Oppose any plan to declare surplus lands owned and controlled by the VA Resolution 156-1963 H.R. 7751, July 22, 1963, Representative Teague of Texas, to extend certain construction authority to the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs in order to provide adequate veterans' hospital facilities in Los Angeles, Calif. On November 26, 1963, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs reported H.R. 7751; H. Rept. 924. On February 17, 1964, Rules suspended and H.R. 7751 passed the House. On June 1, 1964, John J. Corcoran, Director, National Rehabilitation Commission, wrote Senator Yarborough, Chairman, Subcommittee on Veterans' Affairs, Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, expressing The American Legion's views on H.R. 7751. On August 3, 1964, Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare reported H.R. 7751; S. Rept. 1295. On August 4, 1964, H.R. 7751 passed the Senate. Public Law 88-434; approved August 14, 1964. Support adequate Federal funds, on matching basis, to improve facilities of State Veterans Homes Resolution 452-1962 For previous action see 1963 report. See Resolution 378-1963 of this report. Seek 6-year limitation on collection from veterans of overpayments made erroneously by U.S. Government Resolution 504-1962 For previous action see 1963 report. On July 28, 1964, the House Committee on the Judiciary reported H.R. 3800; H. Rept. 1617. Pending on Union Calendar, VA Hospitals Naming new Veterans Administration Hospital in Miami, Dade County, Fla., the "Joe H. Adams Memorial Hospital" Resolution 3-NEC, May 1963 For previous action see 1963 report. On April 28, 1964, statement of John J. Corcoran, Director, National Rehabilitation Commission, was submitted to the Subcommittee on Hospitals, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, in support of resolution. Extend beyond June 30, 1963, the Grant-In-Aid program for the Veterans' Memorial Hospital in the Philippines Resolution 19-NEC, October-November 1962 For previous action see 1963 report. Oppose closing VA hospital beds and facilities for economy reasons Resolution 67-NEC, April-May 1964 On May 25, 1964, Director Olson submitted a letter and copy of resolution to Senator Hill, Chairman, Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, Senator Yarborough, Chairman, Subcommittee on Veterans' Affairs, Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, and Representative Teague, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, apprising them of The American Legion's opposition to any consideration being given to reduce medical care for our disabled veterans, for reasons of economy. On June 17, 1964, National Commander Foley wrote President Johnson urging his approval of the Veterans Hospital Program. Urge sufficient funds be made available to VA to properly expand vital program of caring for the aged and the chronically ill Resolution 287-1962 For previous action see 1963 report. Public Law 88-215; approved December 19, 1963. Name new Veterans Administration Hospital at Martinez, Calif., the Charles C. McGonegal Memorial Hospital Resolution 448-1962 For previous action see 1963 report. Conclusion This concludes the report of the National Legislative Commission to the 1964 National Convention. Subsequent developments in the 88th Congress will be informally reported to the Convention and will be contained in the 1965 Annual Report of the National Legislative Commission. PUBLICATIONS COMMISSION DR. CHARLES R. LOGAN, IOWA, CHAIRMAN JAMES F. O'NEIL, NEW HAMPSHIRE, PUBLISHER Happier days are here again insofar as the operations of The American Legion Magazine are concerned. The publication, improved in editorial content and appearance, is winning favorable reaction from its readers and those circles from which advertising income must be realized. Now the magazine is being looked upon as more than a medium in the fraternal field. It is being considered as a potential among publications in the men's field. The machine coated paper, high quality printing, and editorial breadth and vitality, are helping to make the transition effective. The action of the 1962 Convention in appropriating additional funds for the magazine has been a major factor in achieving the admitted improvements, in addition to meeting the challenge of increased costs. There also has been a modest upward revision in advertising volume, reversing a downward trend in effect for the past several years. The Publications Commission, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Charles R. Logan of Keokuk, Iowa, which is responsible for the direction of the policies affecting The American Legion Magazine, is charting its course in the direction of making the publication a more effective showcase for The American Legion. The magazine is the only direct link between the national organization and the individual member. Uppermost in the minds of the Commission and the staff of the American Legion Magazine located at National Headquarters in Indianapolis, and in the New York office, are the mandates of the National Conventions and the decisions of the National Executive Committee reached between conventions. The resolution adopted at the 1926 Philadelphia Convention is still considered the ideal objective for everyone to follow. It bears repeating and is as follows: "Whereas in The American Legion Monthly there has been given to the American public a magazine which has been enthusiastically received not only by The American Legion but by the general public as well and, "Whereas this reception has behooved (sic) additional prestige upon our organization, "Now therefore be it resolved that there be no recession from the high standards thus established, and that it is the sense of this convention that The American Legion Monthly shall be built into an institution of public service, not alone for The American Legion, but for all America, which shall be one of the enduring monuments of this organization." All monies realized over and above the costs of producing and distributing The American Legion Magazine revert to the general fund of The American Legion. These profits, or net gains, accordingly, are applied to the financing of the many outstanding programs of The American Legion known to Legionnaires and the public alike. Origin of Commission The Legion Publications Commission, formerly the Legion Publishing and Publicity Commission, was created by authority of a resolution adopted by the National Executive Committee at its meeting in Indianapolis, Ind., November 20, 1936, and charged with the following duties: (a) Publishing and distributing The American Legion Magazine. (b) Publishing and distributing The National Legionnaire. 232 Financial Report Revenue expense and net gain for 1963 as contrasted to 1962 is herewith Following are the printing costs from January 1963 through December 1963, inclusive: PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMISSION C. D. DeLoach, District of Columbia, Chairman James C. Watkins, District of Columbia, Director The 1963-64 American Legion year has been outstanding from a public relations standpoint, and two new projects which received the approval of the National Commander immediately following the National Convention could help to provide a substantially new look to Legion public relations. First is the National Commander's Public Relations Award for the department producing evidence of an outstanding public relations job during the year. While this is the first year for this award, many departments have submitted scrapbooks for judging by a special committee of the National Public Relations Commission, and it is anticipated that others will follow as new interest is stimulated in this competition. Second, the Commander's approval of a recommendation that each department be encouraged to enlist the services of trained public relations personnel is beginning to bear fruit and again, it is expected that this move will be even more productive in the years immediately ahead. The year was off to a good start with the volume and quality of coverage of the Miami Beach National Convention, and despite a dearth of "name" speakers, a major source of convention news, there were a goodly number of national news stories generated by the convention. The National Commander has received an excellent press throughout the year, and has been accompanied on many of his travels by a representative of the National Public Relations staff. Our fourth annual Washington Mid-Winter Conference again proved an excellent news source, and in addition to our hometown news desk, which provided photographic and news story service to the delegates, there were some 20 videotaped and recorded interviews arranged by the public relations staff for department officials with their Congressmen. This was a "first," and it is our hope to be able to provide a similar service in subsequent years and that a larger number of departments will participate as these recorded shows are distributed by the offices of Congressmen to television and radio stations in the home State. Their usage is unusually high. National public relations again provided on-the-spot support to Regional Child Welfare Conferences and to the finals of the National Oratorical Contest, all of which provided good American Legion news. Another plus during the current year was the national news generated by the National Commander's joint appeal with the president of The American Legion Auxiliary for funds for the relief of Alaskan earthquake disaster victims. Our handbook "Help For the Post Public Relations Officer," which has proved popular with post and department public relations officers, was reprinted during the year, with minor revisions, and is again available in quantity sufficient to meet demand. A major effort was made to remind the public of the Legion's role in bringing about the passage of the GI Bill of Rights, starting with the Mid-Winter Conference and concluding with the preparation of a suggested talk for Legion speakers during June, the 20th anniversary month of the signing of this historic document. With the addition of another writer to the national public relations staff, we have been able to update and revise a number of speeches that were for some time neglected due to the lack of manpower. Also, we were able to inaugurate a special speech assistance service for National Vice Commanders in addition to the assistance in research and writing provided to the National Commander. A greater number of media presentations for Fourth Estate Award consideration were received than in any recent year, which is a good indication of the growing esteem in which this award is held by the Nation's news media. Much |