Ask the Scholar

Document scope · 1 page
doc
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory. For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.

Scholar Source Context

Document identity
localId
475678139
label
American Association of Minority Veterans Program Administrators
core
doc
dtoType
document
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
475678139
contentType
document
title
American Association of Minority Veterans Program Administrators
identifierLocal
47
collections
Records of the White House Office of Public Liaison (Reagan Administration)
Morton Blackwell's Veterans' Liaison Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
475678139
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
05754c6fbf6a9626
ocrText
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Digital Library Collections This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections. Collection: Blackwell, Morton: Files Folder Title: American Association of Minority Veterans Program Administrators Box: 41 To see more digitized collections visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected] Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/ Che tripes THE ONLY NATIONAL VETERANS' NEWSPAPER WASHINGTON, DC, THURSDAY, July 10, 1990 White House Veterans' Head Reportedly Leaving Post Vietnam veteran) was the establish- Committee in its report of June ment of an inter-agency Veterans 1980 on S. 1188 containing voca- Federal Coordinating Committee, tional rehabilitation and employ- composed of representatives of ment provisions for Vietnam eight agencies which have veterans' veterans, said of William Lawson's programs responsibilities. A com- effectiveness, "The Committee is bat veteran of the Vietnam war, unable to conclude other than that William E. Lawson was appointed the White House Veterans Federal Director of the White House based Coordinating Committee has failed committee." to achieve any significant gains in In an analysis of that fact sheet terms of inter-agency efforts or im- During Honor Vietnam Veterans appearing in the June 21, 1979 issue proved service to veterans and serve Week, May 31 to June 7, 1979, the of The Stars and Stripes, it was as a central focus of the Federal gov- White House released a fact sheet stated: ernment's responsibilities in this on the Vietnam veteran. Part of "The inter-agency Veterans regard." that fact sheet stated: Federal Coordinating Committee is The following excerpts are form a "An important recommendation the fourth such committee since the report compiled by The Stars and (of the Presidential Review Vietnam war began. It will be even Stripes after reviewing Lawsons' 18 Memorandum on the status of the less effective than its predecessors, month service which details some largely because of its executive of his activities. Director William E Lawson. Veterans Organization Briefings: Lawson's appointment and perfor- Despite staff recommendations that mance will bear a striking the Committee (Veterans Cor- resemblance to the White House's dinating Committee) hold briefings appointment of Roland Mora as on the Veterans Outreach and Deputy Assistant Secetary of Labor Community Services Program in for Veterans Employment. Mora the spring of 1979, such a briefing was forced to resign after serious was not held until October of 1979 damage had been done to veterans' and only after pressure was applied employment programs. by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. "Lawson's recognized in- Lawson has been heard to say that competence and ineffectiveness be represents the veterans organiza- combined with his cagerness to put tions and, there, briefings were not personal and political expediency a top priorty with the Committee. and public relations ahead of the Under Lawsons' leadership, the veterans' substantive interests made Committee has become an appen- him the White House choice for the dage to the committee's staff. The 48,000 dollar-a-year job the Ad- Committee has no yearly planning, ministration really does not want to holds infrequent meetings with in- be successful. Lawson already ap- creasingly poor participation from pears more adept at re-enforcing the principal members involved, the Federal Agencies' negative im- and the inter-agency coordination ages of Vietnam veterans than of services for the Veterans coordinating their programs and Outreach and Community Services services for veterans. When his self program has not been as successful serving has done irreversible as it might have been. All respon- damage to veteran's programs, he sibility for the Veterans Outreach will resign as did Mora." and Community Services Pro- Lawson has recently confirmed grams, the major initiative of the rumors that his resignation from Committee, was transfered from the White House position is ex- Lawson's office to DoL three mon- pected. We therefore felt it ap- the ago. Moreover, the committee propriate to assess how closely be meetings have been closed. No followed the course we predicted minutes have been made available for him. to the public so that the purposes of The Sepate Veterans Affairs the committee remain pretty much . In his attempt to curry favor and in the dark as far as the public is it is believed to receive support for concerned. his quest of Mora's DoL job, In many of the VOCS target Lawson strongly opposed the cities, mayoral staff and communi- Carter Administration's 1978 pro- ty based organizations have ex- posed changes of the veterans pressed, off the record, that they preference law. He plagiarized would rather not see the Executive arguments opposing the Carter Director visit their cities; fearing his position that had been prepared by disruptive influence as was the case the DAV but instead of attacking in Chicago and Minneapolis. the Carter position on substantive The first VOCS target city that grounds, Lawson personnally at- Lawson visited was Chicago. Dur- tacked the motives of Congressman ing his meeting with Mayor Byrne, Bonior of Michigan, who was Lawson participated in a loud dispute with Chicago's CETA spearheading the Administration's proposed modifications of veterans Director over the HIRE (Help preference. This personal attack on Through Industry Retiring and Bonior's motives appeared in Employment) program, which it is Lawson's veterans' newsletter reported embarrassed the CETA printed by the American Associa- Director and raised questions in tion of Community and Junior Col- Mayors Byrne's mind over the ef- leges. ficency of support. Lawson reportedly visited Lawson attempted to run for Chicago several weeks later to at- Congress on the Republican ticket tend celebration of Vietnam in Buffalo, NY in 1972, but failed Veterans Week in Grant Park car- to get the required number of rying a brief case handcuffed to his signatures to place his name on the wrist. Chicago veterans officials With respect to the rumors of his report that because of the meeting departure from the White House, with the mayor, Chicago decided Lawson has informed veterans that not to participate in the program. be has been considering moving on In Minneapolis, Lawson address- for several months. A person such ed the Mayor's Coodinating Com- as himself, he says, "is eminently mittee, brought together to oversee marketable" and "would have no the VOCS program. At that problem finding a new job.' meeting, it is reported that Lawson As a GS-16 on the VA payrol' accused the VA of being a racist receiving $47,889 per year, it is in- agency and that the VA denigrated teresting to note that Lawson had the services provided to veterans by made arrangements 10 participate local agencies such as the State in the Buffalo, N.Y. VA-50th An- Departments of Veterans Affairs. niversary ceremonies and declined Officials further comment that he on the same day, an invitation he offered no facts to substantiate his received to the VA 50th Anniver- statement that the VA was a racist sary ceremonies at the White agency. His comments in Min- House. neapolis so angered the veterans The establishment of the White organizations and CETA prime House Committee for veterans cor- sponsors that the prime sponsors roborated the urgent need for reneged on their commitment to partially fund the Veterans Federal inter-agency coordination. Resource Center at the University In the opinion of many veteran leaders in Washington, deliberate of Minnessota. bureaueratic bunglese pre-empted When Roland Mora was dethron- the Committees' opportunity to ed from his position at the Labor Department in July 1978, VA Ad- function, "if it was ever intended to function at all." ministrator Max Cleland wrote a personal letter of support for Lawson, urging that the Ad- ministration appoint Lawson as Mora's successor despite the fact that Lawson had only become in- terested in veterans employment matters subsequent to the creation of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment position by Congress in October 1976. Prior to that time, Lawson's main interest was education pro- grams for veterans. THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON THE WHITE HOUSE DATE: 6/11 WASHINGTON TO: Morton June 15, 1981 FROM: Diana Charlotte, Morton does not think that For your info Elizabeth needs to meet with these people. If you like we will try to schedule Per our conversation Morton for a meeting with them. Other: We await your advice. Thanks plo. recommend Maiselle 6/17 yes, pls handle Chartitte Leds do t 11B They will call about meeting a Filer AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY VETERANS PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS June 2, 1981 Mrs. Elizabeth Dole Special Assistant to the President The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mrs. Dole: The executive officers of the American Association of Minority Veterans Program Administrators will be meeting in Washington, D.C. on Friday, June 19, 1981. On the 19th we would very much welcome an opportunity to visit with you to share our thoughts on the proposed G.I. Bill. We strongly support a new G.I. Bill for the All Volunteer Force. Our members serve as veterans' affairs coordinators on college and university campuses nationwide. We have much experience in providing the professional counseling services which are necessary in helping Vietnam era and post-Vietnam era veterans return to the classroom. I have taken the liberty of enclosing a brochure from our sixth annual convention which will tell you about our fine organization. I have also enclosed a copy of National Conference on Vietnam Era Veterans-- Issues and Recommendations, which I co-authored. We offer our fullest cooperation and look forward to working with you on behalf of our nation's veterans. With kind regards, Sincerely, TO: Deana /morton 6/9 PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR RECOMMEND COMMENTS ON THE FOLLOWING RI Darryl W. Kehrer Chairman of the Board RETURN TO CHARLOTTE BY Enclosures JUND 9 Ress 9 Reard P.O. Box 14095 Ben Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044 (202) 293-7050 VETE WHE Sixth Annual CATION BENEFITS VCIP VETERANS AAMVPA GRANTSMANSHIP Convention Holiday Inn-Thomas Circle Washington, DC September 23-25, 1980 Senator Alan Cranston has Larry Pressler, United States served in the United States Sen- Senator from South Dakota, is a ate for two terms. He has twice Vietnam veteran who served in been elected Senate Majority the U.S. Army from 1966-68. Whip. Cranston chairs the Sen- Prior to his election to the Sen- ate Committee on Veterans Af- ate, he served two terms in the fairs, and is the author of the U.S. House of Representatives. Veterans Cost of Instruction Pressler is a member of several Program legislation. Cranston key committees, including the is a World War II veteran who Budget Committee and the Se- declined a government defer- lect Committee on Small Busi- ment to serve in the Army ness. infantry. Alan Cranston Larry Pressler U.S. Senator U.S. Senator Thomas A. Daschle is a Viet- Paul L. Thompson has served nam era veteran of the U.S. Air as National Commander of the Force where he was a Strategic Disabled American Veterans S.A.Y. Intelligence Officer. He is a first for the past year. He is the first term Congressman who was black veteran ever to hold that elected Vice President of the position. Thompson is a veteran New Members in Congress of World War II, Korea, and Viet- Caucus. Daschle also serves nam. He was instrumental in es- as Vice President of Vietnam tablishing the DAV's nation- Veterans in Congress. He is a wide Vietnam Vet Outreach Pro- co-author of the White House gram to address readjustment Conference on Veterans legis- needs of Vietnam veterans. lation. Thomas A. Daschie Paul L. Thompson U.S. Congressman Disabled American Veterans William E. Lawson, a Vietnam Dennis R. Wyant, Deputy Assis- combat veteran, is Executive tant Secretary for Veterans Em- Director of the White House Vet- ployment at the U.S. Depart- erans Federal Coordinating ment of Labor, is responsible Committee. He is responsible for the evaluation and monitor- for policymaking decisions re- ing of over 2,500 Job Service garding White House initiatives offices and over 400 CETA pro- growing out of the Presidential grams as they relate to employ- Policy Review Memorandum of ment and training for veterans. 1978. He is past Chairman of Wyant is a Vietnam era veteran, the Board of AAMVPA and a re- and past National Commander cipient of AAMVPA's Man of the of the Blinded Veterans Year Award. Association. William E. Lawson Dennis R. Wyant The White House Department of Labor Parren J. Mitchell was elected Bill Bradley is serving his first to Congress ten years ago as term in the U.S. Senate. Besides Maryland's first Black Con- being a gold medalist in the gressman. He is a past Chair- 1964 Olympic Games and a man of the Congressional Black past professional basketball Caucus. Mitchell currently player for the New York Knick- serves as Whip-At-Large. He is erbockers, Bradley has taught a member of the Small Busi- in urban street schools and ness Committee, and Chairman worked for the former Office of of its Task Force on Minority En- Economic Opportunity. He is terprise, as well as a senior now a member of the Finance member of the House Banking Committee, and chairs the Sub- Finance and Urban Affairs committee on Revenue Shar- Parren J. Mitchell Committee. ng. Bill Bradley U.S. Congressman U.S. Senator Joan Zeldes Bernstein is the Daniel A. Mica is a Congress- General Counsel of the Depart- man from the 11th Congres- ment of Health and Human Ser- sional District in Florida. He vices. She currently serves as serves on the Veterans Affairs the Chairwoman of the Inter- Committee, and is a member of agency Work Group to Study the Subcommittees on Medical the Possible Long Term Effects Facilities and Benefits; Com- of Phenoxy Herbicides and pensation, Pension, Insurance Contaminates. The work group and Memorial Affairs; and Spe- is examining the possible ef- cial Investigations. He is serv- fects of dioxins like Agent Or- ing his first term in Congress, ange on Vietnam veterans and and is chairman of the New other citizens. Members Caucus. Joan Zeldes Bernstein Daniel A. Mica Dept. of Health & U.S. Congressman Human Services Chalmers P. Wylie was First Robert Edgar has served three elected to Congress in 1966 terms in the US House of Rep- He serves on the House Veter- resentatives He is a member of ans Affairs Committee and the the Veterans Affairs Committee Committee on Banking F- and the Subcommittees on nance and Urban Affairs He is Compensation Pension, Insur- a highly decorated World War ance and Memorial Affairs, and II combat veteran who enlisted Medical Facilities and Benefits as a private in the Amy and He has sponsored legislation to obtained the rank of first New extend the delimiting date, as tenant. He is currently a colone well as offered legislation on in the Army Reserves several other key veterans is- sues Chalmers P. Wylie Robert Edgar U.S. Congressman U.S. Congressman AGENDA AAMVPA Board of Directors Earl C. Abrams Raymond Moon For Office Use Only Philadelphia, PA Philadelphia, PA No Frank Brown Bruce M. Mort Zip Tacoma, WA St. Louis, MO Carl J. Dumberg John M.T. Tracey Miami, FL Boston, MA Yes TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1980 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1980 Nicholas Early Bill Warren Cleveland, OH 9:00 a.m. Board of Directors' Room 311 Workshop Cumberland A & B Coolidge, AZ 8:30 a.m. Meeting to Veterans Employment Darryl W. Kehrer Gloria C. Williams wish to register for the Sixth Annual AAMVPA Convention, September 23-25, 1980, at the Holiday Inn-Thomas Circle, Washington, DC. 10:00 a.m. and Training Washington, DC AAMVPA CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM I understand that I am responsible for making my own hotel accommodations directly with the Holiday Inn-Thomas Circle. War Veteran $45 Registration Fee, if postmarked & paid by September 15, 1980; $50 Registration Fee, if postmarked & paid after September 15, 1980; Richardson, TX 1:00 p.m. Registration Cumberland A & B State to 10:00 a.m. Workshops Alternates 5:00 p.m. to Veterans Cost of Cumberland A & B 10:45 a.m. Instruction Program Dorothy Buckles Jack Lutes 7:00 p.m. Opening Session Cumberland A & B Or New Orleans, LA Portland, OR to Grantsmanship Cumberland C Ronald DeChant Clint Walker 8:30 p.m. Veterans Legislation Cumberland C Or Consumer & Program Enhancing Opportunities for Room 311 St. Louis, MO Augusta, GA Information Center Veteran Offenders Cynthia L. Wolff No Washington, DC City 8:30 p.m. Wine & Cheese Reception Shiloh Room 10:45 a.m. Workshops Holiday Inn-Thomas Circle to to Readjustment of Cumberland A & B September 23-25, 1980 Washington, DC 20005 Please return to: AAMVPA, P.O. Box 14095, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, D.C. 20044 9:30 p.m. 11:30 a.m. Minority Veterans 202-737-1200 Please Print Or Yes Servicemembers' Cumberland C WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1980 Opportunity Colleges Or WHO SHOULD ATTEND 9:00 a.m. Hill Session Room 5110 Dirksen Small Business Development Room 311 Benefits Counselors Veteran to Senate Office Building 12:00 p.m. Federal Agencies 12:15 p.m. Awards Luncheon Campus Veterans Affairs Officers Street to Disabled Veterans Employment Assistants 12:00 p.m. Lunch (On your own) 2:00 p.m. Mayflower Hotel East Room Employment and Training Administrators to 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW Prison Administrators 1:30 p.m. Probation or Parole Officers 2:00 p.m. Business Meeting Cumberland A & B Regulations Writers 1:30 p.m. Hill Session Room 5110 Dirksen to (Members Only) State Approvers to Senate Office Building 5:00 p.m. Veterans Employment Representatives 4:00 p.m. Legislative Meeting Election of Board Members Veterans Outreach Center Counselors Adoption of Resolutions College or Organization 7:00 p.m. Regional Caucuses See Announcement Board 5:00 p.m. Adjourn 202-293-7050 $50, Membership Dues only. CONSUMER & PROGRAM Name Phone Fees Per Person: INFORMATION CENTER Address A special feature of the AAMVPA Convention will again be the Consumer and Program Information Center. This center offers participants a chance to leisurely review - information provided by federal agencies who are man- dated to serve veterans. In addition, veterans program administrators from around the country will display infor- mation on the programs they operate for veterans, AAMVPA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Please Print I accept your invitation to become a member of AAMVPA. Name Title How long is present position Institution or Organization Business Address (Street) (City) (State) (Zip) Type of Organization: Education Non-Education Phone ) ( ) Organization Home VCIP Recipient: Yes No Veteran: Yes No War Veteran: Yes No MEMBERSHIP FEE: $50.00. Please make checks payable to "AAMVPA." New Renewal All dues are payable by October 1 of each year and will be considered delinquent sixty days thereafter. By-Laws, Article III, as. amended. Please Print HOTEL REGISTRATION FORM Please Print I am attending the Sixth Annual Convention of the American Association of Minority Veterans Program Administrators September 23-25, 1980, at the Holiday Inn-Thomas Circle, Massachusetts Avenue at Thomas Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20005, (202) 737-1200. am responsible for making my own hotel reservations, and understand that there are a limited number of rooms reserved for this meeting. also understand that check-out time is 12 o'clock noon, and that if am arriving after 6 p.m., must remit the first night's lodging in advance. Name Title College or Arrival AM Association Date Hour PM Departure AM Address Date Hour PM City State Zip Single (45.00 + tax) Double ($54.00 + tax) Please mail directly to the Holiday Inn-Thomas Circle. a space available basis. first-served basis. get the special convention rate. arrangements. Circle are: for speakers and those not registered at the hotel is on Free parking is available for registered guests. Parking September 9. After that date, lodging is on a first-come, The AAMVPA block of rooms will be held only until are attending the AAMVPA Convention so that you will sure you notify the hotel registration personnel that you brochure. If you make your reservations by telephone, be A convenient hotel registration card is included in this pants are responsible for their own room and travel hotel with one night's room deposit in advance. Partici- Participants arriving after 6:00 p.m. must provide the $58.00-Double + 8% tax + $.80 city tax $45.00-Single + 8% tax + $.80 city tax Special convention rates at the Holiday Inn-Thomas Airport, and the train depot at Union Station. is only minutes away from the Kennedy Center, National access to all government offices and the Congress, and House, and many other historical sites. It provides easy the Metro subway station at McPherson Square, the White conveniently located within easy walking distance from the Holiday Inn at Thomas Circle, Washington, D.C. It is Site for the Sixth Annual AAMVPA Convention will be HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS Please make checks payable to "AAMVPA." your packet to be prepared. tember 15, 1980, to assure that it is received in time for this brochure and return it to AAMVPA no later than Sep- wish to pre-register, please complete the printed form in area so that they may avoid the registration line. If you convention packets at a special desk in the registration Conferees who have pre-registered may pick up their $50-membership dues and paid after September 15, 1980 $50-registration fee, if postmarked and paid by September 15, 1980 $45-registration fee, if postmarked Registration fees are: Inn in Cumberland Rooms A & B. ber 23, 1980, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. only at the Holiday Registration for the convention will be on Septem- REGISTRATION & FEES from zone to zone. available at the station. person. $3.25. rials to: gress, for example, is $1.45, with graduated increases imum fare for zone one, between the hotel and the Con- zoned, not metered, and relatively inexpensive. The min- Taxi Service-Within the District of Columbia, service is is based on the distance ridden and the time of day. and Red Lines are operational. Minimum cost is $.50 and ited service is available on Sunday. The Blue, Orange ends at 12:00 midnight, Monday through Saturday Lim- Thomas Circle. Subway service begins at 6:00 a.m. and 14th Street, N.W. is just 2½ blocks from the Holiday Inn- Metro-The McPherson Square Metro Subway stop at mately every half hour into and out of the city. hound and Trailways bus lines, with service approxi- Bus Service-Washington, D.C. is served by both Grey- Subway service to the downtown and suburban areas is Union Station, only three blocks from the U.S. Capitol. have passenger service to Washington, D.C. arriving at Rail Service-Both Amtrak and Southern Railways ousine service is $6.50 and taxi fare is about $24 $24.00. proximately one hour from downtown Washington Lim- Baitimore-Washington International Airport is ap- downtown area for $6.00. Cab fare is about $24.00 per the center of the city. There is airport bus service to the Dulles International Airport is about an hour from fare is approximately $7.00 and airport bus service is town area. Subway service is approximately $.75 Cab National Airport is about 20 minutes from the down- D.C. metropolitan area. Airports-Three airports serve the greater Washington, TRAVEL INFORMATION (301) 420-8728. Prince Georges Community College, Largo, MD 20870, Alfred Simons, Supervisor, Veterans Upward Bound, be returned. If you have questions, please contact Dr. AAMVPA Convention.' Unfortunately, materials cannot Friday, September 19, 1980. Mark them "Hold for Materials must reach the convention site no later than Washington, D.C. 20005 Massachusetts Avenue & Thomas Circle, NW Holiday Inn-Thomas Circle Ms. Joan Schuldenfrei program office in the center, please forward your mate- this feature of the convention. If you wish to include your outreach items. All program administrators are invited to participate in through their brochures, pamphlets, posters, and other ers about the programs and policies of their offices or agencies. Convention registrants will be able to express their concerns and voice their needs on behalf of the veterans with whom they work. This full day of discussion and information exchange will take place in Room 5110 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. Among others, conferees will meet with the Honorable Alan Cranston, chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee; the Honorable Larry Pressler, member of the Small Business Committee in the Senate; the Honorable John Heinz, member of the Senate Committee on Finance; and the Honorable Bill VA Administrator Max Cleland speaks to AAMVPA conferees Bradley, also a member of the Senate Finance Commit- as Chairman Darryl W. Kehrer looks on. tee. Photo by Finnegan & Associates Also speaking will be the Honorable Parren Mitchell, former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and member of the House Committee on Small Business; the Honorable Robert Edgar, member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee; the Honorable Chalmers P. Wylie, member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee; the YOU Honorable Thomas A. Daschle, member of the House Are A Veterans Affairs Committee; and the Honorable Dan Minority Veterans Mica, also a member of the House Committee on Veter- Program Administrator! ans Affairs. If you serve Black, Spanish-speaking, Oriental or William E. Lawson, founder and former chairman of the Native American veterans in your program or college, Board of AAMVPA, will be with us for the "Hill" session then you are a minority veterans program administrator. in his capacity as executive director of the White House The needs of all veterans, but especially Vietnam era Veterans Federal Coordinating Committee. veterans, are important and are the prime focus of the High ranking federal agency personnel who have American Association of Minority Veterans Program agreed to speak include VA Administrator Max Cleland; Administrators. Alan K. Campbell, director of the Office of Personnel Join us in Washington, D.C., from September 23-25, Management; Jody Bernstein, general counsel for the 1980, for the Sixth Annual AAMVPA Convention! Department of Health and Human Services; and Dennis R. Wyant, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment. EXCITING MEETINGS The AAMVPA Convention includes a complete round of exciting meetings on a variety of topics of interest to WORKSHOPS veteran program administrators. Workshops, general sessions, and an entire day of discussions with Senators, Workshop topics include: Congressmen, White House personnel, and Federal Veterans Cost of Instruction Program Agency representatives make up the core of the AAMVPA Veterans Employment and Training Convention Program. Grantsmanship Opportunities for Veteran-Offenders Readjustment of Minority Veterans A DAY ON THE HILL Servicemembers' Opportunity Colleges Small Business Development Highlighting the Sixth Annual AAMVPA Convention will An awards luncheon will honor outstanding men and be a day spent with Senators, Congressmen, White women who have worked diligently to benefit Vietnam House personnel, and Federal Agency representatives era veterans, especially minority veterans. A series of who will exchange their ideas and concerns with con- timely resolutions will be passed at the business meeting vention participants. Convention registrants will be able following the luncheon. to speak directly with these leaders and policymakers. The AAMVPA Convention is approved for VCIP Convention registrants will be able to question the speak- travel. MAJOR ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS Through the years, the American Association of Mi- nority Veterans Program Administrators has proved itself as a leadership organization in many areas. AAMVPA has been especially active in the areas of veteran of- fenders, education, judicial review, employment and dis- charge upgrading. AAMVPA has testified on these and other issues before the House and Senate Veterans Af- fairs Committees, at regional congressional hearings, and at federal departmental hearings. Three of the major accomplishments of the association have been: Encouraged, under the leadership of then Chair- man William E. Lawson, the elimination of the age limitation for veteran participation in the Upward Bound program. This measure was passed by the Congress in 1978, after three years of diligent work by AAMVPA members. The measure now allows formerly ineligible veterans to participate in Upward Bound programs administered by the Department of Education. Sensitized the Veterans Administration, other fed- eral agencies, and the Congress to the readjust- ment needs of incarcerated veterans. Veterans Administration outreach services have increased fivefold since AAMVPA began its initiative in 1975. Veteran inmates are being served more and more by campus veterans affairs offices. Within the last year, the Senate Veterans Affairs Com- mittee has twice held substantive hearings on the issue of incarcerated veterans. A group of campus Veterans Affairs Adminis- trators, led by AAMVPA Chairman Darryl W. Kehrer, in conjunction with the National Confer- ence on Vietnam Era Veterans, met in 1979 with then Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Joseph Califano regarding much needed legisla- tive changes in the Veterans Cost of Instruction Program. Most of the recommendations were adopted by the federal agency and submitted to the Congress, which included the changes in the Higher Education Reauthorization Act of 1980. The Sixth Annual AAMVPA Convention is co- sponsored, in part, by the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY VETERANS PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS June 2, 1981 Mrs. Elizabeth Dole Special Assistant to the President The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mrs. Dole: The executive officers of the American Association of Minority Veterans Program Administrators will be meeting in Washington, D.C. on Friday; June 19, 1981. On the 19th we would very much welcome an opportunity to visit with you to share our thoughts on the proposed G.I. Bill. We strongly support a new G.I. Bill for the All Volunteer Force. Our members serve as veterans' affairs coordinators on college and university campuses nationwide. We have much experience in providing the professional counseling services which are necessary in helping Vietnam era and post-Vietnam era veterans return to the classroom. Wd2 I have taken the liberty of enclosing a brochure from our sixth annual convention which will tell you about our fine organization. I have also enclosed a copy of National Conference on Vietnam Era Veterans- Issues and Recommendations, which I co-authored. Earl We offer our fullest cooperation and look forward to working with you on behalf of our nation's veterans. ohnot abrams With kind regards, Sincerely, TO: Deara / 6/9 PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR RECOMMENT COMMENTS ON THE FOLLOWING RI Darryl W. Kehrer Chairman of the Board RETURN TO CHARLOTTE BY Enclosures JUNO 9 READ P.O. Box 14095 Ben Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044 (202) 293-7050 IL a AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY VETERANS PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS June 2, 1981 Mrs. Elizabeth Dole Special Assistant to the President The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mrs. Dole: The executive officers of the American Association of Minority Veterans Program Administrators will be meeting in Washington, D.C. on Friday, June 19, 1981. On the 19th we would very much welcome an opportunity to visit with you to share our thoughts on the proposed G.I. Bill. We strongly support a new G.I. Bill for the All Volunteer Force, Our members serve as veterans' affairs coordinators on college and university campuses nationwide. We have much experience in providing the professional counseling services which are necessary in helping Vietnam era and post-Vietnam era veterans return to the classroom. I have taken the liberty of enclosing a brochure from our sixth annual convention which will tell you about our fine organization. I have also enclosed a copy of National Conference on Vietnam Era Veterans-- Issues and Recommendations, which I co-authored. We offer our fullest cooperation and look forward to working with you on behalf of our nation's veterans. With kind regards, Sincerely, TO: Deare /matm 6/9 PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR RECOMMENT COMMENTS ON THE FOLLOWING RI Darryl W. Kehrer Chairman of the Board RETURN TO CHARLOTTE BY Enclosures JUNO 9 Reard P.O. Box 14095 Ben Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044 (202) 293-7050 File THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON see letterhead June 15, 1981 Charlotte, Morton does not think that Elizabeth nees to meet with these people. If you like we will try to schedule Morton for a meeting with them. We await your advice. Thanks Maiselle