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	Spring 2010
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August 1st, 2010

     The American GI Forum of Texas, Inc. held it’s 62nd Annual Conference in Austin, hosted by the Austin Chapter of the AGIF of Texas, Inc. The conference centered around concerns for veterans, specifically the homeless veterans who’s numbers are staggering. The National Veterans Outreach Program based in San Antonio, Texas has, for 37 years, been the flagship of the American GI Forum of Texas. Their diversified programs are designed to help with jobs training, job placement and with their non-profit companies help and hire veterans. Education, Immigration, increased Veteran Services and Economic Development were topics of discussion and resolutions. The seminar and speakers also focused on some of the current issues.
     Colonel McNabb is the Chief, Joint Staff, Texas Military Forces was the Keynote Speaker for the Commanders’ Banquet. She spoke on the Military Operation as it relates to the Air National Guard. The work done during war conditions as well as during National Catastrophes. The quick response necessary to evacuate civilians and provide much need supplies and equipment.
     Colonel Orlando Salinas, Commander of the 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) also spoke at the Conference. MEB consists of a Brigade Headquarters, two Field Artillery Battalions, a Military Police Battalion, a Brigade Support Battalion and a Signal Network Support Company. The units are stationed in 17 facilities in 16 cities throughout Texas comprising over 2300 Soldiers.
     Mary Helen Berlanga, Senior Member of the Texas State Board of Education, as the keynote speaker delivered an emotional and fiery speech before the membership during the Friday luncheon of American GI Forum of Texas 62nd annual conference in Austin, Texas during their Friday luncheon. She highlighted certain issues and events leading up to the major debate on the Social Studies curriculum “update.” She spoke on how the State Board of Education has evolved since first elected in 1983. She ended her speech with heartfelt and tearful words of appreciation to the American GI Forum membership and their leadership for the support shown throughout the entire Social-Studies debate.
     The Conference concluded with the installation of 2010-2011 officers and a Board Meeting of the newly elected officers:
Mr. Larry Perez, State Commander
McLellan County Chapter
Mr. John Martinez, Vice Commander
Houston Lucian Adams Chapter
Mr. Angel Zuniga, 2nd Vice Commander
Corpus Christi Richard L. Rocco Chapter
Mr. Gil Rodriguez, State Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Austin Chapter
Mr. Ed Rendon, Secretary
Port Lavaca Justo ‘Howdy’ Leal Chapter
Mr. Daniel Delgado, Sgt-at-Arms
San Antonio Miguel Hernandez Memorial Chapter
Fa. Richard Peña, Chaplain
San Antonio Miguel Hernandez Memorial Chapter
Mr. Paul Herrera, Immediate Past State Commander
Austin Chapter

Ms. Tina Cruz, Women’s Chairwoman
Corpus Christi Coastal Bend Women’s Chapter
Mrs. Jennie Aleman, Vice Chairwoman
Greater Houston Women’s Chapter
Mrs. Sylvia Garza, Secretary
San Marcos Sgt. John Paul Memorial Women’s Chapter
Mrs. Betty Manchego, Treasurer
McLellan County Women’s Chapter
Mrs. Guillerma Morales, Immediate Past Chairwoman
Terrant County Women’s Chapter
Mr. Amador Garcia, Legal Advisor
Corpus Christi Dr. Hector P. Garcia Founder’s Chapter
Ms. Stephanie Lefthand, Youth Chair
McLellan County Youth Chapter

American GI Forum of Texas, Inc.

State Commander
The State Commander is the Head of The American GI Forum of Texas Inc., along with the Executive Board has power to enforce provisions of the Forum’s constitution, bylaws and resolutions of the governing body, the state convention, which meets yearly to set policy for the organization. The State Commander serves a one-year term, along with the Executive Board of Directors who are also elected annually.

State Executive Board and Constitutional Officers
In addition to the State Commander and 2 Vice-Commanders, Secretary, Sgt-at Arms, 4 constitutional officers appointed annually by the commander. They are: Chaplain, Legal Advisor, Parliamentarian and a Veteran Service Office. The Executive Board Officers elected at the State Conference take office upon adjournment of the Conference and serve until the end of the next conference. The immediate Past Commander and Past Chairwoman are considered board members; They can join debate on issues and maintain a vote.

State Executive Secretary-Treasurer
The Executive Secretary-Treasurer is selected by the Board of Directors and has the Administrative power, responsible for drafting an annual budget, approving contracts and signing off on State spending. The Executive Secretary-Treasurer is a delegate with full voting power during the Forum’s Fall and Spring meetings and during the State Conference. In short, the State Executive Secretary-Treasurer serves as the organization’s Administrator.

American GI Forum Women & Youth
Founded in 1949, The American GI Forum is a Family Veterans Orgainzation. The Women’s Group has members from all walks of life. The women administers volunteer programs, dedicate hours to their communities and to veterans, and raise money to support its own programs, as well as other worthwhile charities familiar to Americans. They assist with leadership training of the Forum’s Youth Group that is very much a part of the State Organization. The Women officers are also members of the State Executive Board of Directors as is the Youth Chair.

State Board of Directors
While originally organized to expand The American GI Forum, the Regional Commanders, Chairs serve as members of the Board of Directors. Each of 12 Region selects a Commander, Chairwoman and Youth Chair to represent the chapters in their region at 3 Board of Directors Meetings yearly. They present resolutions, motions and ideas on behalf of their respective regions. These are presented to the body of delegates at each State Conference.

The State Conference
The AGIF of Texas, Inc. Annual meeting is the State conference. The Conference is the supreme governing body for the American GI Forum of Texas, Inc. Each of the Forums’ Chapters, is entitled to a minimum of four voting delegates to the state conference A chapter is granted one extra delegate, a member in good standing, for each additional 10 members. 30 days before the conference the Executive Secretary-Treasurer provides each chapter with their voting strength. The annually elected Executive Board round out the group of delegates present. The state conference delegates alone have the authority to approve changes to the AGIF of Texas Inc. and the American GI Forum of the U.S. constitution and bylaws. It is also responsible for passing programs that determine the course of the Forum, setting dues, assessments and fees for the upcoming year, and proposing resolutions and goals to the national conference.

Family Patriotic Organization
The three entities make the American GI Forum a family patriotic service organization. Through chapters located in 40 states and Puerto Rico, the American GI Forum of the U.S. embodies the spirit of America that has prevailed through war and peace. The Texas group, American GI Forum of Texas Inc., is truly an American Patriotic Family Organization and stands behind America and her ideals.

June 7th, 2010

The American GI Forum of Texas, Inc. held it’s 62nd Annual Conference in Austin, hosted by the Austin Chapter of the AGIF of Texas, Inc. The conference centered over concerns for veterans, specifically the homeless veterans who’s numbers are staggering. The National Veterans Outreach Program based in San Antonio, Texas has, for 37 years, been the flagship of the American GI Forum of Texas. Their diversified programs are designed to help with jobs training, job placement and with their non-profit companies help and hire veterans.

Education, Immigration, increased Veteran Services and Economic Development were also topics of discussion and resolutions. The seminar and speakers also focused on some of the current issues.

Colonel McNabb is the Chief, Joint Staff, Texas Military Forces was the Keynote Speaker for the Commanders’ Banquet. She spoke on the Military Operation as it relates to the Air National Guard. The work done during war conditions as well as during National Catastrophes. The quick response necessary to evacuate civilians and provide much need supplies and equipment.

Colonel Orlando Salinas, Commander of the 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) also spoke at the Conference. MEB consists of a Brigade Headquarters, two Field Artillery Battalions, a Military Police Battalion, a Brigade Support Battalion and a Signal Network Support Company. The units are stationed in 17 facilities in 16 cities throughout Texas comprising over 2300 Soldiers.

Mary Helen Berlanga, Senior Member of the Texas State Board of Education, as the keynote speaker delivered an emotional and fiery speech before the membership during the Friday luncheon of American GI Forum of Texas 62nd annual conference in Austin, Texas during their Friday luncheon. She highlighted certain issues and events leading up to the major debate on the Social Studies curriculum “update.” She spoke on how the State Board of Education has evolved since first elected in 1983. She ended her speech with heartfelt and tearful words of appreciation to the American GI Forum membership and their leadership for the support shown throughout the entire Social-Studies debate.

The Conference concluded with the election of 2010-2011 officers and a Board Meeting of the newly elected officers.

Mr. Larry Perez, State Commander, Waco
Mr. John Martinez, Vice Commander, Houston
Mr. Angel Zuniga, 2nd Vice Commander, Corpus Christi
Mr. Ed Rendon, Secretary, Port Lavaca
Mr. Daniel Delgado, Sgt-at-Arms, San Antonio
Fa. Richard Peña, Chaplain, San Antonio

Ms. Tina Cruz, Women’s Chair, Corpus Christi
Mrs. Jennie Aleman, Vice Chair, Houston
Sylvia Garza, Secretary, San Marcos
Betty Manchego, Waco, Treasurer
Stephanie Lefthand, Youth Chair, Waco

Pictures will follow.