Thank you for an excellent year working the legislative program! I am enjoying the year-end reports (YER) coming in. A good handful of members met the challenge for sending their YER via email and post, marked by March 22. Each will receive a gift card in appreciation.

 

 

Did you see any familiar faces on the first March Action Corps? Dept of Oregon in full dress hat to toe was shown conversing with Lifetime member Col Gibson, who oversees VFW and Aux 12140’s adopted units. I recognize Commander Andrea Summerlin, Sr Vice Commander Bert Little, Vets and Family Chair Tracy Bogard, PDP and Chief of Staff Debbie "Cookie” Little. The back shot may be Soloist Cathy Barber, but it’s a guess. Our Madam President Deb Duggan was also there with many others. Madam President noted that all veteran issues proposed were given a bill number. Thank you Post and Aux members for traveling, participating, supporting and representing our Vets and Oregon that week. A big thanks to Miss Tracy for sending the info my way.

 

 

VFW Dept National Legislative Chair, Anthony Barber, has been graciously keeping me updated with the proposed parallel of the GUARD Act for Oregon. In February it was titled SB 150. In March, this bill had a "do pass recommendation” to the full Senate and was read the following week on the Senate floor. The latter is referred to as a second reading. A third reading was completed on the 31st with a unanimous pass and followed with a first reading on the House floor.

 

 

All this is Legislative in Action in Oregon and Washington DC, by Oregon VFW and Aux. I am so proud of, and grateful, to our Dept with its exceptional leadership, working together.

 

 

Please continue to send reports of your work for these next several months leading to Convention, and I will give them to our incoming chairman for the 2025-2026 year. I plan to keep you updated with current legislative action until that time.