MINUTES 
                                           
            SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS 
                             Thursday, August 19, 2004 
                                     1:00 p.m. 
                  National Museum of the Pacific War George Bush  
                              Gallery-Conference Room  
                               Fredericksburg, Texas 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Veteran  
         Affairs & Military Installations was held on Thursday, August  
         19, 2004, at the National Museum of the Pacific War George Bush  
         Gallery-Conference Room Fredericksburg, Texas 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Leticia Van de Putte            Senator Craig Estes 
         Senator Troy Fraser                     Senator Eliot Shapleigh 
         Senator Kel Seliger 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chair called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted:   
          
         Senator Fraser moved adoption of the minutes from the previous  
         hearings held on May 24, 2004, and April 29, 2004.  Senator  
         Seliger seconded the motion; without objection, it was so  
         ordered. 
          
         Senator Van de Putte recognized Admiral Grojean, Executive  
         Director of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, who lead the  
         Committee in the Pledge of Allegiance and discussed his role in  
         the museum.   
          
         Senator Van de Putte recognized Representative Carter Casteel,  
         who said a few words and joined the Committee members for part  
         of the hearing.   
          
         The Committee heard invited testimony on Texas Parks and  
         Wildlife and the history of the National Museum of the Pacific  
         War.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the museum are  
         shown on the attached list.  
          
         The Committee heard invited witnesses on the Texas National  
         Guard and the Family Readiness programs around the state.  
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the National Guard are  
         shown on the attached list.    
          
         The Committee heard invited testimony from Chairman Elvin J.  
         Schofield on the Texas Employers Supporting Guard and Reserve  
         Committee, who explained the role of the Committee in supporting  
         deployed soldiers and provided written testimony.   
          
         The Committee heard invited testimony on the Hazlewood Act,  
         which is interim charge number two.  Witnesses testifying and  
         registering on the interim charge are shown on the attached  
         list.   
          
         The Committee heard invited testimony of the U.S. Latino &  
         Latina WWII Oral History Project.  Witnesses testifying and  
         registering on the project are shown on the attached list.   
          
         At 4:15 p.m. Senator Van de Putte moved that the committee stand  
         recessed, subject to the call of the Chair; without objection,  
         it was so ordered.   
          
         At 4:22 p.m. the Committee reconvened.             
                                           
         Senator Van de Putte recognized Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison,  
         who gave a speech.  
          
         The Committee heard their last invited witness on the Hazlewood  
         Act, followed by public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and  
         registering as public witnesses are shown on the attached list.    
          
         Senator Van de Putte recognized the staff of the National Museum  
         of the Pacific War  for allowing the Committee hearing to take  
         place in the museum.  Senator Van de Putte also thanked the  
         witnesses that testified and recognized the Committee staff,  
         namely, Jennie Costilow, David Holmes, and Sara Gonzalez.   
          
         There being no further business, at 5:13 p.m. Senator Van de  
         Putte moved that the Committee be adjourned. Without objection,  
         it was so ordered.   
          
         ______________________ 
         Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair 
          
         ______________________ 
         Sara Gonzalez, Clerk 
          
               SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS 
                                                                    Minutes 
                                                  Thursday, August 19, 2004 
                                                                      page   3