Minutes of

The American Legion – Department of Texas

2^nd Division Convention, April 30-May 2, 2010

Held at Crown Plaza NW – 12801 NW Fwy., Houston

SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2010

Before the opening of the Convention, workshops were conducted starting at 10:00 a.m.

A Joint Session of the Convention was opened in due form at 1:10 p.m. by 2^nd Division Commander Lynn Sparks. She opened the Business Meeting at 2:00 p.m.

CONVENTION CALL & ROLL CALL – Adjutant Jerry Blaylock read the Convention Call (Encl. 1). He then called the roll of Division Officers and Committeemen followed by roll call of Posts by District (Encl. 2).

MINUTES – Motion was made to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the last Division Convention. The motion was 2^nd and passed.

INTRODUCTIONS – Commander Sparks recognized those Past National Officer, Department Officers, Past Department, Division, and District Commanders not previously recognized.

RULES COMMITTEE REPORT – Kervin Bradford gave the Rules Committee report of their meeting at 10:50 a.m. on May 1, 2010 (Encl. 3). He moved that the report be accepted, seconded by Glenda Simon, and passed.

CREDENTIALS – Butch Sparks gave the 1^st report on the posts that turned in Certification of Delegates by District (Encl. 28). Several posts have not yet tuned in their delegates lists. The final report on certifications and voting strength will be given tomorrow before the elections.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

AMERICANISM – Steve Anderson gave his report on Americanism. He mentioned the location of the Moving Wall on May 5, 2010, and American Legion Riders activities.

BASEBALL – Terry Messinger reported that the 22^nd District with the 8^th District currently has 14 teams this year. He has had no contacts from the other districts.

BOY SCOUTS – Larry Eary reported on Boy Scouts (Encl. 4). The application for one Eagle Scout was submitted to Department for competition, and to the Verne “Red” Barridge Memorial Boy Scout Scholarship Fund.

BOYS STATE – Bill Manbeck reported that this is the 75^th year for Boys State in Texas. Department only has 431 boys this year. The 22^nd Division has 55 boys and the 8^th District has about 40 boys.

CHILDREN & YOUTH – Ashton Thomas had no report.

CONVENTION CITY 2010 – Ashton Thomas update us on activities and entertainment planned for the 2010 Department Convention in Beaumont (Encl. 5).

COMMUNITY SERVICE – Al Marlowe reported that Districts 2, 7, 8, and 22 helped place 22,000 wreaths at the Houston National Cemetery on December 12, 2009. He also reported on the Memorial Day activities planned at the Houston National Cemetery (Encl. 6).

CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS – Wayne Basden reported that there were no changes to the Constitution and By-Laws submitted at this convention.

CONVENTION CITY – Buddy McFarland welcomed the delegates to this Convention. There will be 160-165 at the banquet tonight.

LAW & ORDER – J. D. Davis reported that the packets he distributed at Mid-Winter for Law Officers, Firemen, and Paramedics of the Year has to be in Austin by June 1, 2010. The application must be signed by the Post Commander and Adjutant, and District Commander and Adjutant.

MEMBERSHIP & ORGANIZATION – Butch Sparks reported on membership (Encl. 7). The news was not good. Only eight posts on the Division has reached or surpassed their membership goal. Only seven posts are at 90 plus percent of their goal. Posts in the Division have only recruited 1,131 new members this year. Posts in the Division also are not doing a good job retaining our members.

NATIONAL SECURITY – Clayton Hueske discussed Arizona’s new illegal immigration laws and that Americans should be able to speak English.

LEGISLATIVE – Ken Peters discussed our Freedom of Speech and responsibility to vote (Encl. 8). It is our duty to be informed, and to inform our politicians as to what we desire. He also reported on the Ride 2 Recovery cyclists (Encl. 9).

ORATORICAL AND AWARDS – Tom Larsen reported on the 2^nd Division winner of the Oratorical Contest and that she won 3^rd place at Department. Only two of the six districts participated in the 2^nd Division Oratorical Contest this year.

POW/MIA – Austin Berry defined POW/MIA’s and reported that as of 2005, during WWI there were 4,120; WWII, 130,201; Korea, 7,140; Vietnam, 725; Gulf War, 7; and Iraq, 9. Austin reported on the history of the POW/MIA movement, the design of the POW/MIA symbol and flag, and their use in the American Legion (Encl. 10).

PUBLIC RELATIONS – Glenda Simon had no report.

RESOLUTIONS – George Bannon read the 2^nd Division Resolution Committee Report (Encl. 11). There were 7 resolutions submitted, 5 for candidates, 1 for information only, and 1 for action. He read the post and resolve clause of the following resolutions:

Resolution for Information

National Resolution No. 21 (Encl. 12).

Resolutions for Candidates

1. Post 48’s request for Endorsement of Kenneth Mueller running for Department Commander 2010-2011 (Encl. 13). Butch Sparks moved that this resolution be set aside.

2. Post 430’s request for Endorsement of Conrad L. Robinson running for National Executive Committeeman 2010-2012 (Encl. 14).

3. Post 81’s request for Endorsement of Jim Prendergast running Alternate National Executive Committeeman 2010-2012 (Encl. 15).

4. Post 361’s request for Endorsement of Billy R. Winters running for Department Sgt-At-Arms 2010-2011 (Encl. 16). Wayne Basden moved that this resolution be set aside.

5. Post 832’s request for Endorsement of Harry E. Hicks, Jr. running for Department Vice Commander 2010-2011 (Encl 17). Butch Sparks moved that this resolution be set aside.

Resolution for Action

Post 7 Resolution No. 1 to allow membership opportunities in our American

Legion family for non-legion qualified male spouses of female legionnaires.

It was moved that this resolution be set aside (Encl. 18).

George Bannon moved that the Resolutions Committee Report (Encl. 11) be adopted, 2^nd by Butch Sparks, and it passed.

Butch Sparks moved that we endorse Kenneth Mueller for Department Commander 2010-2011, 2^nd by John Bares, and passed.

Wayne Basden moved that we endorse Billy R. Winters for Department Sgt-At-Arms 2010-2011; the motion was seconded and passed.

Butch Sparks moved that we endorse Harry E. Hicks, Jr. for Department Vice Commander 2010-2011, 2^nd by Wayne Basden, and passed.

Gary Alford moved that we endorse Post 7 Resolution No. 1, 2^nd by John Barnes, and after much discussion, passed.

S.A.L. ADVISOR – Dan King reported that the 2^nd Division Sons of the American Legion Squadrons are at 117.7% membership goals (Encl. 19). There are 36 squadrons and 108 posts in the Division, so only 1/3 of the posts have squadrons.

SERVICE OFFICER – Jim Hauck reported on help provided by the Division posts to various individual and groups.

WEBMASTER – Jerry Blaylock reported on the 2^nd Division Website (Encl. 20). The website was developed with the help of the Division Commander 4-5 years ago; it was up for a couple of years, down last year, and back up this year. It is due to be renewed by the new District Commander by June 8, 2010. The website contains pictures, membership date, commander’s messages, calendar, and links to other websites. The URL is www.legiondiv2.com.

BOY SCOUT FUND – John Bares reported on the Verne “Red” Berridge Memorial Boy Scout Fund (Encl. 21). There is $4,227.48 in the Fund. A $500 scholarship was awarded to an Eagle Scout submitted by Post 159 in Bryan. John Bares moved that the report be accepted, 2^nd by Al Marlowe, and passed.

CANIDATES FOR OFFICE – The following candidates for office spoke:

Harry E. Hicks, Jr. – Department Vice Commander 2010-2011

Billy R. Winters – Department Sgt-at-Arms 2010-2011.

RECESS – After a benediction, Commander Sparks recessed the meeting at 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. Sunday, May 2, 2010.

BANQUET

A banquet was held at the Crown Plaza Northwest at 6:00 p.m. The guest speaker was Past Department Commander Butch Sparks. Checks for $1,000 each were presented on behalf of the Seigmund Fund to representatives of the Baylor College of Medicine and the Shriners at the banquet. Baylor College of Medicine and the Shriners also received checks from the Falligent Fund for approximately $1,251 each. An auction was held after the banquet.

SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010

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JOINT MEMORIAL SERVICE was conducted at 8:00 a.m., and the Business Meeting reconvened at 9:00 a.m. in the usual manner.

ROLL CALL – Adjutant Jerry Blaylock called the roll of Division Officers and Committeemen followed by roll call of Posts by District (Encl. 2). Four posts that were present yesterday were not on the floor today, and therefore, they do not have a vote.

DISTRICT COMMANDERS’ REPORTS

2^nd DISTRICT – Ken Baxter, Vice Commander, report that four post in his District reached 100% of their membership goal (see Encl. 22).

6^th DISTRICT – James Osborne, Vice Commander, reported that two boys from the District went to Boys Nation. They are well on the way of reestablishing the post in Burleson.

S.A.L. – Ken Peters, 2^nd Division S.A.L. Commander was introduced. He introduced the Detachment Commander, Robert Sonner, who greeted the convention from the Detachment of Texas. He recognized Juan Torres, incoming 2^nd Division S.A.L. Commander.

7^th DISTRICT – Sheila Schulte reported on the 7^th District activities (Encl. 23). She is moving with her husband who is being transferred to Louisiana. Post 868 is at 105% of their membership goal.

8^th DISTRICT – Howard Mead reported on the 8^th District (Encl. 24). District funds were stolen by the then-District Finance Officer in 2008. Theft charges were filed in the 338^th District Court and the District hopes to recover some funds. The Siegmunf Fund, managed jointly by the 8^th and 22^nd Districts, has a new Finance Officer, Tom Larsen.

11^th DISTRICT – Donald Damron reported on the 11^th District activities (Encl. 25). The District revitalized Post 123 and they attained 113% of their membership goal. The District presented a check for $3,800 to Fort Hood for those 38 wounded in the shooting there.

22^nd DISTRICT – Terry Messinger reported on the 22^nd District activities (Encl. 26). Posts in the District have supported the veterans at the VA Hospital. The District held a District BBQ Cook-Off fundraiser with 26 teams competing. The National Drill Team Champion is in the District, Post 472. The District supports Legion Baseball and Boys State, and ROTC.

DIVISION COMMANDER’S REPORT – Commander Lynn Sparks reported that she enjoyed being Division Commander, most of the time. She report on her many activities and travels as Division Commander. She thanked her husband Butch Sparks for his support throughout the year (Encl. 27).

2^nd REPORT OF CREDENTIALS – Butch Sparks gave the final report on credentials (Encl. 28). He gave the voting strength by Post and District. The total posts on the floor are 24, with 397 votes. It was moved that the report be accepted, seconded, and passed.

DEPARTMENT CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS – Butch Sparks and George Bannon reviewed the Department Constitution and By-Laws and the Constitution and By-Laws Committee will be discussing them at the Department Convention.

ADJUTANT – Jerry Blaylock expressed his pleasure for serving as the District Commander’s Adjutant this year. He publicly thanked Butch and Lynn for mentoring him in the American Legion.

CHAPLAIN – Charles Denson reported on serving as District Chaplain this year.

FINANCE OFFICER – Tom Larsen gave a financial report (Encl. 29).

JUDGE ADVOCATE – Ralph Morris reported that “there were no problems, everything is great and wonderful.”

SGT-AT-ARMS – Jerry Tatman was thanked by the Commander for all of his hard work.

POST AWARDS – 100% awards for reaching 100% before 30 days before the Department Convention: Posts 393, 817, 868, and 522. Posts 255, 250, 526, and 123 were recognized for reaching 100% before December 31, 2009. Commander Sparks presented individual certificates to her officers and committee chairmen.

MEMBERSHIP TURN-INS – Post 7 turned in 2 members and Post 618, 24.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONVENTION

Gilbert Bell was duly elected Delegate and Milton Chatham was duly elected Alternate to the 2010 National American Legion Convention.

ELECTION OF 2^nd DIVISION COMMANDER 2008-2009

J. D. Davis was elected by acclamation as the 2^nd Division Commander for 2010-2011. There were no other nominations. He gave an acceptance speech and announced various appointments.

GOOD OF THE LEGION

Commander Sparks encouraged attendance at the Department Legion College on July 10-11, 2010, in Austin.

Buddy McFarland reported on his activities as Convention City Chairman.

Commander Sparks commented on the importance of preregistering for Division Conventions and making Hotel Reservation early.

Commander Sparks thanked Bill Manbeck for working in the District hospitality room.

The Department Convention will be held June 23-27, 2010, at the Holiday Inn Plaza, Beaumont, Texas.

$1,945 was raised at the auction last night.

The Convention was adjourned in due form by Commander Sparks at 10:30 a. m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jerry Blaylock

2^nd Division Adjutant