To view graphic version of this page, refresh this page (F5)

Skip to page body

Meeting Information



2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 

City & County ofSan Francisco

Veterans Affairs Commission

minutes of May 4th, 2009 meeting

(415) 554-6036

 

President Levin called the meeting to order at 6:13PM, a quorum being present.  President Levin led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ATTENDANCE – ROLL CALL

 

present

absent

excused

Wallace Levin

x

 

 

Robert Varni

x

 

 

Elbert “Bud” Wilson

x

 

 

Regalado Baldonado

x

 

 

Jill Buck

x

 

 

John Caldera

x

 

 

Veronika Cauley

 

 

x

Renie Champagne

x

 

 

George Gibbs

x

 

 

Chris Gruwell

x

 

 

James Guglielmoni

 

 

x

Michael Thompson

x

 

 

Edwin Wilkerson

x

 

 

Raymond Wong

x

 

 

Dara Wong

x

 

 

 

Thirteen (13) commissioners present, two (2) commissioners excused, eight (8) commissioners required for quorum.  Michael Gerold, Yon-Teo Seeger, Margaret Champagne, and Wayne Snodgrass were present.

 

Acceptance for approval of May 4, 2009 agenda.  Motion by Commissioner Caldera, 2nd by Commissioner Wilkerson.  Motion passed.

 

Acceptance for approval of April 6, 2009 minutes.  Motion by Commissioner Wilson, 2nd by Commissioner Champagne.  Motion passed.

 

ACTION ITEM #1

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.  President Levin proposed a resolution to write letters to CCSF, SFSU, USF, to inquire how these colleges will plan to institute the new GI bill for resident students at public institutions, and how will the institutions support the returning  veterans, and that private colleges and universities joined the GI bill.  Motion by Commissioner Varni, 2nd by Commissioner Champagne.  Motion passed.

 

ACTION ITEM #2

In a March 19, 2009 USAtoday.com article, many private colleges (for profit) have many questions about new GI bill, which addresses public colleges/universities the federal government will pay up to what it would have cost to enroll in the highest-priced undergraduate program at a public in-state public school.  President Levin’s resolution to (1) request private colleges/universities to join the new GI bill; (2) to ask the Mayor, and the Board of Supervisors to support the GI bill, a welcoming environment for returning veterans, student veterans clubs on various CCSF, SFSU, USF campus(s).  Motion by Commissioner Varni, 2nd by Commissioner Champagne.  Motion passed, no opposition.

 

ACTION ITEM #3

The Department of Homeland Security on guard for “right-wing extremists”, singled out returning military combat veterans as particular threats, in a derogatory report released April 7, 2009, titled "Right-wing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment", states that "threats from white supremacist and violent anti-government groups during 2009 have been largely rhetorical and have not indicated plans to carry out violent acts."  Commissioner Gibbs discussed similar circumstances in the 1970s.  Motion by Commissioner Wilkerson, 2nd by Commissioner D. Wong, no opposition, to send a letter to the Mayor and members of the Board of Supervisors to go on record to correct the perception of returning veterans.

 

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, May 26, 2009 10:00AM – 2:00PM meeting, War Memorial Veterans Building, all commission members are welcomed.

 

HOMELESS VETERANS

Commissioner Gibbs reported there will be a Veterans Connect on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, accepting clothing/monetary donations:

SFVAMC Downtown Clinic

401-3rd Street

San Francisco, CA 94107-1214

 

VETERANS EMPLOYMENT

Commissioner Thompson announced the EDD job fair event will be held on:

May 13, 2009 10:00AM thru 2:00PM

19th annual San Francisco Job Fair

Fort Mason Conference Center

 

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/Fiona Ma) 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, May 28, 2009 hearing before Senate appropriations
  • 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

 

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Champagne mentioned his appreciation for the energetic efforts for the 141st annual San Francisco National Cemetery, Presidio, May 25, 2009.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Levin announced he had received a media packet for 1919-2009 MVPA Transcontinental Motor Convoy, traveling from Washington DC, June 13, 2009;  arriving approximately in San Francisco, CA on July 8, 2009, 150 historical military vehicles, in celebration of Abraham Lincoln 200th birthday.

 

Commissioner Wong(s) welcomes the commission to the 30th anniversary Asian Pacific American Heritage Month proclamation signing ceremony and reception, following today’s meeting.

 

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-12th Congressional District) sponsoring GI bill fair, San Mateo county

May 9, 2009, 11:30AM – 3:00PM

757 San Bruno Avenue

San Bruno, CA 94066-3411

 

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 April.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:45PM