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We collect the latest American GI Forum news as it is happening mostly through the membership's efforts who regularly sends us relevant and current activities. Your postings and other materials gathered from the Internet and other sources serve to keep us all informed. Send in stories that we can post here for the reading pleasure of our members. 

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Rudy Madrid  

August 24, 1949 - January 23, 2010

"The Soundtrack of the Chicano Movement in San Jose"

Carnal! That's how Rudy would saludarme whenever we met. He said ever time he heard me say Carnal, he knew I wanted something. Rudy never wanted anything except to entertain us and to remind us that we were One Raza. To me, his voice and music were the Soundtrack of the Chicano Movement in San Jose. The movimiento started for me at San Jose State College when I met him there in September, 1969. That year, 1,000 of us Chicano students were allowed into the college after the San Jose Chicano Community pounded down the gates to get their children inside. Most of us were farm and small town kids from the central valley.

Listening to Rudy's cool, big city music style and voice made us feel like we had made it to the big time. He never let anyone forget - "return to the community, don't forget the community". With his talent....hijole, he was the one who could have left us; but he never did.  Year after year, he had the same effect on everyone, everywhere. His voice was always there, reminding us we were all in this together, that the whole reason for everything was to help La Raza. 

Gracias to the Madrid Family for sharing him with us all these years.
 
The last time I saw Rudy was in July, 2009 as he sang at National Hispanic University for 100 of our brand new Freshman college students. He blew their minds...., just the way he did for all of us all these years. He is resting now; but his voice will always be with us. When we're tired and down, he'll remind us to go "Cruising Baby". On quiet nights, we'll relax and remember his music, his voice and his soul  "Just One More Time". 

Ramon J. Martinez

Ed Porter Campos Dies

November 19, 1939 - January 22, 2010 

Edwardo (Porter) Campos was born in Eagle Pass, Texas. After serving a term in the United States Navy (1964-1968) he went to work for Ford Motor Company for 32 years and became a loyal member of the American G.I. forum. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Esther, of San Jose; two daughters, Gisella and Rachel and son Eddie Jr.; and two granddaughters, Danielle, and Samantha. 

As a long time member of the American GI Forum San Jose Chapter he was known for his humor, wit and support of the Forum and will forever be missed. "Let me tell you something" would precede his commentary and direct approach to  his views. Eddie was a Forumeer's Forumeer and will be deeply missed by all. Augie Lerma

National Commander's January Update

January 31, 2010

American GI Forum of the United States

National Board of Directors and National Executive Board of Directors

We are in a New Year now and we are blessed with the opportunity to regain our balance and move forward and work with the many challenges we have before us. A considerable amount of energy has been given to resolving our internal problems of which some still remain. Our priority remains the same, to serve the American GI Forum of the United States and our fellow members effectively and successfully. We also all need to do our part to increase our membership. We need to recruit effectively from the new generation of veterans who we welcome to the American GI Forum family. With that in mind, please let me share with you some of the important and vital concerns and other things we have currently been involved with:

1. Met with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to discuss the following concerns: the lack of outreach to Hispanic veterans and their families related to employment, suicide and homelessness; the Center for Minority Veterans and Hispanic inclusion and a needed VA Hospital in the Rio Grande Valley.

2. Met with VA Under Secretary of Human Resources, John Sepulveda, to discuss the need for hiring more Hispanics and Hispanic veterans within the entire VA system.

3. Meeting with Dr. Alfonso Batres VA Director of Readjustment Services to discuss outreach to our Hispanic veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD).

4. We continue our work to regain Corporate America’s trust. We have lost ground with our friends, but we will continue to work hard and demonstrate with confidence that the American GI Forum is a worthy investment for them and for our veteran’s community.

5. Washington D.C. Commander Carlos Puertas and former National Commander Lupe Saldana will be our representatives related to attending meetings, hearings, and conferences in Washington, D.C. Not only will they be attending the Veterans Administration meetings, but will also be invited to attend the Round Table meetings on veterans issues held by Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

6. We will be working to partner with Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez and her “Narratives” program: U.S. Latino and Latina WW II (Korea and Vietnam) Oral History Project profiling our war heroes.

7. We are involved with the VA and are part of the AGIF and LULAC Community Prosperity Partnership Program which plans and implements national veteran’s summits. I want to thank the AGIF members who attending the Los Angeles summit. A great deal of information was shared by the Veterans Administration and presentations were made on veteran issues. The next summit is being planned for the Chicago area or somewhere near D.C.

8. We are working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NCLR on Immigration Reform and especially as it affects our Hispanic veterans serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I want to thank California State Commander Willie Galvan for his assistance on this MOU.

9. Plans for our National Mid Year Conference have been completed and it will be held in San Antonio at the Tropicano on March 18-20. I want to thank AGIF members Placido Salazar and Peter Vallecillo for their work to make this conference a successful one. We all want to enjoy San Antonio, but please keep in mind that this is a working and business conference. The hearing of charges will take a good portion of our time.

10. We are ahead in planning for our National Conference. I want to thank Ms. Anna Flores, our Conference planning consultant for her help and guidance: Imperial Palace Las Vegas, July 21-24. The $50.00 room rate is an AGIF GROUP RATE, so let’s all stay at the Imperial Palace.

11. We continue to support the efforts of Mrs. Cecila Akers and her work to honor Dr. Hector P. Garcia with a national holiday, much like SB 495 passed on May 30, 2009 which designates the third Wednesday of each September as Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day in the State of Texas.

12. Web site is in operation, we just need to provide Mr. Jr. Gonzales with information relevant to the American GI Forum and our local, state and national activities.  

AGIF/US National Mid Year Conference: March 18-20, Holiday Inn – El Tropicano, San Antonio. TX

Hotel Reservations: 210-223-9461 Conference Coordinator, Placido Salazar: 210-422-0378

AGIF/US National Office Manager, Ms. Dottie Bruton: 303-458-1700. Thank you for supporting the American GI Forum of the United States. A Veterans Family Organization We Are All Proud Of!

Please share this information with your AGIF State Chapters and membership. Gracias.

Cal Vet Loans

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