Speaker: Jeffrey Addicott, "Domestic Jihad & ISIS"

Transcription

1 May 2015 Speaker: Jeffrey Addicott, "Domestic Jihad & ISIS" An active duty Army officer in the Judge Advocate General s Corps for 20 years (he retired in 2000 at the rank of lieutenant colonel), Professor Addicott spent a quarter of his career as the senior legal advisor to the United States Army s Special Forces. As an internationally recognized authority on national security law, terrorism law and human rights law, Addicott not only lectures and participates in professional and academic organizations both in the United States and abroad (over 500), but he is also a frequent contributor to national and international news media outlets to include FOX NEWS Channel, MSNBC, CNN, BBC, New York Times, Washington Post, etc. (over 2,500). Addicott is a prolific author, publishing over 20 books, articles, and monographs on a variety of legal topics. Addicott s most recent book (2011) is Terrorism Law: Cases, Materials, Comments, 6th edition. Among his many contributions to the field, Addicott pioneered the teaching of law of war and human rights courses to the militaries of numerous nascent democracies in Eastern Europe and Latin America. For these efforts he was awarded the Legion of Merit, named the Army Judge Advocate of the Year, and honored as a co-recipient of the American Bar Association s Hodson Award. Addicott has served in senior legal positions in Germany, Korea, Panama, and throughout the United States. Apart from teaching a variety of courses at the law school to include National Security Law and Terrorism Law, Addicott served as the Associate Dean for Administration at St. Mary s University School of Law ( ) and was the 2007 recipient of the St. Mary s University School of Law Distinguished Faculty Award. Most recently, Professor Addicott has been quoted supporting the right of our soldiers to carry weapons on base. "Before 1993, you could carry a firearm on post. In 1993, the Clinton Administration banned that. Our military soldiers are supposed to be trained in firearms, and it doesn't make any sense to ban weapons which are supposed to be part of your trade". Professor Addicott will provide the details you always wish you knew. He is a talented speaker with a plethora of information. Come ask your questions and get straight answers. Wednesday, May 27, 2015 Lakeside Country Club, 100 Wilcrest Drive 11:00 AM Registration 11:30 AM Program and Lunch RSVP on the website or president@villagerepublicanwomen.org or Lunch $25.00 (cash only) RSVP for lunch only, No later than Friday, May 22 nd at 12:00 NOON Please notify us of dietary restrictions when RSVP *No-Shows will be billed* Complimentary Valet Parking 1

2 President's Message Welcome to May; the month that signals that we are nearly at the half-way mark of another year. This year we get a respite from the state and national elections, but please do not forget about the local elections this November. I will say it again: elections matter; all elections have consequences. Take the time to get informed and get involved. We have many important things to accomplish at our May meeting; please plan on attending. We have some new Standing Rules to consider and we will be electing our alternate delegate to the NFRW Convention. We will begin electing our delegates and alternates to the TFRW Convention, which will be held in November in Lubbock. Our delegate and alternate strength is determined by our membership numbers and it looks like we will have a healthy number of delegates and alternates available to us. Perhaps most importantly, we will elect our Nominating Committee to recommend a new slate of Officers to serve you in If you didn t serve on the last Nominating Committee you are eligible to serve this year. It s one of the most important ways that we can serve our club and I hope you ll consider being nominated to this committee. Finally, I was reviewing some old documents this week and stumbled upon the old Republican Oath. I know that it has been modernized and no longer called an oath but I still think it strikes to the core of who we are, and should be. What do you think? "I believe that the proper function of government is to do for the people those things that have to be done but cannot be done, or cannot be done as well by individuals, and that the most effective government is government closest to the people. I believe that good government is based on the individual and that each person s ability, dignity, freedom and responsibility must be honored and recognized. I believe that free enterprise and encouragement of individual initiative and incentive have given this nation an economic system second to none. I believe that sound money policy should be our goal. I believe in equal rights and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin. I believe that persons with disabilities should be afforded equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunities as well. I believe we must retain those principles worth retaining, yet always be receptive to new ideas with an outlook broad enough to accommodate thoughtful change and varying points of view. I believe that Americans value and should preserve their feeling of national strength and pride, and at the same time share with people everywhere a desire for peace and freedom and the extension of human rights throughout the world. Finally, I believe that the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government." Theresa 2

3 Village Republican Women Legislative Update At the March VRW monthly meeting, our members voted to support Rep. Jim Murphy s House Bill 2608, which seeks to return control of local pensions across the state to respective jurisdictions and Senator Paul Bettencourt s Senate Bill 1994, which would allow additional options for pensions by permitting local jurisdictions to move to a defined contribution pension model. The overwhelming general consensus at our meeting was, VILLAGE WANTS LOCAL MUNICIPAL PENSIONS FIXED, and we need local control to get it done. Buffie Ingersoll, on Village s behalf, has been doing yeoman s work as part of a grassroots coalition on this topic. The fate of Rep. Murphy s pension bill in the House is very fluid as of this writing. If it makes it through the Pensions Committee, we will need to fire-up our Village machine again and contact State Representatives Sarah Davis, Patricia Harless and Dan Huberty to shepherd this through the Calendars Committee to make a House floor vote possible. We will be very tight on time, so check your frequently for VRW action instructions. As for the Senate side, Buffie and her coalition recently identified a pension-related bill about to leave the Senate floor. It would be germane to have the local control verbiage added as an amendment, but the language has not yet been added. Obviously, if we are able to amend the bill, our effort to fix Houston s fire-fighters pension system will leap ahead. You may recall from our recent blast that the pension-related Senate Bill that is germane is authored by Senator Huffman, and it s on the calendar to be voted on by the entire Senate. Please contact Senator Huffman s office and ask her to add the local control language to her pension-related bill (SB 1968). Senator Huffman s office number is or her at joan.huffman@senate.state.tx.us Below is the current (as of 5/4/15) news... Beverly Roberts delivered the following letter on behalf of Village Republican Women to the Calendars Committee on Monday, May 4. Rep. Sylvester Turner is carrying HB 2572 that memorializes the agreement Mayor Parker reached with the Firefighters. That agreement will not take effect without a change in state law. Chairman of the Pensions Committee Dan Flynn called a quick desk meeting and the committee voted out Turner s bill with the help of Republican Reps. Dennis Paul and Phil Stephenson from Wharton. Now Turner s bad bill is heading to the Calendars Committee. Sylvester Turner s bill number is HB 2572, a bill that even the Houston Chronicle s Editorial Board said was like giving Advil to someone with brain cancer. It s rare that the Chronicle and conservatives are on the same side. Village Republican Women, comprising over 100 members, encourages you to tag the bill to delay it. We ask you to work with members of the Pensions Committee, asking them to vote Rep. Jim Murphy s bill HB 2608 out of Committee. Members of the Pensions Committee: Dan Flynn (Chair), Roberto Alonzo, Ana Hernandez, Stephanie Klick, Dennis Paul, Justin Rodriguez and Phil Stephenson. Thank you for your help in giving autonomy to the citizens of Houston in making their own decisions about pensions for city employees. Theresa Kosmoski, President TFRW Legislative Day 2015 On April 16th, Nancy Scott, Beverly Roberts, Sarah Parr, Joanie Bain, Rajada Fleming, Carolyn Hodges, Theresa Kosmoski, Connie Chalmers and Buffie Ingersoll represented VRW in Austin for TFRW Legislative Day. Representatives Jim Murphy and Dwayne Bohac recognized VRW on the floor of the House of Representatives. While TFRW was being recognized in the Senate, Buffie Ingersoll, Joanie Bain, Nancy Scott, Sara Parr, and Beverly Roberts lobbied the House Pensions Committee in support of Representative Murphy s pension bill. VRW President Theresa Kosmoski, along with other TFRW board members, were called into a meeting with Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. The lobbying event actually started the night before with an evening of wining and dining at the TFRW Belles and Boots Gala. Among the highlights of the lobbying day, TFRW Patrons had tea with Governor and Mrs. Abbott and their new adorable puppy, Pancake, and were even invited for a rare tour of the upstairs of the Governor s Mansion, which was a first for everyone! 3

4 Welcome new members Full Members: Sondra Rosenthal Aneeta Jamal Amy Robinette Janis Jay Arterbury Vina Nichols Associate Members: Katherine Luckenbach Mary Sergesketter Craig Adams 4

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6 Minutes from April 21, 2015 The meeting was called to order at 11:43 a.m. A quorum was present. Mary Grace Landrum gave the invocation and pledge. Marilyn Davis recognized the candidates, elected officials, and visitors. Also, she requested individuals to pick-up their nametags. Ms. Kosmoski expressed her appreciation to Ms. Davis for her work. The minutes were approved as printed. Treasurer's Report Ms. Kosmoski announced that Ms. Salvo resigned her position and has moved to California. Ms. Kosmoski announced that Ms. Diane Sloan will fill that position and was appointed by the Village Republican Women's Board to serve as the VRW Treasurer. Ms. Sloan was recognized for her gracious acceptance of this position. Ms. Kosmoski also thanked Nancy Scott for help with the transition. Membership Ms. Kathaleen Wall gave the campaign activities report. Board members recorded over 2,700 campaign hours. Ms. Wall encouraged members especially candidates to log their hours. Ms. Wall announced Nancy Scott as the member with the most campaign hours in March. Legislation Ms. Kosmoski gave the report for Deanna Harrington, who had to leave. Ms. Kosmoski noted there were 40 days of the regular session, and sine die will be June 1. Ms. Kosmoski gave a report regarding the status of the pension bills. Representative Murphy's bill, HB2608 went to the Pension Committee on April 20, and the meeting can be viewed through this link - The bill remains in committee. Senator Bettencourt's bill, SB1994 has been referred to the State Affairs Committee and is pending review. Ms. Kosmoski stated that Ms. Harrington recommended following the legislative action by reading the Texas Tribune, the Quorum Report, and the following legislative sites: and 3rd Vice President - Ways and Means Buffie Ingersoll expressed appreciation to the VRW Members for making phone calls to the legislators regarding Murphy's pension bill. Ms. Ingersoll reported that several Village Republican Members visited representatives during the Texas Federation of Republican Women's (TFRW) Legislative Day. This group shared with legislators information from Bill Frazer regarding the pension bill. Ms. Ingersoll encouraged members to continue to make phone calls or visit our legislators to express our support of Murphy and Bettencourt's bills. Ms. Ingersoll noted the importance of contacting Representative Dennis Paul, who serves on the House Pension Committee and assure his support of HB Ms. Ingersoll stated the club's fundraiser will be on November 20, 2015 and is being rolled out. She also gave a status report regarding Gen Now and how our donation is being used to fund involvement in the Texas College Republican State Convention and the High School Republican State Convention. Nancy Scott discussed the auction part of the club's fundraiser. Regarding the fundraiser, a sheet was distributed to members for donation ideas that can be collected and sold at the auction. Ms. Scott asked members to solicit donations; create an auction theme basket; and think of different ideas for auction items. Ms. Kosmoski stated this fundraiser should be so much fun, and she encouraged members to reserve the date on your calendar. Buffie Ingersoll offered to create auction baskets if you bring her the items. Ms. Kosmoski noted that the basket Buffie created for the TFRW Gala on behalf of VRW was very successful and made a lot of money. 6 Continued on next

7 Beverly Roberts announced that her church, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church is collecting gently-used tea-length and long prom dresses and/or shoes. Please bring dresses between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily to the church through May 1. President s Report Ms. Kosmoski gave her report. The Village Republican Women's Club will join with Magic Circle for a summer chat either on June 8 or 9. Ms. Kosmoski asked for a volunteer to host this event in their home. Ms. Kosmoski reported on the TFRW Legislative Day. It was a great day with over 750 women who all wore red jackets and made a statement with their presence in the Capitol. The Boots and Bells Gala the night before was very successful. Ms. Kosmoski requested members to attend the next May meeting because three things must be voted upon. We will select an alternate for the National Convention to be held in Phoenix, delegates for the TFRW Convention in Lubbock and will elect our nominating committee for the fall. Ms. Kosmoski reported this fall, we will have a September Mayor's Forum. In November, the club will host a Veteran's Day Luncheon, and Kathy Smith is working on the details. Ms. Ingersoll stated that Councilman Pennington has pulled out of the Houston Mayor's race due to his wife's health issues. The club will send a card to the Pennington. Program Joanie Bain introduced the program as something outside the box and designed to start us thinking about Ms. Bain recognized a topic of discussion amongst Republicans is finding ways to bridge the gap between the party and Millennials. Lisa Moscarelli, the speaker, is an accomplished media specialist and spoke on the Millennial- Republican Divide. Ms. Moscarelli shared tips on ways to reach out to the Millennials generation. After her presentation, Paul Simpson, the Harris County Republican Party Chair, spoke regarding the Harris County Republican Party Strategic Plan. Ms. Kosmoski gave her closing reports. The meeting adjourned at 1:07 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Katherine Dawson Important Dates Greater Houston Council meeting May 19, 2015 Memorial Day May 25, 2015 Joint CHAT with Magic Circle June 9, 2015 TFRW Summer Board Meeting July 24-25, 2015 Next Village RW Meeting September 23,

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