State Commander’s Column

Membership is the backbone of our organization

First, I would like to welcome Mitch Fuller to the Texas VFW Headquarters team as the Director of Governmental and Public Affairs. With the approval of the Council of Administration, Mitch started on March 1st and hit the ground running. He has been very instrumental in meeting with House Representatives and Senators with issues that affect veterans in the State of Texas.

I’ve asked that all members talk to their State Representatives and Senators about the importance of our doors being open in an emergency shutdown. With your effort we now have two House Bills (HB) and two Senate Bills (SB) filed. They are HB 4215, HB 4155, SB 989, and SB 1493. I would like to thank House Representatives Richard Raymond and Brad Buckley, as well as Senators Dawn Buckingham and Drew Springer for sponsoring these bills.

On April 20th, with over 40 members present, I had the honor to testify with Mitch Fuller on SBs 989 and 1493 to the Senate Business and Commerce Committee. These bills would prevent the closure of all Veteran

Service Organizations in any future shutdown when our services are needed most.

Please continue to be in contact with your State Representative and Senator regarding these bills.

Comrades, as we enter the last few months of the year and with the restrictions removal, I ask that we work on membership. Make those phone calls or go visit with your members. Remember, membership is the backbone of our organization, without it we have no voice. As you have witnessed this past year, we need that voice.

May God Bless you and your families, may God Bless and watch over our troops and may God Bless the United States of America.