Santiago J. Betancourt
State Legislative Committee
Chairman
September 28, 2011
Sons,
It was great seeing all of you this past weekend at the Fall DEC and to see all of the great work that our Detachment is doing to help our state's veterans and the people of Texas as a whole.
Our Detachment obviously finds itself looking at one of the most pressing issues in the State of Texas: The Bastrop wildfires. I know that all of our hearts and prayers are going out to legionaires, auxiliary and sons that lost everything and to their surrounding community. It is imperative therefore that as a Detachment we continue in every way to stand up for those folks and as a Legislative committee we are talking with folks and finding out info as the post asks us concerning legislative affairs dealing with clean up or any other matter as they asked about "Permit Fees" being processed by companies to help with clean up. This process is continuing to go forward as more and more issues arise.
Speaking of issues, TEXAS we have a huge opportunity this February when your chairman of the state legislative committee goes to Washington to both advocate for our veteran's and our programs at the American Legion/Sons of the American Legion Washington Conference. There are many things that will be discussed and things we will see but what is going to be most important will be the meetings that YOUR chairman has with YOUR members of congress and senate. That's why we are emailing all of you to ask you to "SPEAK UP AND BE HEARD".
In this campaign that we are calling; "SPEAK UP AND BE HEARD" is geared towards engaging every squadron, district, division and even the Detachment to tell YOUR committee what you want discussed in Washington whether it affects just one legionaire or other member or a squadron or post so we can show YOUR congress that YOUR WATCHING and EXPECT RESULTS to getting things done for YOUR membership.
We will be sending out more emails on Washington conference as it draws nearer but in the meantime, tell YOUR membership at your post to give YOUR State Legislative Committee "Casework" to take to Washington. Please forward this email and anyone who has questions or wants to talk about things they would like discussed to give the chairman an email or call and he will respond quickly back to them and get them information on whatever they may need.
