MINUTES 
                                           
                        SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS 
                             AND MILITARY INSTALLATIONS 
                            Wednesday, January 26, 2000 
                                     10:00 a.m. 
                           Lt. Governor's Committee Room 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on VETERAN  
         AFFAIRS AND MILITARY INSTALLATIONS was held on Wednesday,  
         January 26, 2000, in the Lt. Governor's Committee Room 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Carlos F. Truan                 Senator Eliot Shapleigh 
         Senator Troy Fraser 
         Senator Steve Ogden 
         Senator Leticia Van de Putte 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.  Senator  
         Truan opened the meeting and introduced the committee staff.   
         The Chair noted that  the last meeting recessed subject to  
         further call of the Chair.  The meeting resumed and testimony  
         was presented. 
          
         The Chair called  on the Texas Coalition of Veterans  
         Organizations to testify.  Mr. Glen Gardner, chairman of the  
         organization, testified.  Mr. Gardner was joined by Bill  
         McLemore and Mr. Michael Plumquist, also representing the  
         coalition. 
          
         The Chairman called  David Dewhurst, Texas Land Commissioner,  
         who testified on Texas Veterans Land Board veteran programs. 
          
         Senator Ogden made a motion to approve the minutes for the 22  
         November 1999, meeting.   Voting in favor of the motion were  
         Chairman Truan, Senator Ogden, Senator Fraser and Senator Van de  
         Putte.  There were no objections and the minutes were adopted. 
          
         The Chairman called on the Texas Veterans Commission and  
         recognized the Chairman of the Commission, General Sue Turner,  
         USAF, Ret.  Joining Commissioner Turner were Commissioner John  
         Brieden, Executive Director Mr. James E. Nier and Mr. Charles  
         Buerschinger. 
          
         The Chair called on the Texas Workforce Commission and  
         recognized Mr. Mike Olen to provide testimony on training  
  
         programs for veterans re-entering the workforce.                                          
          
         The Chair called on Mr. John D. McKinny representing the U. S.  
         Department of Labor  to testify on veteran preference in  
         employment practices by state agencies. 
          
         The Chairman called on the American G.I. Forum and recognized  
         Mr. Carlos Martinez to testify on its National Veteran Outreach  
         Program for homeless veterans.  It is estimated that one third  
         of the homeless population are military veterans. 
          
         There being no further testimony before the committee, Senator  
         Van de Putte moved that the meeting be recessed subject to  
         further call of the Chair.  There being no objections it was so  
         ordered. 
          
         ___________________________________ 
         Senator Carlos F. Truan, Chairman 
          
         _____________________________________ 
         Alice G. Breard, Committee Clerk 
          
                             Witness List in Order of Testimony 
          
         Mr. Glen Gardner, Chairman 
         Texas Coalition of Veteran Organizations 
         8503 N. I.H. 35 
         Austin, TX  78753 
  
         512/251-6165 
          
         The Honorable David Dewhurst 
         Texas Land Commissioner 
         1700 N. Congress 
         Austin, TX  78701 
          
         Sue Turner,  Chairwoman 
         Texas Veterans Commission 
         P. O. Box 12277 
         Austin, TX  78711 
         512/463-5538 
          
         Mr. Mike Olen 
         Texas Workforce Commission 
         101 E. 15th St. 
         Austin, TX   
         512/e305-96639 
          
         Mr. John D. McKinny 
         U. S. Department of Labor 
         P. O. Box 1468 
         Austin, TX   
         512/858-7953 
          
         Mr. Carlos Martinez 
         American G. I. Forum 
         National Veterans Outreach 
         206 San Pedro, Suite 200 
         San Antonio, TX  78205 
         210/223-4088