MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

1:30 PM or upon adjournment

Betty King Committee Room

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations was held on Wednesday, February 20, 2013, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair

 

None

Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Donna Campbell

 

 

Senator Wendy Davis

 

 

Senator José Rodríguez

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:33 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The chair recognized Lizzie Craven and Parker Hamlin to lead the committee in the United States Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

The chair recognized Sofia Stringfield and James Caswell to lead the Texas Pledge.

 

Senator Birdwell moved adoption of the committee rules. Senator Rodriguez seconded the motion. There being no objection, it was so ordered.

 

The following witnesses provided updates on military issues:

 

A.                Major General John Nichols, Adjutant General, Texas Military Forces

B.                 Keith Graf, Director, Aerospace, Aviation and Defense and Texas Military                        Preparedness Commission Office of the Governor

C.                 Captain Robert Bennett, representing the Texas Commanders Council

D.                Mr. Thomas Palladino, Executive Director, Texas Veterans Commission

E.                 Paul E. Moore, Executive Secretary, and Kevin Warren, Deputy Commissioner,     Texas Veterans Land Board

F.                  Jim Richman, Director of Claims, Representation and Counseling, Texas Veterans             Commission

G.                Rufus Coburn, Director, Veterans Education, Texas Veterans Commission

 

The following witnesses registered, but did not testify:

 

A.                Danny Johnson, Colonel, Deputy Commander, 902nd Mission Support Group

USAF, Fort Sam Houston, Joint Base San Antonio

B.                 Joe Lovelace, Mental Health Consultant, Texas Council of Community Centers

C.                 Kathy Wood, Director, Fund for Veterans Assistance, Texas Veterans

Commission

 

 

There being no further business, at 4:50 PM Senator Van de Putte moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair

 

 

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Cinda Johnson, Clerk