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Public Affairs COMMITTEE REPORT
BY KEITH KING, CHAIR
Two new Public Affairs Resolutions were adopted at the 2007
Convention and, as you will see, the Public Awareness Campaign
for Veteran Benefits obligated the Committee to launch at
least a $20,000 advertising campaign to spread the word.
The Campaign also encourages all VVA chapters to publicize
the availability of our VVA Service Officers. The Public
Affairs Committee has submitted the budget request and, upon
approval of the budget, we will do the creative work and
launch the campaign.
The second new Resolution calls on the
committee to support the creation and funding of the Gold
Star Mothers Monument. There is no financial impact on
VVA. By including it in this report, we have met the obligation
of the Resolution to publicize it.
P-12-07 Public Awareness
for Veterans Benefits Campaign
The members of VVA call for the Public Affairs Committee
to do whatever is necessary to provide at least $20,000 in
the 2008 budget to advertise to the membership and the public
and to publicize the availability of veterans’ benefits
and how to claim them. Further, the membership instructs
the leadership to encourage chapters to publicize the availability
of service officers to file claims. We further request that
a letter be sent to the VA Department with a copy of this
resolution.
Financial Impact Statement: In accordance with
VVA procedures requiring an expenditure estimate to implement
the Resolution, it is submitted that an expenditure of $20,000
is required to create various forms of public advertising.
P-13-07
Gold Star Mothers National Monument
Vietnam Veterans of America applauds our Gold Star Mothers
and supports the development and construction of an American
Gold Star Mothers National Monument in Washington, D.C. Further,
each chapter and State Council is encouraged to reach out
to Gold Star Mothers in their communities and to help with
fundraising needed to construct the Monument.
Financial Impact
Statement: The implementation of the foregoing Resolution
shall have a negligible financial impact, since it requires
only the publishing of the Resolution in The VVA Veteran.
Public
Affairs Resolutions P-01, 02, 03, and 05 were written to
encourage local chapter members to get involved within their
communities. Although the PA Committee is always looking
for outstanding examples of the work being done by our chapters,
we do not have a specific update to present regarding these
continuing Resolutions.
P-1-95 Community Services
Resolved, That: VVA encourages chapters to take the initiative
to make a better community for everyone and serve as a focal
point to promote the interrelationship between Vietnam veterans
and the community. To accomplish this mission, VVA, at the
national, state, and local levels, should publish useful
materials, including national and state Resolutions, through
the media to communicate our message.
P-2-95 Children’s
Welfare
Resolved, That: VVA calls upon Vietnam-era veterans and their
families, through financial and personal contributions, to
act responsibly to ensure the protection and development
of infants and children in the United States and throughout
the world.
P-3-95 Chapter Involvement with Educational Institutions
on Teaching the Vietnam War
Resolved, That: VVA encourages the balanced, comprehensive
teaching of the Vietnam War at all educational levels, including
the Department of Defense education system. Chapters are
encouraged to establish ties with schools and colleges in
their local areas for the purpose of making appropriate individuals
available to assist in teaching the Vietnam War.
P-4-95 Regulation
of Certain Activities at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Resolved, That: VVA strongly recommends that the National
Park Service, with the fullest capabilities of its jurisdiction
and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, prohibit
the use of the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington,
D.C., and adjacent areas for press conferences, politically
motivated actions or statements, and all conduct not in keeping
with its purpose as a place of healing, remembrance, and
acknowledgment of the costs of the Vietnam War.
Furthermore,
VVA urges the National Park Service to continue its vigilance
concerning vendors and solicitors in the immediate vicinity
of the Memorial and ensure an atmosphere of reverence and
respect for those honored there.
P-5-95 Endorsement for Participation
in Local Environmental Efforts
Resolved, That: VVA encourages chapters and State Councils
to work with other groups and participate in programs and
political efforts to minimize the adverse effects of toxic-
and nuclear-waste dumping, and to encourage general recycling
efforts and home energy efficiency.
P-6-03 Biennial Publication
of the VVA Constitution and Convention Resolutions in The
VVA Veteran
Resolved, That: VVA resolves to publish its Constitution
and Convention Resolutions in The VVA Veteran every two years,
after each National Convention.
P-7-03 Requirement To Report
Progress on All Currently Approved Convention Resolutions
at Least Annually
Resolved, That: VVA requires that all national committees
and task forces report at least annually in The VVA Veteran
on actions taken which further the implementation of currently
active Convention Resolutions.
P-8-01 The Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Wall
Resolved, That: VVA calls upon Vietnam veterans, along with
their adjunct organization, Associates of Vietnam Veterans
of America, to support and maintain their commitment to conserve
the legacy, respect, and honor that The Wall has come to
mean to Vietnam veterans and their families
P-10-01 Recognition
of Veterans Against Drugs Task Force
Resolved, That: Vietnam Veterans of America, whose motto
is “In Service To America,” recognizes and supports
the Veterans Against Drugs Task Force commitment to be drug
free in order to be an example of the values of Vietnam Veterans
of America. Note: The VAD Program has been moved to the VVAF.
P-11-07
Support for Chapel Recognition Program
Resolved, That: VVA continues to support the annual award
of three levels of Chapel awards to deserving members of
AVVA and VVA; and that VVA shall support, in any feasible
way, the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America at all
Chapel functions at no cost to the VVA national organization.
One Public Affairs Resolution was moved to the Government
Affairs Committee for follow up and action: P-9-05 Vietnam
War In Memory Memorial Plaque Project. The committee felt
that the appropriate effort to address this issue was through
legislative efforts and therefore reassigned this Resolution.
Committee
members: Keith King, Chair; Pat Bessigano, Vice Chair; Jim
Boyd, Grant Coates, Pat Daniels, Pat Gualtieri, Tom Hall,
Paul Kobeluch, James Maddox, Dave McMichael, Tom Meinhardt,
John Miner, Charlie Montgomery, Carol Schetrompf, Dick Southern,
Dan Stenvold, Jerry Yamamoto; Special Advisers: Kathleen
Aylward-Barnes, Mary Miller, Nancy Switzer, Judy Vargo; Staff
Liaisons: Carol Engle, Wes Guidry, Mokie Porter, Michael
Keating.
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©2006-
2008, Vietnam Veterans of America. All Rights Reserved. 8605 Cameron
Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910