0     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                  386     
    Membership                                                   35     
                                                                        
                            San Diego, California                       
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                   1,522     
    Compensation Increased                                      797     
    Compensation Maintained                                     967     
    Pension                                                      76     
    Pension Maintained                                           85     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                        2,067     
    Miscellaneous                                               123     
    Death Compensation                                           46     
    Death Pension                                                 7     
    Insurance                                                    98     
    Burial Allowances                                           225     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                   36     
    Total Awards                                              6,049     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $3,183,505.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                           32,548,427.00  
    Full Amount                                         $35,731,932.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         7,437     
    Power of Attorneys                                        1,796     
    Interviews                                                5,284     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  4,359     
    Military Affairs                                          3,256     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                3,003     
    Membership                                                  143     
                                                                        
                                Reno, Nevada                            
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                     237     
    Compensation Increased                                      537     
    Compensation Maintained                                     680     
    Pension                                                     102     
    Pension Maintained                                           40     
    Social Security                                               1     
    Education Benefits                                          397     
    Miscellaneous                                                29     
    Death Compensation                                           33     
    Death Pension                                                 4     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                           111     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              2,171     
    Total Monthly Increases                                $899,808.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $12,137,513.00  
    Full Amount                                         $13,037,321.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                         1,629     
    Power of Attorneys                                          586     
    Interviews                                                1,277     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,399     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                  869     
    Membership                                                   28     
                                                                        
                            San Juan, Puerto Rico                       
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                      49     
    Compensation Increased                                      219     
    Compensation Maintained                                     559     
    Pension                                                      75     
    Pension Maintained                                          103     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                          579     
    Miscellaneous                                                14     
    Death Compensation                                           31     
    Death Pension                                                 9     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                             5     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                              1,643     
    Total Monthly Increases                              $1,130,023.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                          $13,811,773.00  
    Full Amount                                         $14,941,796.00  
    Va Files Reviewed                                         2,110     
    Power of Attorneys                                          199     
    Interviews                                                2,494     
    Rating Board Appearances                                  1,225     
    Military Affairs                                              0     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                  128     
    Membership                                                   72     
                                                                        
                              Norfolk, Virginia                         
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                       0     
    Compensation Increased                                        0     
    Compensation Maintained                                       0     
    Pension                                                       0     
    Pension Maintained                                            0     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                            0     
    Miscellaneous                                                 0     
    Death Compensation                                            0     
    Death Pension                                                 0     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                             0     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                                  0     
    Total Monthly Increases                                      $0.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                                   $0.00  
    Full Amount                                                  $0.00  
    VA Files Reviewed                                            72     
    Power of Attorneys                                          741     
    Interviews                                                   72     
    Rating Board Appearances                                      0     
    Military Affairs                                          4,491     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                  918     
    Membership                                                   34     
                                                                        
                           NAS Miramar, San Diego                       
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                       0     
    Compensation Increased                                        0     
    Compensation Maintained                                       0     
    Pension                                                       0     
    Pension Maintained                                            0     
    Social Security                                               0     
    Education Benefits                                            0     
    Miscellaneous                                                 0     
    Death Compensation                                            0     
    Death Pension                                                 0     
    Insurance                                                     0     
    Burial Allowances                                             0     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                    0     
    Total Awards                                                  0     
    Total Monthly Increases                                      $0.00  
    Total Retroactive Payments                                   $0.00  
    Full Amount                                                  $0.00  
    Va Files Reviewed                                           210     
    Power of Attorneys                                          102     
    Interviews                                                  210     
    Rating Board Appearances                                      0     
    Military Affairs                                         50,486     
    Social Security Activities                                    0     
    New Claims                                                    2     
    Membership                                                    1     
                                                                        
                    Total National Service Office Report                
                                                                        
    New Service Connections                                  23,595     
    Compensation Increased                                   52,436     
    Compensation Maintained                                  69,701     
    Pension                                                  21,711     
    Pension Maintained                                       16,134     
    Social Security                                             141     
    Education Benefits                                       26,352     
    Miscellaneous                                             4,676     
    Death Compensation                                        3,606     
    Death Pension                                             7,140     
    Insurance                                                   566     
    Burial Allowances                                        13,030     
    Physical Evaluation Boards                                  399     
    Total Awards                                            239,487     
    Total Monthly Increases                            $124,740,005.66  
    Total Retroactive Payments                       $1,679,300,780.51  
    Full Amount                                      $1,804,040,786.17  
    Va Files Reviewed                                       299,300     
    Power of Attorneys                                       70,214     
    Interviews                                              141,173     
    Rating Board Appearances                                211,930     
    Military Affairs                                         64,848     
    Social Security Activities                                  806     
    New Claims                                              158,937     
    Membership                                                7,538     
                                                                        
                                                                        

    [The following written annual report was submitted by Mr. 
Bruce G. Nitsche, National Director of Voluntary Services.]

    National Commander Thomas A. McMasters, III, National Officers, 
Distinguished Guests and Delegates to the 75th national Convention of 
the Disabled American Veterans:

    ``It is better to give than to receive.'' Those words have struck a 
responsive chord in the hearts of good, kind, and loving people ever 
since biblical times.
    The man who put real meaning to that statement was Francis of 
Assisi, a man who was ready to put his money where his mouth was. 
Turning his back on the great wealth he stood to inherit from his 
father, he gave everything he owned to the poor and devoted the rest of 
his life to the needs of others.
    When his hour of death came, he suffered horribly, but he was 
enveloped by the love of many hundreds of people who had gathered to 
pay him their final tribute . . . people who believed that ``It is 
better to give than to receive''. . . people who would carry that 
phrase through the centuries that followed.
    St. Francis' admonition definitely rings in the hearts of the men 
and women who offer their love to the world through the volunteer 
programs of the Disabled American Veterans and the DAV Auxiliary. Their 
own volunteer action has proven how great the personal rewards can be 
when one gives of one's self.
    Even as the DAV celebrates its 76 years of service to America's 
disabled veterans and their families, we mark yet another anniversary 
that adds excitement to our festivities. That is the 50th anniversary 
of the DAV and Auxiliary involvement in the VA Voluntary Service 
Program.
    For 50 years now, the DAV and Auxiliary VAVS programs have become a 
vital force of compassion in the lives of the veterans who populate the 
wards of the VA.
    Today, as we celebrate the anniversaries of the DAV and our VAVS 
program, we really celebrate the wonderful people who have made our 
organization and its programs the envy of the veterans' community. 
Today, I'd like to take a moment to salute those members and everything 
they've accomplished during the year just past. Although this report 
focuses on the past year's successes, let's not stop the discussion 
there! While we can and should be proud of our past achievements, we 
must also look ahead. We must determine where the DAV and Auxiliary 
will find new volunteers to meet the growing needs of our veterans, 
particularly those who are aging. If you're not already in the ranks of 
our volunteers, we need you. We need your time, your sensitivities, 
your ideas, and your help in making certain that America's veterans get 
the care they deserve.
    As you consider your own possible future role in our volunteer 
effort, please remember that there are more than enough opportunities 
to go around--not only at VA medical centers but in the communities 
where veterans live. Think of the unused skills and talents in our 
membership ranks! Think of the services we could offer veterans if more 
of us became involved!
    The following program descriptions present statistics totaling the 
money spent, the hours donated, and the number of people who 
participate in our volunteer effort. But these figures can never fully 
represent the leadership and unselfish assistance provided by State 
VAVS Chairmen, Hospital Representatives, Deputies, and individual 
volunteers. No one can put a price on programs like transportation to 
medical treatment, direct patient care, entertainment, and recreational 
and sporting activities. No one can place a monetary value on doing for 
older veterans what they can no longer do for themselves. Nor could we 
place a dollar sign in front of the friendship one veteran extends to 
another . . . or the love an Auxiliary member holds out to a family 
much like her own. The statistics in this report merely measure what 
DAV members, DAV families, and DAV friends have done in accomplishing 
our organization's purpose. They cannot measure the gift our volunteers 
offer or the reward they receive in their own hearts.
     dav department of veterans affairs voluntary services program
    The DAV VAVS program is the largest of the DAV's volunteer 
initiatives. Through it, DAV volunteers provide a broad array of 
services to veterans in our nation's VA medical facilities. Under this 
program, 8,414 DAV VAVS volunteers donated 1,856,585 hours in the 12 
months ending March 31, 1996.
    With a group this large and the huge number of assignments they 
perform, you can imagine the extensive management effort that's carried 
out on a local level by 20 State Chairmen, 185 VAVS Representatives, 27 
Associate Representatives, 315 Deputy Representatives, and six 
Associate Deputy Representatives.
    The DAV Volunteer effort is enhanced by a very active corps of 
2,943 Auxiliary volunteers who donated 380,273 hours last year. 
Together, DAV and Auxiliary volunteers provided 2,236,858 hours of VAVS 
service over the past year--more than any other service organization. 
This is equivalent to the VA having an additional 1,100 full-time 
employees with an estimated value of $27,848,882 in hourly wages alone.
    VAVS monetary donations during 1995 totaled $2,923,160.06. Other 
hospital and service-related donations came to $9,516,809.52. This 
figure includes Department and Chapter expenditures on welfare and 
relief, as well as Hospital Service Coordinator and Department Service 
Officer programs. When you add the total Chapter and Department 
spending on volunteer programs to the estimated monetary value of the 
time donated by our volunteers, you get a total contribution in the 
range of $40 million--quite impressive by any standard!
    dav hospital service coordinator transportation network program
    Because so many sick and disabled veterans lack transportation to 
and from VA medical facilities for needed treatment, the DAV operates a 
nationwide Transportation Network. This program continues to show 
tremendous growth as an indispensable resource for veterans. Across the 
nation, 168 DAV Hospital Service Coordinators (HSCs) operate 190 active 
programs. They've recruited 5,006 volunteer drivers who logged 
17,907,663 miles last year, taking 480,753 veterans to and from VA 
medical facilities. Many of these veterans rode in vans the DAV donated 
to VA medical facilities for use in the Transportation Network. DAV 
Departments and Chapters, together with the National Organization, have 
now donated 556 vans to VA medical centers nationwide at a cost of 
$9,656,581.89.
    But DAV HSCs do more that coordinate transportation; they also help 
veterans file claims for VA benefits. HSCs have completed 72,433 VA 
claim forms, referring 24,818 veterans to DAV National Service Officers 
for professional benefits assistance. They've also conducted over 
385,000 telephone and personal interviews. DAV HSCs and VAVS volunteers 
form a hospital-based service program that thousands of veterans have 
come to know and trust for help whenever it's needed.
                 dav older veterans assistance program
    As with the American population as a whole, the fastest growing 
segment of the veteran population is the elderly. Today more than 8 
million veterans are over the age of 65. By 1999 that number is 
expected to peak at 9 million, representing 37 percent of the total 
population. For many of these veterans, these are days of loneliness, 
failing health, and economic hardship. They face growing needs in terms 
of finances, housing, nutrition, transportation, recreation, and more.
    The DAV Older Veterans Assistance Program was formed to help meet 
those needs. It's a community-based program, organized and run by local 
DAV and Auxiliary members through their Chapters and Units. To support 
that effort, the DAV's National Organization has provided $180,336 in 
grant assistance to DAV Chapters with active programs. Chapter 
volunteers help older veterans with everyday problems in obtaining 
basic life support items like food, shelter, clothing . . . maintaining 
a balanced diet . . . getting to the store or a doctor's appointment. 
In some communities DAV members even make home repairs, which can be as 
simple as replacing burned out light bulbs in ceiling fixtures that an 
older veteran can no longer reach or as extensive as building an 
entrance ramp to the front door for a veteran who can no longer 
negotiate the front steps.
                   the george h. seal memorial award
    The George H. Seal Memorial Award recognizes an outstanding DAV and 
Auxiliary VAVS volunteer each year, people whose volunteer activities 
closely reflect the values that characterized the life of the late 
National DAV VAVS Representative George Seal.
    During the 19 years since its inception, this award has become one 
of the most esteemed honors presented at the DAV's annual national 
convention. VA Medical Center Chiefs of Voluntary Services throughout 
the nation are each allowed to submit nominations for one DAV and one 
DAVA volunteer. These nominations submitted by VA medical centers 
throughout the nation are then thoroughly evaluated by an independent 
committee composed of well-known authorities in the field of voluntary 
service. The two volunteers selected by the committee receive an 
expense-paid trip to the DAV national convention for the award 
presentation. After reviewing the nominations of 91 DAV volunteers and 
54 Auxiliary volunteers, the committee chose as this year's winners:
    Tillman Rutledge.--A life member of DAV Chapter No. 5, Mr. Rutledge 
has been a volunteer at the Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center (VAMC), 
San Antonio, Texas for 20 years with over 25,500 hours of service. He 
volunteers for the Chaplain, Recreation Therapy, and Voluntary 
Services. The Chiefs of these three services are extremely confident in 
Mr. Rutledge's invaluable service and support in managing their 
programs. He recruits, trains, and monitors volunteers' activities 
throughout the state of Texas and specifically at the VAMC. He ensures 
that volunteer programs are carried out in keeping with hospital and 
organization policies.
    Mr. Rutledge is currently serving in his third year as DAV 
Department of Texas VAVS Chairman. During this period he has improved 
the reporting of volunteer hours throughout Texas. The effect of these 
improvements is that volunteers are now receiving their earned 
recognition from the National Organization.
    His volunteer service does not stop at the hospital--he also serves 
as the DAV Benefits Protection Team Leader for the DAV Department of 
Texas. In this volunteer position, Mr. Rutledge has been the driving 
force behind the Benefits Protection Program in the state.
    As a VAVS volunteer, Mr. Rutledge goes the extra mile by assisting 
with any special project or activity in the hospital apart from his 
assigned duties, anything from a special event to a routine errand or 
answering the phone. What is most appreciated is that he performs all 
of his duties with joy and as if they were the most important functions 
in the hospital. He is not a person who responds negatively to any 
request. The only concern that the VA employees have concerning Mr. 
Rutledge is that he will do too much because he is so capable and 
willing. As the DAV State Commander puts it . . . ``Tillman will 
undertake anything asked of him. He does not know the word ``NO;'' it 
is not in his vocabulary. He will do anything he can to make matters 
better for his fellow veterans. Not only does Mr. Rutledge volunteer at 
this facility, but also at Willford Hall Air Force Hospital.
    Mr. Rutledge saw a need for notary services for patients. Out of 
his own pocket and concern he became a notary public, and provides that 
service free of charge to patients and their families. He is often 
called at home, sometimes late at night to notarize wills and other 
documents.
    A former POW, Mr. Rutledge has dedicated his life to helping his 
fellow man, specifically veterans. This in itself is noteworthy 
considering he was put through tremendous personal pain and disgrace at 
the hands of a foreign force. It would have been easy for Mr. Rutledge, 
upon his return from the POW experience, to try to wash away the 
unpleasant memories and years of torture by staying as far away as 
possible from the military and veterans. But that is not his way.
    His supervisors describe Mr. Rutledge as . . . ``singularly 
superb--absolutely outstanding . . . an inspiration . . . epitomizes 
volunteerism at its best and is a credit to the DAV . . . serves the 
veteran, his fellow volunteers and the South Texas Veterans Health Care 
System with distinction.''
    Dorothy Marie Waters.--A life member of DAV Auxiliary Unit No. 83 
and a regularly scheduled volunteer at the North Chicago, IL VA Medical 
Center in the areas of Community Affairs (Voluntary Service), Medical 
Administration Service, and Chaplain Service. As of January 1996, Mrs. 
Waters has 43 years of service and 32,000 hours as a volunteer, and she 
takes great pride in whatever she is called upon to do. As a front door 
greeter to patients and guests, she is a role model in the VAMC's 
``Goodwill Ambassador'' program for other volunteers, VAVS 
Representatives and even VA staff members. Arriving each morning at 
4:30 a.m., she prepares the coffee and refreshments for fellow 
volunteers and logs them in for their assignment areas. Her cheerful 
nature starts everyone's day on a happy note and a wish for a good day.
    At 82 years young and in excellent helath, she drives 20 miles each 
way to the VAMC, with the often inclement Chicago weather not deterring 
her in the slightest. Her volunteer assignment is between 4:30 a.m. and 
3:00 p.m., averaging 52.5 hours per week. Unselfishly assuming her 
volunteer work responsibilities above and beyond the call of duty. Due 
to the expanded role of the voluntary service department, which 
includes public affairs, media support, and information services, she 
is often called upon to assist with projects on a moment's notice. Her 
accomplishments and contributions to the VAMC testify to Mrs. Waters as 
a special individual who brings quality and integrity to the meaning of 
volunteer service. She is described as one who has ``truly answered the 
call!''
    The selection committee once again stated that all of the nominees 
are very special volunteers. Each nominee has been awarded a 
certificate of merit for outstanding volunteer performance in meeting 
the needs of hospitalized veterans.
                        sports for the disabled
    Athletic programs for handicapped veterans have always been 
important to the DAV. We have a history of leadership in efforts that 
encourage athletic activity among disabled veterans of all ages. 
Working together with the VA, DAV leaders are committed to providing 
these men and women with opportunities to participate in sports which 
many thought would not be possible with their disabilities.
    The Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation previously cited 
a study in which Kathy Stokes, Ph.D., reported that ``the health care 
needs of those not involved in sports activities were three times 
higher than those involved in some type of sporting program.'' Modern 
Healthcare Magazine states that sports offer a better quality of life, 
improved self-confidence and self-esteem, and a way for many newly 
disabled people to adjust to their handicaps. Athletic activity 
provides a new and very necessary social outlet, while improving 
physical endurance and maintaining physical fitness.
    More and more, doctors recognize it's not enough to stabilize 
patients medically and send them home. Without an introduction to 
sports or recreation, the hospital will see that person again and 
again. Disabled people involved in sports generally encounter fewer 
medical problems than those who aren't, therapists say. Athletics 
maintain cardiovascular conditioning, increase circulation to the 
extremities, and help avert skin breakdowns. Another advantage is that 
sports are community-based rather than hospital-based undertakings. The 
DAV believes disabled veterans should have the same opportunity to 
participate in these activities as those who aren't handicapped.
    The DAV National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic.--In March, 
more than 240 disabled veterans from 38 states took part in the 10th 
National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic at Crested Butte, 
Colorado. With more than 500 volunteers--including 147 ski instructors, 
most of whom are certified in teaching the disabled--it was the largest 
and best Winter Sports Clinic ever conducted. An annual event sponsored 
jointly by the DAV and VA, the clinic is open to veterans with visual 
impairments, spinal-cord injuries, certain neurological conditions, 
orthopedic amputations, or other severe disabilities. Veterans disabled 
in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, and Bosnia were 
represented. Our sponsors this year were:
          National: Lockheed Martin; Prince Bandar bin Sultan; Sprint.
          Gold: American Express Company; Baxter Healthcare 
        Corporation; Bayer Corporation; The Coca-Cola Company; Johnson 
        & Johnson Health Care Systems. Inc.; Milbank; Memorial Fund; 
        PaineWebber.
          Silver: American Country Countdown with Bob Kingsley; DAV-
        California Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc.; DAV-Department of 
        Colorado; Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher; General Electric 
        Medical Systems; London International U.S. Holdings, Inc.; 
        McGaw, Inc.; The Rex Foundation; Roho, Inc. and Crown 
        Therapeutics, Inc.; Schiff, Kreidler-Shell, Inc.; Science 
        Applications International Corporation (SAIC); 3M; Zeneca 
        Pharmaceuticals.
          Bronze: Advanced Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc.; AMSUS-
        Sustaining Members; AT&T Wireless Services; C.R. Bard, Inc.; 
        Dickstein, Shapiro & Morin, L.L.P.; Evian; Federal Practitioner 
        John, Cathy, Timothy, and Taffney Fischer; Flex-Foot, Inc.; 
        Genentech, Inc.; Hoechst Marion Roussel; Kuschall of America; 
        Eli Lilly and Company; Marsam/Schein Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 
        Oakley; Orthotics & Prosthetics National Office; Pfizer, Inc.; 
        Piper & Marbury, L.L.P.; Radventures, Inc.; SmithKline Beecham 
        Pharmaceuticals; SSDS, Inc.; Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., 
        Chapter #57.
    Using the theme of ``Changing Lives,'' the clinic promotes 
rehabilitation by helping physically disabled veterans develop sports 
skills through a wide variety of adaptive workshops. With assistance 
from hundreds of volunteers, the clinic breaks down physical and 
emotional barriers that could otherwise block participation in these 
sports. It allows the veterans to regain lost self-confidence and find 
their own limits. The workshops focus on such sports skills as downhill 
and cross-country skiing, wheelchair basketball, scuba diving, 
wheelchair self-defense, golf, and snowmobiling.
                           dav freedom award
    Four years ago we instituted the DAV Freedom Ward at the National 
Disabled Veterans Winter Sport Clinic. It is given each year to the 
veteran who makes the most progress during the week, showing 
outstanding courage and accomplishments in taking a giant step forward 
in his or her rehabilitation process. This annual award is sponsored by 
His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Ambassador of Saudi 
Arabia. The award's inscription reads: ``Your accomplishments during 
the . . . DAV National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic have 
proved to the world that physical disability does not bar the doors to 
freedom. We salute your desire to excel so that others may follow.'' 
The 1996 recipient was Martin Begosh of Rockville, Maryland.
    A first-time Clinic participant, Mr. Martin Begosh was performing 
missions in Bosnia when the military Humvee he was driving hit a land 
mine and was destroyed. Two fellow soldiers were uninjured, but Mr. 
Begosh's right foot, ankle, and leg were shattered. As he scrambled 
from the wreckage, he fell on another land mine. Fortunately this one 
was an anti-vehicle land mine and did not detonate. ``I'm not sure 
whether I'll lose my foot or not said Mr. Begosh. ``But I don't worry 
about that. Considering everything involved with my accident, I realize 
it could have been much worse. I'm really just happy to be alive.'' 
Although Mr. Begosh's leg was still in a cast and he faced many months 
of extensive surgery when he went to the clinic, he still attended the 
different activities and had an incredible time. ``I had no idea what 
to expect from the clinic.'' he said. ``People said it would be a fun 
time, but I had no idea it would be as fun as it is!'' He has already 
snowmobiled, cross-country skied, and even tried the bi-ski. (All this 
from a man who's doctor's instructed him to ``take it easy.'') When he 
wasn't tearing up the slopes, he could be found soaking up some sun and 
meeting as many people as possible. ``Everybody here has really 
motivated and inspired me,'' he said. ``Everywhere you go, guys are 
giving it their all. No matter what their disability, they're not 
stopping--they're not giving up. I'm really awed by the whole 
experience.''
    Mr. Begosh is modest about his experience in Bosnia and disagree 
with those who consider him a hero. ``Some people say I'm a hero just 
because I went to Bosnia and got my foot blown up,'' he said. ``I don't 
see why I'm a hero, I volunteered to go over there, fully aware of the 
risk factors, and I didn't let that hamper my mission. I'm no braver 
than any other soldier who is still over there.''
    For Bosnia vet Mr. Begosh, he has been given a second chance at 
life and he plans to live each day to its fullest. At only 23, he has 
already learned how fragile life can be. Mr. Begosh's plans for the 
future are relatively simple: to stay in good spirits, to work at his 
recovery, and to do his best to be a good role model for others. ``My 
accident has really woken me up and shown me how fragile life can be. I 
haven't done half the things in life that I want to do. In a way, I 
feel like I've been given a second chance, so I'm going to make sure 
that I slow down, enjoy life and, in a sense--live a little.''
    Golf for the Disabled.-- Golf is one of the fastest growing and 
most popular sports in America, perhaps in the world. Recognizing this 
fact, the DAV and DAV Charitable Service Trust support two golf 
programs that promote rehabitation and a more active lifestyle for 
disabled veterans:
    National Amputee Gold Open Championships-- The DAV National 
Commander's Trophy honors the disabled veteran who puts in the best 
overall performance at the National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA) 
championship tour