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President Levin called the meeting to order at 6:05PM, a quorum being present. President Levin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE – ROLL CALL
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present
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absent
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excused
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Wallace Levin
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x
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Robert Varni
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x
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Elbert “Bud” Wilson
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x
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Regalado Baldonado
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x
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Jill Buck
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x
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John Caldera
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x
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Veronika Cauley
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x
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Renie Champagne
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x
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George Gibbs
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x
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Chris Gruwell
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x
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James Guglielmoni
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x
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Michael Thompson
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x
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Edwin Wilkerson
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x
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Raymond Wong
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x
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Dara Wong
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x
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Nine (9) commissioners present, six (6) commissioners excused, eight (8) commissioners required for quorum. Margaret Champagne and Lisa Ang (Mayor’s of Neighborhood Services) were present.
Acceptance for approval of April 6th, 2009 agenda. Motion by Commissioner Guglielmoni, 2nd by Commissioner Baldonado. Motion passed.
Acceptance for approval of March 2nd, 2009 minutes. Motion by Commissioner Caldera, 2nd by Commissioner Champagne. Motion passed to approve additions. Agenda item #5 (AB 223), and agenda item #6 (AL Post #911 van support) was added.
ACTION ITEM #1
Removal of Pentagon’s ban on news coverage of returning military remains. New policy will allow press coverage of the return of military remains at Dover AFB in Delaware, only with the permission of the deceased veterans’ member families.
ACTION ITEM #2
Combat veterans individual ready reserve obligation. President Levin stated that all military members have a statutory eight-year military service obligation (MSO), which is established at the time of entry into military service (Active or Reserve). Traditional enlistment terms are three, four, five and six years. Terms of service for active duty are from 2-6 years. When an individual enlists, in the military, it is made clear to that person, what they are signing up for. There is also a need, under certain conditions, for the military to show compassion.
ACTION ITEM #3
Increase in suicide rate of Iraq/Afghanistan combat veterans, U.S. Marines commanders will offer a two-hour suicide-prevention presentation to all Marines, to consult with counselors. More Marines and Army personnel, committed suicide in 2008 than were killed in combat.
ACTION ITEM #4
National Park Service historic military fortifications preservation program was referred by the San Francisco Chronicle 03-14-2009 article. The temporary nature of many buildings, constructed to serve home front purposes, has been one factor in the challenge of preserving these places for future generations. By raising awareness of the Bay Area's collective World War II heritage, the National Park Service itinerary invites reappraisal of its buildings’ legacy.
ACTION ITEM #5
New lobby center archway banner for the War Memorial Veterans’ Building. President Levin and Michael Gerold, along with the other veterans service organizations, supports permanent exterior/interior signage identification. President Levin, Commissioner Varni, Commissioner Guglielmoni, and M. Gerold offered suggestions on how to accomplish this goal.
ACTION ITEM #6
District 10 Board of Supervisor Maxwell introduced legislation to name 3rd Street for veterans supporter former Mayor Willie Brown.
ACTION ITEM #7
Public Law 110-252 signed by President George Bush June 30, 2008. The Department of Veterans Affairs will be accepting application May 1, 2009, for the 21st century GI bill which will start in August.
The following committee reports were submitted:
COMMISSION GOALS AND PLANS
Aide to the Secretary of the U.S. Army, Commissioner Varni’s combat stress project, reported March 24, 2009 evaluation Marines’ Memorial Club 5 hour meeting. Commission members (Thompson, Wilkerson, Buck, Caldera, Varni) were present. Commissioner Varni discussed traumatic brain injury (TBI) among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, an ongoing project of outreach to pursue. 20% TBI patients coming back from multiple deployments from Iraq. Motion by Commissioner Guglielmoni, 2nd by Commissioner Baldonado to support this project. Motion passed.
HOMELESS VETERANS
President Levin reported there will be a Veterans Connect held at the SFVAMC Downtown Clinic in November 2009. Motion to support November 2009 Veterans Connect by Commissioner Gibbs, 2nd by Commissioner Thompson. Motion passed. Commissioner Gibbs reported that 30% were actual veterans at the 2008 Veterans Connect event, held at the War Memorial Veterans Building.
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT
Commissioner Thompson announced the EDD job fair event will be held on:
May 13th, 2009 10:00AM thru 2:00PM
18th annual San Francisco Job Fair
Fort Mason Conference Center
Commissioner Thompson reported there are 3 EDD veterans’ representatives; Governor Schwarzenegger offers 2 furlough days, in 1977, there were 14 EDD veterans’ representatives.
LEGISLATION
Commissioner R.Wong reported:
- AB 38 (Mary Salas) postsecondary education; resident classification; veterans. Enacts Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2009. Would entitle a veteran to resident classification status, for purpose of determining tuition and fees at the state universities and colleges, for the length of time the student lives in the state after being discharged from the military service if the student qualifies.
- AB 223 (Fiona Ma/Ted Lieu) PE: JROTC, introduced February 4, 2009
- AB 351 (Mary Salas) JROTC PE credit, introduced February 19, 2009
AB 223 and AB 351 was heard 04-01-2009 Assembly Education Committee following a JROTC rally at the Capitol
- AB 264 (Paul Cook) would require the Governor to annually proclaim March 30th as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”
- AB 1571 (Mary Salas) veterans mental health: county plans
- AB 1077 (Joel Anderson) income taxes: exclusion: military retirement benefits
- SB 15 (Gil Cedillo) student financial aid for members and former members of the Armed Forces
- SB 469 (Sam Aanestad) Northern California veterans cemetery fees
- SB 595 (Gil Cedillo) homeless veterans housing and supportive services act of 2010
- SB 644 (Jeff Denham) civil service examinations: veterans’ preference
- SB 646 (Jeff Denham) student financial aid: veterans and dependents
- SB 815 (David Cogdill) student financial aid programs: military services
OLD BUSINESS
National Park Service has backed off the so-called violation which may have lacked merit, as the BSA Sea Scouts have exceeded the NPS environmental standards. Many thanks to Commissioner Buck and Commissioner Varni for their efforts to support BSA Sea Scouts organized water access and keeping the maritime traditions alive. The commission’s resolution also helped to get this victory.
The SFWMPAC Veterans Committee 04-09-2009 was cancelled, because Michael Gerold (ALWMC Chairman) requested a postponement of ALWMC proposal to provide space in the War Memorial Veterans Building to Swords to Plowshares for a veterans’ employment training program.
NEW BUSINESS
Trustee Horn (SFWMPAC 02-12-2009 minutes), Chairman of the Veterans Building Project Committee, stated the project cost has increased from $ 114.3 million, to $ 130.3 million. Closure of the War Memorial Veterans Building shall commerce January 1, 2013.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lisa Ang, Liaison to District 2/6, Asian Pacific American Community, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services invited the commission to an event, on Thursday, April 9, 2009, to honor World War II Filipino Veterans and their equity victory. Commissioner Baldonado reminded everyone about the Veterans Equity Center.
President Levin reported he had attended the AL Bataan Post #600 equity victory candlelight procession, February 18, 2009. from the federal building to the veterans building.
Commissioner Caldera asked who is the liaison to commissions. President Levin replied Mayor Newsom had appointed Jason Chan, Liaison to Commissions.
Commissioner Guglielmoni reported that there are 40 veterans’ plots available at Olivet Memorial Park $9,995.00 per plot, the cemetery was re-plotted.
HONORS REPORT and ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned in memory of the 4,924+ Americans killed in Iraq/Afghanistan, the homeless veterans that died in San Francisco, and the veterans that died because of suicide during the month of March.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30PM
