Corpu Christi Caller-Times - GI Forum Updates Garcia's Original Goals
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Corpu Christi Caller-Times - GI Forum Updates Garcia's Original Goals
By: Mike Baird
Social programs for returning veterans and mustering younger support are some goals of this week's 2008 American GI Forum National Mid-Year Conference, leaders said.
Forum leaders representing state chapters on Friday discussed the organization's legislative priorities through the evening to draft resolutions for member approval. The agenda is multi-purpose, forum national commander Antonio G. Morales said, "with our eyes on immigration, education programs, job opportunities and improved health care facilities."
During the convention state representatives report their chapters' activities.
California's State Commander Willie Galvan said they are developing outreach programs targeting returning Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans with each chapter giving scholarships and grants to assist education, and other training programs to engage younger veterans.
In the vein of attracting new blood nationwide, Morales' senior adviser, Felix Vargas, is setting up a national office of the American GI Forum in Washington, D.C., to congeal veterans organizations.
"We're working with Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans associations to present a solid unified front in Washington," Vargas said. "We must use Dr. Hector P. Garcia's original founding vision to project into the future for our younger veterans and their families."
Friday's keynote speaker, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, affirmed his commitment to battling for a veterans hospital in South Texas.
"As new generations return from battlefields we must keep up with their needs," said the senator, whose pilot father used GI Bill funds to attend Del Mar College after World War II. "We know some returning veterans suffer from wounds you can not see, and it's important our system of health care adapts to these mental health needs."
Cornyn fills the senate seat used by former President Lyndon Johnson, who struggled to get equal treatment for Pvt. Felix Z. Longoria in 1949. The soldier was killed in World War II and the funeral home in his Three Rivers hometown refused to host his funeral services.
The conference will conclude today with keynote speaker Judge Maricela Saldaña and members voting on resolutions to present to legislatures.
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