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ROA Weekly Newsletter for January 21, 2009
In this Issue:
Headlining this week is the release of ROA Legislative Agenda and ROA's inaugural Medal of Honor breakfast yesterday. We also remind you its coming up to the final hours to register for the Mid-Winter Conference.
MILITARY AND LEGISLATIVE POLICY UPDATES:
ROA Takes on Agressive 2009 Legislative Agenda
Annual agenda items are selected to reflect the current environment our members serve in. Agenda items are member-driven, organized by the legislative counsel, and acted on by the staff with actions such as letter writing, legislative lobbying, and working with the uniformed services. While not fully prioritized or all-inclusive, the agenda provides focus for the association's legislative efforts.
 Click here for ROA's 2009 Legislative Agenda
ROA's Effort Results in FVAP Job Vacancy Announcement
The Federal Voter Assistance Program Director job has been posted. The Reserve Officers Association, working with the Alliance for Miliatry and Overseas Voters, sent letters to Department of Defense urging to conduct a fair and open hiring process. The position is open through Feb. 13 for applications.
For Details, click here
The Stimulus Bill could Affect Reserve Component MILCON
Construction-related spending in House Democrats’ stimulus proposal, released Jan. 15, could exceed $160 billion and Reserve base construction projects are among the list. A look at the House Appropriations Committee's explanatory report on the bill, shows substantial funding for a broad range of construction programs, across many federal departments and agencies.
Take a look at the stimulus bill
MID-WINTER CONFERENCE UPDATES:
Mid-Winter Conference Schedule announced
Click here to see schedule (pdf format)
It's Not Too Late to Sign Up for RCJOPDS
You can still participate in the 2009 Reserve Component Junior/Joint Officer Professional Development Seminar by going to this link. Confirm your space by completing the STEP 1 registration. Your payment will be on-site at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on Feb. 1.
Please contact Col Obenland at (360) 895-2720 (Pacific Time) if you are coming and haven't signed up yet.
Make Your Hotel Reservations by Jan. 23
If you haven't made your hotel reservations, please be sure to ACT NOW as the hotel cut-off date is Jan. 23. After that, you can't get the ROA discounted rate.
Click here to reserve your hotel room online
ROA NEWS:
ROA Honors Medal of Honor Recipients
As part of the Salute to Heroes inaugural festivities, ROA hosted the recipients of the Medal of Honor at a tribute breakfast Jan. 20 before they attend the inauguration. Only once every four years can ROA enjoy such a cross section of distinguished and great Americans in a single gathering here in our Minuteman Memorial Building. This event reminds us of our debt to these men, and clearly points to the personal responsibility which every American has today to share in the work of helping to build a healthy and peaceful world.
Click here to visit the Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Click to see the photos from the Medal of Honor Breakfast
ROA Mentioned During Inauguration Rush
See the article on Fredericksburg News Web site
Post Office Could Be Named After ROA Member
If legislation working its way through Congress is approved, the U.S. Post Office in Springfield, Ill., will be named after the first black Illinois resident to obtain the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. John H. Wilson Jr., an ROA member, was 89 when he died in Springfield last August. A U.S. Postal Service employee in Springfield for 57 years, Wilson earned a Silver Star for gallantry in World War II while in France, where he served under Gen. George Patton as a first lieutenant. The local ROA chapter lobbied for the postal designation shortly after Wilson’s death. Its efforts led to the federal legislation, introduced last week by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Phil Hare, (D-Rock Island).
See the State Journal-Register article
COMMUNICATION UPDATES:
New on the Web Site: ROA Announces New Networking Group, Linked-In
Join Linked-In or sign in to become a member of the ROA group.
Sign up at Linked-In Today
Highlighted on ROA's Web Site: Online Renewal Options
January marks the new beginning of the year; have you mailed your renewal forms? There's another way to renew your membership via ROA Web site.
Click here to renew your ROA Membership
Great American Video of the week
ROA is a participating organization in the Great Americans video archive effort. Tune in to watch the video of the Military Photographers on the Frontlines.
Watch this week's video of the Military Photographers
Upload your videos on the Great Americans Web site
NEWS FOR CITIZEN WARRIORS:
Obama: ‘We will Defeat’ Terrorists
Shinseki Confirmed as New VA Secretary
Psychological Health, Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center Opens
Obama Taps 4 for DoD Posts
National Guard and Reserve Activated as of January 20, 2009
ANNOUNCEMENT:
First Homeland Security Magazine Announces Availability of Wounded Warrior Handbook
A comprehensive, resource guide for returning, wounded veterans is now in print, Homeland Defense Journal announced. The handbook is the result of a year’s research by the dedicated staff of Homeland Defense Journal, and includes sources for medical treatment, rehabilitation, counseling, support and transitioning back into “everyday” life. The Handbook has been reviewed by the Department of Defense, Veterans Administration and several wounded warrior associations, and includes the most current set of VA benefits for returning veterans.
See how you can get your own copy
Let Liberty Mutual Help You Conduct a Household Inventory and Win a Digital Camera
As a homeowner or renter, it is important to conduct an inventory of your personal property so that you have a record of belongings. In the event of a loss, this inventory can help you assessing lost or damaged items.
Taking pictures of your property can help even more. Liberty Mutual is giving away a Canon PowershotŪ A590IS camera. Enter for a chance to win by completing an online entry form. No Quote or Purchase Necessary. Ends Feb. 28, 2009.
To get additional information and resources about how you can keep your family and home safe, please visit Liberty Mutual or to get a printable Personal Property log
Click here to enter the drawing
Click here for a printable Personal Property log
Click here to visit Liberty Mutual
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EVENTS:
ROA Mid-Winter Conference and Reserve Component Expo
February 1-4, 2009
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
Washington, D.C.
Click here to Register Online
Defense Education Forum
To find out what DEF events are scheduled, Click Here
CIOR Mid-Winter Seminar February 15-18, 2009
Wesseling, Germany
CIOR/CIOMR Mid-Winter Meeting
February 18-21, 2009
Brussels, Belgium
ROA 2009 National Convention
July 8-11, 2009
Marriott World Center
Orlando, Fla.
NETWORKING:
Want to network with fellow ROA members online? Check out these opportunities:
ROA on Facebook
ROA on Linked-In
MyROA
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY:
January 21, 1954: Navy launched U.S.S. Nautilus (SSN 571), the first nuclear submarine, in Groton, Conn.
See U.S.S. Nautilus Museum Web site
"No man has a right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere." - President Theodore Roosevelt
Please consider a donation to the Reserve Officers Association.
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