MINUTES
Tuesday, October 30, 2001
1:30 p.m.
Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Veteran Affairs & Military
Installations Committee was held on Tuesday, October 30, 2001,
in the Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20, at Austin,
Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Carlos F. Truan None
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Leticia Van de Putte
*****
Chairman Truan called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. The
Committee Clerk called the roll, and there being a quorum
present, the following business was transacted:
Chairman Truan requested everyone stand and observe a moment of
silence in remembrance of Senator Tom Haywood.
Chairman Truan welcomed everyone to the organizational hearing,
and made opening remarks on the interim charges issued by
Lieutenant Governor William Ratliff. Senators Shapleigh, Fraser
and Van de Putte also made opening remarks. Chairman Truan laid
out the interim committee rules. Senator Fraser moved to adopt
the rules. With a call of the roll, the Committee Rules were
adopted with 4 ayes, 0 nays. Chairman Truan introduced
Committee staff.
After completing the committee's organizational business,
Chairman Truan called Ms. Cassie Carlson-Reed, Executive
Director of the Texas Workforce Commission, for testimony
regarding the Veteran Services Program and SB 1159, relating to
providing state veteran services.
Chairman Truan called the following persons to provide a
briefing on the Texas National Guard and United States Reserves:
Major General Wayne Marty, Assistant Adjutant General,
Texas Army National Guard;
Brigadier General Michael Smith, Assistant Adjutant
General, Texas Air National Guard;
Colonel Jill Collins, Executive Officer, Texas Air National
Guard;
Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Hamilton, Mobilization Readiness
Officer, Texas Army National Guard;
Lieutenant Colonel John Stanford, State Liaison Officer,
Adjutant General's Department; and
Gary Walston, Ombudsman, Texas Committee for Employer
Support for Guard and Reserves.
Chairman Truan then called on Mr. Mike Olen, Veteran Services
Program Manager of the Texas Workforce Commission, to brief the
Committee on the Commission's and the United States Department
of Labor's role in protecting guardsmen with employment issues
and SB 1159.
Chairman Truan called Mr. Douglas Oldmixon, Executive Secretary,
and Mr. Rusty Martin, Director of Funds Management, of the Texas
Veterans Land Board to give testimony on HB 2453, relating to
conditions for issuance of certain revenue bonds by the
Veterans' Land Board, land and housing programs, state veteran
homes, and HB 310, relating to veterans cemeteries.
Chairman Truan then called Mr. James Nier, Executive Director of
the Texas Veterans Commission to brief the Committee on state
veteran homes, HB 310 and SB 1159.
Chairman Truan called on Mr. David Anderson, Managing Director
of Curriculum and Professional Development at the Texas
Education Agency, to brief the Committee on HB 2125, relating to
public school admission for military personnel and dependents.
Chairman Truan invited Mr. Patrick Reilly to testify on creating
a disabled Purple Heart license plate for veterans.
There being no further business, at 4:26 p.m. Senator Truan
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Carlos F. Truan, Chair
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Rhonda Pointer, Clerk