MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS
and Military Installations
Wednesday, February 23, 2000
10:00 a.m.
Greater Kelly Development Authority, San Antonio, TX
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee
on VETERAN AFFAIRS was held on Wednesday, FEBRUARY 23, 2000, in the Greater Kelly Development
Authority, San Antonio, TX
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Carlos Truan Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Steve Ogden Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator Leticia Van de Putte
OTHER ELECTED STATE OFFICIALS PRESENT:
Senator Jeff Wentworth
Senator Frank Madla
Representative Carlos Uresti
Representative Juan Solis
Chairman Truan called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following
business was transacted:
Senator Truan made opening remarks and recognized Senator Leticia Van de Putte from San Antonio, to
make welcoming remarks.
The Chair called on Chancellor Howard Graves, Chancellor of Texas A & M University System, retired Major
General United States Army and former superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
The Chancellor testified on programs between the university system and the active military installations.
The Chairman called on Major General Daniel James, III, Adjutant General of Texas, who gave the committee
an update on the Texas National Guards mission to Bosnia and programs available for the families who remain
at home.
Senator Truan called on the Honorable Louis R. Rocco, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, and
representing veterans, who testified on the needs of an aging Texas veteran population. Mr. Rocco is
Director of Veterans Against Violence and Drugs.
General Paul Roberson, United States Army, Retired, and Executive Director of the Greater Kelly
Development Authority, introduced City Councilwoman Debra Guerrero, who introduced Representative Juan
Solis,who represents the area surrounding Kelly Air Force Base in the Texas House of Representatives and
Representative Carlos Uresti representing the Brooks Air Force Base vicinity. Councilwoman Guerrero
welcomed the Chairman and members of the committee to San Antonio and Military City USA.
Mr. Manuel Longoria, acting Director of Economic Development testified on the Brooks City Base Project.
Ms. Kathleen Curd, Fort. Sam Houston Base Operations Manager, represented Major General James B.
Peake, commanding general, Army Medical Department Center and School, Fort Sam Houston, testified on
initiatives that have been undertaken to insure the base's vitality as a member of the San Antonio and Bexar
County communities.
A letter from Congressman Ciro Rodriguez was given to the members of the committee regretting being
unable to attend the hearing and to share his thoughts on the military and veteran needs in South Texas and
throughout the state.
Mr. Rudolph G. DiLuzio, Chairman of Military Affairs, Industry and Technology Council for the San Antonio
Greater Chamber of Commerce testified on military installation redevelopment.
Chairman Truan called on Jacqueline S. Hardee, P.E., director Remediation Division, Texas Natural Resource
Conservation Commission, who testified on the state interaction with bases.
There being no further testimony the meeting was recessed until further call of the Chair on a motion by
Senator Van de Putte. There being no objections the meeting was recessed at 12:40 pm.
___________________________________
Carlos F. Truan, Chairman
___________________________________
Alice G. Breard, Committee Clerk
Witness list in order of testimony
Howard D. Graves, Chancellor
Texas A & M University System
3001 Tarrow
College Station, TX 77845
409/658-6000
Major General Daniel James
Adjutant General of Texas
P. O. Box 5218
Camp Mabry
Austin, TX 78763
512/465-5151
Mr. Louis R. Rocco, Director
Veterans Against Violence and Drugs
1114 SW Military Drive, Suite 102
San Antonio, TX
210/472-4025
General Paul Roberson, United States Army, Ret.
Executive Director
Greater Kelly Development Authority
Kelly AFB
San Antonio, TX
210/362-7800
Councilwoman Debra Guerrero
City of San Antonio
P. O. Box 83966
San Antonio, TX. 78283
210/207-7064
Mr. Manuel Longoria, Jr.
Acting Director of Economic Development
City of San Antonio
100 Military Plaza
San Antonio, TX 78283
210/497-4359
Ms. Kathleen Curd
Base Operations Manager
Command Group USAG
1400 Stanley Road
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
210/221-1832
Mr. Rudolph G. DiLuzio, Chairman
Military Affairs, Industry and Technology Council
San Antonio Greater Chamber of Commerce
c/o EG&G, 143 Billy Mitchell Blvd., Suite 6
San Antonio, TX 78226
Ms. Jacqueline Hardee, Director
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
P. O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087
512/239-4150