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Veterans Affairs Division

SECOND MEETING

2007-2008 Regular Session - Friday, January 26, 2007

STATE OF MINNESOTA SECOND MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION

VETERANS AFFAIRS DIVISION

MINUTES


Representative Koenen, Chair of the Veteran Affairs Committee, called the second meeting to order at 8:04 AM on Friday, January 26, 2007 in the basement hearing room.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:

KOENEN, Lyle, Chair HAWS, Larry
TINGELSTAD, Kathy, Vice-Chair HOSCH, Larry
WARDLOW, Lynn, Republican Lead OLSON, Mark
BIGHAM, Karla SEVERSON, Dan
DETTMER, Bob WOLLSCHLAGER, Sandy
DOMINGUEZ, Willie
DOTY, Al


Members excused:

OTREMBA, Mary Ellen, Ex-Officio

A quorum was present.

Rep. Hosch moved approval of the minutes from January 19, 2007.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Mr. Clark Dyrud, Commissioner of the Department of Veteran Affairs thanked the committee and introduced Mr. Jim Hesselgrave, Department Quartermaster and Adjutant.

Mr. Jim Hesselgrave, Department Quartermaster and Adjutant with the Veterans of Foreign Wars gave a brief overview of his department.

Mr. Al Loehr, Department Legislative Chair with the Veterans of Foreign Wars explained how his department educates veterans of our state on military issues and keep government official apprised of important military issues as they are happening.

The following gave an overview of the American Legion and answered questions from the committee.

Mr. Lyle Folz, Department of American Legion Adjutant
Mr. Randy Tesdahl, Department Service Officer
Mr. John Cox, Department Commander from Mahtomedi

The following presented an overview of the Military Order of Purple Heart:

Mr. Clayton Irman, Department Commander
Mr. Bob Connor, Department Adjutant
Mr. David Srock, National Service Officer

Mr. Dick Carroll, Department Legislative Representative, American Ex-Prisoners of War explained his organization to the committee.

Mr. Tim O'Connor, Department Adjutant with the Disabled American Veterans gave a brief overview of his organization and took questions from members of the committee.

Mr. Xavier Gagnon, Legislative Representative, Marine Corps League presented a brief overview of what the Marine Corps do for veterans.

Mr. Sid Schmuckler, Department Commander, Jewish War Veterans explained how his department work with most of the other veteran organizations.

Ms. Kelly Nguyen, Department Adjutant and Mr. Dick Volkeret, Former Commander with the AmVets explained how their motto is "Veterans help Veterans". Honors sacrifices of peacetime vets. Took questions and comments from committee members.

Mr. Jerry Kyser, Chair United Veterans Legislative Council of Minnesota (UVLC) and Mr. Ralph Donais, President, The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) spoke on their organizations and took questions from members of the committee.


The meeting concluded at 9:35 AM.


___________________________________________
REP. LYLE KOENEN, Chair



_______________________________________
Mary M. Larson, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..
House TV Video:
View Archive

02:46 - Gavel.
03:40 - Presentations by veterans organizations.
Runs 1 hour, 31 minutes.


Presentations by veteran organizations