Legislative                                     

  2011-2012

       Legislative

Washington D.C. Conference  
                      ~formerly Awareness Assembly

General Info Flyer (pdf)
Program Overview (pdf)
Hill Walk Hints (pdf)
Registration Form (doc) Can be filled out using keyboard
Housing Registration Info (pdf)
Tentative Schedule (pdf)
Opening Session Flyer (pdf)
Washington DC Conference Attendee Press Release Template (doc)

Sign up for Action E-List
http://capwiz.com/legion/home/

Legislative Bulletin, Agent Orange and How to Lobby
Legislative Bulletin, Deficit in the budget.

As grassroots members of our great organization, it is more important than ever to support the legislative agenda and initiatives of The American Legion. HOW do we do this? By changing our ATTITUDE and spreading the word.

By changing our ATTITUDE we can SUCCEED in making our elected officials, regardless of their party, ensure the fair treatment of our veterans. By changing our ATTITUDE we can change the official’s perception as to the veteran’s needs and how they should be taken care of. They need to understand that we are a force to be reckoned with. Please take the time to be heard by your representatives on the local, state and national level.

Our Veterans and active Military have defended our Country, and they need us to do our part in defending their rights. They believe in what and how our Country and the American Flag stands for. As an issue or need arises, be sure to send a letter - preferably fax one - to your Senator or Congressman. We need to be heard in Washington, D.C. We all have extremely busy lives, however, just taken that extra five minutes for the sake of our veterans and our active military. As citizens, we are all committed to do our civic duty.

We as "The American Legion Auxiliary" in conjunction with "The American Legion" do have the power to change the ATTITUDE of our elected officials at all levels.

I believe that we DO care, that we WILL take the time and whatever energy is necessary to help keep our military, families and communities going. As Legislative Chairman it is my responsibility to make sure that our Districts/Counties/Units receive the latest reports on all legislative issues.

If we make ourselves heard in volume, we stand the best chance of letting our Senators, Congressmen and Representatives know that the members of "The American Legion Auxiliary" will be heard. We are the world’s largest patriotic organization and a FORCE to be reckoned with as advocates of our military and veterans.

Listed below you will find communications for your use to help you make yourself known to your representatives. This is your chance to make a difference.

Please remember that government programs are mandated. Veteran’s benefits are of a discretionary nature and can be done away with if representatives in Washington submit a bill to do so. Remember do your part, write letters, make phone calls and let your voice be heard.

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVE

The National Legislative Purpose this year is to train and inform our members to become grass root advocates for veterans and their families with national, state and local elected officials, supporting the legislative agenda and initiatives of "The American Legion".

The CURRENT American Legion Legislative Policy PRIORITIES in the 112^th Congress to be addressed are:

1. FY 2011 Continuing Resolution (CR)

2. Jobs

3. The Caregiver Act

4. Oversight of VHA/VBA

5. Disabled Veterans Tax

6. Flag Amendment

The Dispatch; periodical publication of the American Legion, Subscription price is $15.00 annually and is published 12 times a year
ALA-e-News B Sign up for email delivery at www.ALAforVeterans.org  to receive this monthly newsletter
ALA Legislative Advocacy Guide B available for free downloads www.ALAforVeterans.org
The American Legion Legislative Action Center B Insert your e-mail address and you will receive copies of Alerts.  Also you can sign up for Action E-List and be notified when you can make a CRITICAL difference on an important issue.  http://capwiz.com/legion/home/

LEGISLATIVE RESOURCES

1. The Dispatch; periodical publication of the American Legion, Subscription price is $15.00 annually and is published 12 times a year

2. ALA-e-News:  Sign up for email delivery at www.ALAforVeterans.org  to receive this monthly newsletter

3. ALA Legislative Advocacy Guide available for free downloads www.ALAforVeterans.org

4. The American Legion Legislative Action Center B Insert your e-mail address and you will receive copies of Alerts.  Also you can sign up for Action E-List and be notified when you can make a CRITICAL difference on an important issue. 

LEGISLATIVE KEY OBJECTIVES

      Our key objectives for the Auxiliary 2011-2012 year needs to be trying to make our members understand and believe how important their involvement is in communicating both verbally and in writing on issues that impact our veterans, communities and families.  Our government was founded on the principle of "We the People" and therefore we need to take the action that has been suggested in order to keep this principle alive and well.

ACTION STEPS

Write and fax letters to your Senators, Representatives and Congressmen as necessary so that our elected officials understand we are listening. Use the Legislative Resources from the Legislative Plan of Action 2011-2012 .
Use the technology at your disposal to make sure the information that your receive is forwarded on to our members and friends alike via emails, telephone calls and any  other form of communication.
Keeping the American Legion Auxiliary in the newspapers with their involvement not only for veterans but the community as well so that our elected officials know we are a force to be acknowledged.

In all matters of legislation, "The American Legion Auxiliary" follows the action of "The American Legion" as mentioned before, never    endorsing any measure until "The American Legion" has first endorsed it and never following a policy that does not coincide exactly with "The American Legion's" stand. 

Related Websites: 

1. Department of Defense: www.defenselink.mil/

2. Department of Veterans Affairs:  www.va.gov

3. Federal Election Commission:  www.fec.gov

4. House Committee on Veterans Affairs:  http://veterans.house.gov

5. House of Representatives:  www.house.gov

6. Library of Congress: www.loc.gov

7. NY State Assembly: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?sh=email

8. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs:  http://veterans.senate.gov

9. State Department: www.state.gov

10. Supreme Court:  www.supremecourtus.gov

11. THOMAS Legislative information:  http://thomas.loc.gov/

12. US Census Bureau:  www.census.gov

13. US Senate:  www.senate.gov

14. White House:  www.whitehouse.gov

15. US Capitol Switchboard   (202) 224-3121

DEPARTMENT LEGISLATIVE AWARD

FLORENCE WRIGHT PLAQUE –
To the County with the best overall Legislative Program.  A 500 word Essay must accompany the entry.

COUNTY AWARD –
To the County Legislative Chairman submitting the highest number of replies from Legislator concerning correspondence on legislation as directed by the American Legion. The number will be determined based on the percentage of membership goal.

UNIT AWARD –
To the Unit Legislative Chairman who submits the best report of legislative activities in two categories

Group I - Unit with 1 to 100 members
Group II – Unit with 101 or more membership

Rules: Typewritten in narrative form not to exceed 500 words. Please include details of special legislative meetings with copies of any newspaper articles documenting meetings. Entries must be judged in the County and only one winning entry in each category is to be sent for judging.

 NATIONAL AWARDS:

Unit Legislative Awards:
A citation presented to the Unit Chairman in each Division reporting the Most Outstanding Overall Legislative Program. Entry must be typewritten in narrative form, not to exceed 500 words. Units will submit entries to the Department Chairman by her required date. You are encouraged to include pictures and newspaper articles.

Department Legislative Award:
A citation presented to the Department Chairman in each Division reporting the Most Outstanding Overall Legislative program. Entry must be typewritten in narrative form, not to exceed 500 words. You are encouraged to include pictures and newspaper articles.

All entries must be submitted to the Department Chairman by May 10, 2012

REPORTING PROCEDURE:  Note, there are only two reporting dates this year.  Reporting-How-When-Why

Unit Chairmen:  Please send Unit Report Form to reach your County Chairman by November 1, 2011, and March 1, 2012

County Chairmen:  Please send County report Form to reach the Dept. Chairman by November 10, 2011, and March 10, 2012

Cecile R. Davey
Legislative Chairman

Note: Forms are in PDF format  and can be filled out using your computer keyboard.However, you cannot save data typed into any  forms unless you have the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software! Please print at least 2 copies of your completed form, mail one to the chairman, and save one for your  records. If you try to e-mail it without the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software, the chairman will receive a BLANK PAGE...

For Chairman's physical address,  contact Cecile Davey or  Department Office