Published: 03-31-08
American GI Forum of the United States Honors Cornyn Salute Veterans Pass Resolutions in Corpus Christi Texas
The American GI Forum (AGIF) of the United States at their Annual Mid-Year Conference in Corpus Christi Texas met to deal with veterans issues including their families and the effects of the War. The primary issues included: immediate funding for medical and mental health programs for veterans as well as for the elimination of Government bureaucratic delays affecting the issuance of veteran’s benefits.
Senator John Cornyn Lt. General Edward Baca (Ret.) and Judge Maricela Sandana were Keynote speakers at various events. Senator Cornyn was presented with the 2008 Commander’s Award for his support of our troops his work on behalf of Veterans’ benefits and for his continued support of the American GI Forum and it’s programs. The AGIF National Veterans Outreach Program includes counseling job training job referral housing and a veterans homeless shelter based in San Antonio.
Important topics discussed by the American GI Forum include the following:
1). Support programs that help and assist homeless veterans.
2). The immediate granting of citizenship to immigrant service personnel who serve in war zones and permanent residences for immediate family members who are: Spouses children and parents residing in the United States.
3). Full funding for vocational rehabilitation and employment options for veterans along entrepreneurial training and education for business-minded veterans.
4). Work and support legislation for the adoption of an updated GI Bill for the 21st Century.
5). Work with other Hispanic organizations to have the Government agencies’ adherence to mandatory requirement to meet 3 Percent contracting goal with Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. SDVOSB.
6). Support immediate adoption of a fair and equitable Immigration policy which include the immediate increase in the cap of legal immigrants from Mexico as pledged by President Gerald Ford in1976.
One important resolution passed was: that the Congress of the United States and the Administration take immediate measures to prevent further loss of American jobs by reversing the decision by the U.S. Air Force to award the aerial refueling tanker contract to a European business conglomerate over the sound proposal of the Boeing company.
Over 150 Chapters were represented from throughout the United States. They attended this annual Midterm Conference of American GI Forum of the United States to advocate for all Veterans returning from the wars in the Middle East.
“Our biggest concerns besides immediate funding for medical and mental health programs for veterans include national security and jobs specially for those veterans returning from the wars. We are not only advocates for the more that 1.5 million Hispanic veterans but being veterans we speak for all veterans” stated National Commander Antonio Morales.
2008 AGIF Mid-Year Conference Corpus Christi Texas
RESOLUTION
The American GI Forum of the United States a national Hispanic veterans organization is greatly concerned about the weakened economy the loss of jobs and the adverse impact on the national security of the United States.
WHEREAS The national security of the U.S. is of paramount importance to the American GI Forum of the United States;
WHEREAS Employment generation is a vital component of national security;
WHEREAS The loss of millions of jobs in the last two years has adversely affected all Americans including hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families;
WHEREAS A significant cause of unemployment is the unrestricted export of American jobs and technology overseas and unfair trade practices of other countries;
WHEREAS An example of this impact is seen in the American automotive industry principally in Michigan where U.S. companies have outsourced work overseas to stay competitive;
WHERAS An example of the further loss of American jobs and erosion of the American industrial base will result from a U.S. Air Force decision to award a contract to a European company and its American subsidiary to build the next generation of aerial refueling tankers rejecting an established 75 years of building tankers by the Boeing Company;
WHEREAS The loss of an American air tanker program will additionally hurt 300 American suppliers including many veterans and have an economic impact across the U.S. of approximately $2 billion;
WHEREAS These employment losses hurt American workers and veterans and harm our national security;
BE IT RESOLVED: That the U.S. Government take immediate steps to stop the uncontrolled export of American jobs to foreign competitors;
RESOLVED: That the U.S. Government including the Department of Defense and U.S. military services set the example on “Buy American” in their decisions to award contracts affecting our national security;
RESOLVED: That the Congress of the United States and the Administration take active measures to reverse the decision by the U.S. Air Force to award the aerial refueling tanker contract to a European business conglomerate.
This resolution was adopted at the American GI Forum mid-year conference in Corpus Christi Texas on this date 29 March 2008.
Antonio G. Morales
National Commander
