HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

 VETERANS' AFFAIRS

 

April 12, 2005 Hearing Room C

8:30 A.M.  Tapes 61 - 64

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:            Rep. Donna Nelson, Chair

Rep. Phil Barnhart, Vice-Chair

Rep. Debi Farr, Vice-Chair

Rep. Brian Boquist

Rep. Scott Bruun

Rep. Dave Hunt

Rep. Betty Komp

 

STAFF PRESENT:                  Jim Stembridge, Committee Administrator

Erin Seiler, Committee Assistant

 

MEASURES/ISSUES HEARD:

                                                HCR 9 – Public Hearing

                                                HB 2878 – Public Hearing

                                                HB 2739 – Public Hearing

                                                HB 2795 – Public Hearing

 

 

TAPE #	Speaker	Comments
TAPE 61, A
001	Chair Nelson	Opens the meeting at 8:39 a.m. Opens a public hearing on HCR 9.
HCR 9 – PUBLIC HEARING
122	Jim Stembridge	Explains HCR 9, which recognizes June 14 of each year as “Honor Our Troops Day.”
136	Mac MacDonald	Representative, Veterans’ Organizations. Testifies in opposition to HCR 9.
162	Walter Crews	Legislative Representative, Non Commissioned Officers Association. Testifies in opposition to HCR 9.
170	Kevin O’Reilly	Government Relations/Advocacy Director, Oregon Paralyzed Veterans’ of America. Testifies in opposition to HCR 9.
201	Chair Nelson	Closes the public hearing on HCR 9. Opens a public hearing on HB 2878.
HB 2878 – PUBLIC HEARING
205	Jim Stembridge	Committee Administrator. Explains HB 2878, which allows State Parks and Recreation Commission to acquire property rights or interests necessary to develop memorials in honor of veterans and war memorials.
217	Mac MacDonald	Representative, Veterans’ Organizations. Testifies in support of HB 2878.
236	Rachel Crawford	Legislative Assistant, Office of Representative Brian Boquist. Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of HB 2878 (EXHIBIT A).
286	Linda Christy	Deputy Director, Coalition of Troop Support. Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of HB 2878 (EXHIBIT B).
339	Sue Robertson	Director, Coalition of Troop Support. Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of HB 2878 (EXHIBIT C).
TAPE 62, A
003	Rep. Boquist	Points out that HB 2878 will only allow the State Parks and Recreation Commission the option to fund memorials in honor of veterans.
030	Rep. Hunt	Raises concern about the ability of the State Parks and Recreation Commission to seize land for memorials using eminent domain authority.
040	Chair Nelson	Agrees with inappropriateness of eminent domain authority and that HB 2878 would need an amendment to remove that provision.
046	Rep. Barnhart	Questions how much the State Parks and Recreation Department actually exercise eminent domain authority and if it is authority that the department needs to maintain for special land use cases.
074	Chair Nelson	Opens a public hearing on HB 2739.
HB 2739 – PUBLIC HEARING
077	Jim Stembridge	Committee Administrator. Explains HB 2739, which directs State Parks and Recreation Director to adopt rules that make state funding assistance available to nonprofit veterans’ organizations to construct and restore veterans and war memorials located on public property.
085	Rachel Crawford	Legislative Assistant, Office of Representative Brian Boquist. Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of HB 2739 (EXHIBIT D).
143	Rep. Boquist	Explains why it is necessary to have the provisions in HB 2739 in statute.
162	Crawford	Concludes summary of written testimony (EXHIBIT D, Page 2).
195	Chair Nelson	Addresses the opposition of State Parks and Recreation Department to HB 2878 and HB 2739.
230	Sue Robertson	Director, Coalition of Troop Support. Submits written testimony on behalf of Cliff Robertson in support of HB 2739 (EXHIBIT E).
235	Linda Christy	Deputy Director, Coalition of Troop Support. Summarizes written testimony of Cliff Robertson (EXHIBIT E).
278	Robertson	Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of HB 2739 (EXHIBIT F).
326	Rep. Hunt	Addresses why it would be valuable to speak with the State Parks and Recreation Department Director Tim Wood.
344	Rep. Komp	Agrees with Rep. Hunt.
356	Staff Sergeant  Sonya Kingsley	Unit Administrator Psychological Operational Company, Portland Company. Testifies in support of HB 2739.
TAPE 61, B
027	Mac MacDonald	Representative, Veterans’ Organizations. Testifies in support of HB 2739.
039	Chair Nelson	Comments why the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs does not exist in Oregon Revised Statutes.
049	Staff Sergeant Luke Wilson	Veteran, Oregon Resident. Testifies in support of HB 2739.
124	Wilson	Plays video of his pre-recorded testimony in support of HB 2739.
238	Wilson	Explains why war memorials are symbolic and serve as an important psychological and emotional outlet for soldiers.
The following written testimony is submitted for the record without public testimony:
	Lorena Navarez	Citizen, City of Sandy. Submits written testimony in support of HB 2878 (EXHIBIT G) and HB 2739 (EXHIBIT EE).
	Sue Robertson	Director, Coalition of Troop Support. Submits written testimony on behalf of the Coalition of Troop Support Board Members in support of HB 2878 (EXHIBIT H) and HB 2739 (EXHIBIT FF).
	Sue Robertson	Director, Coalition of Troop Support. Submits written testimony in support of HB 2878(EXHIBIT I)  and HB 2739 (EXHIBIT GG).
	Ann Tafolla	Citizen, Oregon. Submits written testimony in support of HB 2878 (EXHIBIT J)  and HB 2739 (EXHIBIT HH).
	Lisa Wells	Citizen, City of Portland. Submits written testimony in support of HB 2878 (EXHIBIT K) and HB 2739 (EXHIBIT II).
	Tim Wood	Director, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Submits written testimony in opposition to HB 2878 (EXHIBIT L).
	Tim Wood	Director, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Submits written testimony in opposition to HB 2739 (EXHIBIT M).
249	Chair Nelson	Closes the public hearing on HB 2739 and HB 2878.
270	Chair Nelson	Opens a public hearing on HB 2795.
HB 2795 – PUBLIC HEARING
275	Jim Stembridge	Explains HB 2795, which appropriates moneys from General Fund to Director of Veterans’ Affairs for building memorial to Oregon military personnel killed in Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
309	Chair Nelson	Speaks in support of HB 2795.
365	Clay Kesterson	President, Afghan-Iraqi Freedom War Memorial Fund. Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT N).
TAPE 62, B
003	M.J. Kesterson	Vice-President, Afghan-Iraqi Freedom War Memorial Fund. Testifies in support of HB 2795.
046	Richard Gorby	President, Oregon State Council of Vietnam Veterans. Testifies in support of HB 2795.
068	Rep. Boquist	Asks how much money has been raised by the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom War Memorial Fund.
071	C. Kesterson	States how much money the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom War Memorial Fund has raised.
091	Melissa Andrews	Citizen, Oregon. Testifies in support of HB 2795.
148	John Newman	Veteran, City of Welches. Testifies in support of HB 2795.
254	Ron Anderson	Veteran, City of Wilsonville. Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT O).
357	Lewis White	Veteran, City of Sweet Home. Testifies in support of HB 2795.
TAPE 63, A
002	Kristine Van Raden	Author, City of Hillsboro. Testifies in support of HB 2795.
051	Molly Davis	Author, Oregon. Reads “Dear Soldier…” letters written by children from Oregon.
087	Jack Fidler	Veteran, City of McMinnville. Testifies in support of HB 2795.
109	Paula Brown	Deputy Director, Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA). Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT P).
134	J.J. Brown	Student, Cascade High School. Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT Q).
183	Chyla Lulay	Student, Cascade High School. Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT R).
241	Bill McMichaels	Project Manager, Afghan-Iraqi Freedom War Memorial Fund. Testifies in support of HB 2795.
296	Brandon Reece	President, VERTEC Development, Inc. Testifies in support of HB 2795.
340	David Watts	Representative, Air Force Sergeant Association Chapter 1460. Testifies in support of HB 2795.
358	Marc Lucca	Resident, Polk County. Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT S).
TAPE 64, A
023	Staff Sergeant Luke Wilson	Veteran, Oregon Resident. Testifies in support of HB 2795.
The following written testimony is submitted for the record without public testimony:
	Lorena Navarez	Citizen, City of Sandy. Submits written testimony in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT T).
	Reni Nowling	Resident, City of Portland. Submits written testimony in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT U).
	Jim Stembridge	Committee Administrator. Submits written testimony on behalf of Elfriede Plumondore in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT V).
	Sue Robertson	Director, Coalition of Troop Support. Submits written testimony in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT W).
	Sue Robertson	Director, Coalition of Troop Support. Submits written testimony in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT X).
	Sue Robertson	Director, Coalition of Troop Support. Submits written testimony on behalf of the Coalition of Troop Support Board Members in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT Y).
	Linda Christy	Deputy Director, Coalition of Troop Support. Submits written testimony on behalf of Lee Rogers in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT Z).
	Jim Stembridge	Committee Administrator. Submits written testimony on behalf of Lisa Silvey in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT AA).
	Ann Tafolla	Citizen, Oregon. Submits written testimony in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT BB).
	Lisa Wells	Citizen, City of Portland. Submits written testimony in support of HB 2795 (EXHIBIT CC).
059	Chair Nelson	Closes the public hearing on HB 2795.
The following written testimony is submitted for the record without public testimony:
	Walter Crews	Legislative Representative, Non Commissioned Officers Association. Submits written testimony in opposition to HB 3213 (EXHIBIT DD).
062	Chair Nelson	Adjourns the meeting at 11:02 a.m.

 

 

EXHIBIT SUMMARY

 

1. HB 2878, written testimony, Rachel Crawford, 1 p
2. HB 2878, written testimony, Linda Christy, 1 p
3. HB 2878, written testimony, Sue Robertson, 3 pp
4. HB 2739, written testimony, Rachel Crawford, 2 pp
5. HB 2739, written testimony of Cliff Robertson, Sue Robertson, 1 p
6. HB 2739, written testimony, Sue Robertson, 2 pp

14. HB 2795, written testimony, Clay Kesterson, 3 pp
15. HB 2795, written testimony, Ron Anderson, 2 pp
16. HB 2795, written testimony, Paula Brown, 2 pp
17. HB 2795, written testimony, J.J Brown, 3 pp
18. HB 2795, written testimony, Chyla Lulay, 2 pp
19. HB 2795, written testimony, Marc Lucca, 2 pp

 

The following written testimony is submitted for the record without public testimony:

7. HB 2878, written testimony, Lorena Navarez, 2 pp
8. HB 2878, written testimony of Coalition of Troop Support Board Members, Sue Robertson, 3 pp
9. HB 2878, written testimony, Sue Robertson, 4 pp
10. HB 2878, written testimony, Ann Tafolla, 1 p
11. HB 2878, written testimony, Lisa Wells, 1 p
12. HB 2878, written testimony, Tim Wood, 1 p
13. HB 2739, written testimony, Tim Wood, 1 p

20. HB 2795, written testimony, Lorena Navarez, 2 pp
21. HB 2795, written testimony, Reni Nowling, 1 p
22. HB 2795, written testimony of Elfriede Plumondore, staff, 2 pp
23. HB 2795, written testimony, Sue Robertson, 3 pp
24. HB 2795, written testimony, Sue Robertson, 4 pp
25. HB 2795, written testimony of Coalition of Troop Support Board Members, Sue Robertson, 3 pp
26. HB 2795, written testimony of Lee Rogers, Linda Christy, 1 p

AA.  HB 2795, written testimony of Lisa Silvey, staff, 2 pp

BB.  HB 2795, written testimony, AnnTafolla, 1 p

CC.  HB 2795, written testimony, Lisa Wells, 1 p

1. DD.    HB 3213, written testimony, Walter Crews, 3 pp
2. EE.      HB 2739, written testimony, Lorena Navarez, 2 pp
3. FF.       HB 2739, written testimony of Coalition of Troop Support Board Members, Sue Robertson, 3 pp
4. GG.    HB 2739, written testimony, Sue Robertson, 4 pp
5. HH.    HB 2739, written testimony, Ann Tafolla, 1 p
6. II.          HB 2739, written testimony, Lisa Wells, 1 p