MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS
and Military Installation
Tuesday, May 23, 2000
2:00 p.m.
Fort Bliss, Texas
*****
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 Tuesday, May 23,
2000, at Fort Bliss, Texas
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Carlos Truan
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Steve Ogden
Senator Leticia Van de
Putte
*****
After standing in recess from the previous meeting, Senator
Eliot Shapleigh, the acting chair, called the meeting to order
at 2:03 p.m. The following business was transacted:
Senator Shapleigh introduced Mr. Leo Barraza of El Paso, Texas,
the newest appointee to the Texas Veterans Commission. Senator
Shapleigh next introduced Mr. Charles de Wetter of El Paso, a
civilian aid to the Secretary of the Army.
The invocation was given by the U. S. Army Chaplain at Fort
Bliss.
The Chairman next introduced Colonel Joseph Rodrigues,
Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and presented him with a
certificate and a Texas flag that had been flown over the Texas
capitol.
The Chairman called the Honorable Dolores Briones, County Judge,
who welcomed the committee to El Paso and spoke on the need for
veteran homes in El Paso.
Colonel Barry E. Cardwell, Chief of Staff, Fort Bliss, welcomed
the committee to Ft. Bliss.
Mr. Charles De Wetter testifying on the Ft. Bliss/El Paso
partnership.
The Chair called Mr. James Christoferson, director of the Office
of Defense Affairs who testified on the public/private
partnership between the bases and the local communities.
Senator Shapleigh called Brigadier General Michael Smith,
Assistant Adjutant General, Air Guard, to testify.
The Chair called Mr. John Sneed, Director of intergovernmental
Relations for the Texas General Land Office who testified on
veteran nursing homes and home loans.
Mr. Gilbert Estrada testified on the VFW and special needs of
the aging veteran population.
Mr. Carlos Rivera, Director of the Department of Veteran Affairs
El Paso Center, testified on employment services for veterans
and questioned if the 40% veteran employment still stand for
Texas agencies. Mr. James Nier, Executive Director of the Texas
Veterans Commission responded that the only agency currently
meeting the guidelines is the Texas Veterans Commission.
The Chair recognized Mr. Manuel Rivas, chairman of the El Paso
Veterans Nursing Home Committee who testified on the needs at
the El Paso region for a veterans nursing home.
Mr. Daniel Cedillo, Chairman of the American G.I. Forum of
Greater El Paso testified on the needs of veterans in the El
Paso area.
Mr. Oscar Barreda, Sr. testified on the need for help for
providing veterans with full military honors at burial
ceremonies.
Mr. Arturo Herrera testified on need for help in obtaining
disability with a service connected disability.
There being no further business the committee was recessed
until further call of the chair.
_________________________________
Senator Eliot Shapleigh, Chair
Witnesses in order of testimony:
The Honorable Dolores Briones
County Judge
County Courthouse
500 East San Antonio
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 546-2000
Col. Barry E. Cardwell
Chief of Staff
2 Sheridan Rd.
Ft. Bliss, Texas 79916
Mr. Charles de Wetter
5662 N. Mesa
El Paso, TX 79912
915/834-4000
Mr. James Chirstoferson, Director
Office of Defense Affairs
1700 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78711
512/936-0517
Brig. Gen. Michael B. Smith
Assistant Adjutant General of Texas
2210 W. 35th Street
Camp Mabry
Austin, TX 78701
512/465-5115
Mr. John Sneed
Director, Intergovernmental Relations
Texas General Land Office
1700 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78711
512/936-1925
Mr. Gilbert G. Estrada
Post Commander, VFW Coronado Post 10326
4760 Doniphan
El Paso, TX 79922
584-3956
Mr. Carlos Rivera, Director
Department of Veteran Affairs-El Paso Vet Center
6500 Boeing #L-122
El Paso, TX 79925
915/772-0013
Mr. Manuel Rivas, Chairman
El Paso Veterans Nursing Home Committee
3405 Kirkwall Road
El Paso, TX
915/598,4543
Mr. Daniel Cedillos, Chairman
American G.I. Forum of Greater El Paso
P. O. Box 97155
El Paso, TX 75999
915/858-1725
Mr. Oscar Barreda, Sr.
4301 Hueco
El Paso, TX
915/562-2034