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VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION
875 STEVENSON STREET, SUITE 250
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103
MINUTES OF THE JUNE 5, 2006 MEETING
Commission meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
President Wilson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commission Meeting Agenda was approved.
Minutes of the May 1, 2006 meeting were approved.
Commissioners present: Veronika Cauley, Renie Champagne, George Gibbs, Fred Gomez, Wallace Levin, Michael Thompson, Bud Wilson, & Raymond Wong. Commissioners Jill Buck, Cheryl Cook, Ralph Gibson, Charles Reed, Edwin Wilkerson & Brian Zweir were not present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PRESIDENTS REPORT
President Wilson reported on the latest USS IOWA news. Merilyn Wong gave him the news that there is a green light for the ship to go on display in Vallejo. That community appears to be in full support of the ship. She is now fund raising with much success. San Francisco's loss will be Vallejo's gain. This commission has supported the USS IOWA project for over ten years & was one of the first groups in support of bringing the USS IOWA to San Francisco.
He also reported that the Commission Web site is now finally up and running & we will add to it each month. He will forward all information to the City for placement on our Web site.
VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT
Vice President Levin reported that the Presidio Memorial Day Ceremony was successful, but there are some areas where improvement is needed. That no matter what we do it will never match the sacrifice of those we honor on that day and we have an obligation to try to make it more rewarding each year.
The S.F. High School JROTC Program is under attack from the SchoolBoard.Because of the great community support for the JROTC, they have put off a vote until the fall. Because of the importance of this outstanding educational program to 2,000 students, the Commission passed a resolution giving our full support to the JROTC & urging the School Board to continue the program. Motion by Comm. Champagne. Second by Comm. Gomez, Thompson & Wong. Motion passed.
COMMISSION GOALS & PLANS
Comm. Gibbs reported that they would try to get our Homeless Veterans Plan finished so that we can move the report to the Mayor & the Board.
He is one of the coordinators of the East Bay Stand Down, which will be held on Aug. 10 to 18. This is a premier Stand Down. Homeless veterans are given transportation to the event, new clothing, free food, dental, legal & social services. Over 400 veterans are brought to the event, at the Alameda Fair Grounds. 200 of the veterans will be from San Francisco. Money for the Stand Down is all donated & San Francisco gives not one penny. Comm. Gibbs has been working for over a year on this event.
HEALTH, WELFARE & EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
Comm. Thompson reported that the Veterans Employment Committee held the 16TH annual Job Fair on May 17th. The event was held at Fort Mason. 31 employers were on hand. The event was successful.
LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
Comm. Wong reported that the Commission should concentrate on State Legislation that impacts our new veterans and laws that will affect the largest number of veterans.
NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
Comm. Wong reported that the S.F. Giants honored the Military and Veterans at their game on May 26th. Active duty military were given tickets for the game. The Oakland A's are also planning a salute to Veterans. VFW Post 90 raised over $1,000 from the sale of Buddy Poppies, which they donated to Fort Miley VA Hospital.
MEMORIAL DAY
Comm. Levin reported that the Memorial Day Ceremony was a success mainly because of the great support from the Presidio Trust, Army's 91st Division, National Cemetery Administration, Navy's Guided Missile Destroyer USS Pinckney , Pleasanton Community Concert Band, Lowell High JROTC & the National Guard.
OLD BUSINESS
Deputy City Attorney Snodgrass's draft statement reflecting the views of the commission membership, pertaining to the Commission Administrative Code membership requirements was reviewed. We will vote on this proposed legislation at our August meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Comm. Cauley reported that Comm. Cook requested that she inform the commission about a project to honor those local veterans that pass away. She has been sending condolence cards to local veterans families. She will chair the committee, with help from Comm. Gomez. We will focus on San Francisco veterans.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned in memory of the 2,700+ members of the Armed Forces of the United States killed in Iraq & Afghanistan. World War II Marine veteran & former Fire Chief. Andrew Casper. World War II Army veteran & former Supervisor Peter Tamaras.
Minutes submitted by Wallace Levin, 982-3417.
