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AFSA E-News, Nov. 21
11/25/14, 12:49 PM
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Nov. 21, 2014
AFSA is Doing Great Things!
In the past two weeks, I've had
an opportunity to visit with many
chapters and Airmen serving
our country around the world. I
am inspired and humbled by the
many Airmen carrying out the
mission of the Air Force, and
am very proud of the many
Members of Chapter 1182,
AFSA leaders doing great
Schriever AFB, CO; visit
things for the Association.
with residents of the Bruce
McCandless Colorado State
My journey started in Division 7 Veteran's Home.
with Chapter 1657 in Aviano
AB, then up to Chapter 1674 at Ramstein AB, followed by
Chapter 1681 at Spangdahlem AB. The trip shifted to
Division 6 with Chapter 1181 at Peterson AFB, Colo;
followed by Chapter 1182 at Schriever AFB. By the time
you read this, we will be over with Chapter 1180 at the Air
Force Academy, and wrapping up with Chapter 1179 at
Buckley AFB. The feedback I received will help shape
the Association for the better, and we have some great
ideas to consider. I want to give a special shout out to
A1C Singleton at Aviano AB - this young man is very
inspirational, and has mentored me about a few things.
Shifting gears, as we move past Veterans Day, I ask you
to continue to honor our Veterans throughout the year. I
had the privilege of visiting the Veterans at the Bruce
McCandless Colorado State Veteran's Home with Chapter
1182. I really enjoyed hearing the stories of these great
Americans who served us all. I encourage all of you not
only to hear the stories of fellow veterans, but to tell your
story as well. Only 7% of Americans have worn the
uniform in service to our country, and today less than 1%
serve. This is a good news story and testament to Air
Power, as fewer citizens are needed to protect the
freedoms we all enjoy. Even as the number of Veterans
decline, we must never forget those who serve - past,
present, and future. We have a similar decline in
Congress where fewer of our elected officials than ever
have ever worn the uniform. In the '70s, we had 70% of
Congressman who had been in the military, and today we
Legislative News
NDAA Update
Negotiators are close to reaching
an agreement on the FY15
National Defense Authorization Act
(NDAA), but remain divided on two
key issues: cutting Basic Allowance
for Housing and raising pharmacy
copays. The House wants to block
both, but the Senate appears
unwilling to go that far. AFSA
vigorously opposes the proposed
reductions in payments for housing
and increases in out-of-pocket
costs for medications. Although
these negotiations are not
conducted publically, we've been
urging lawmakers to adopt the
House position every chance we
get. House and Senate negotiators
were on track to complete the bill
by week's end but the stalemate
made that impossible. The bill
will now remain unfinished through
the Thanksgiving recess.
UPDATE On $$
The struggle
also continues
with how best to
fund the
government
beyond Dec. 11
when the current
continuing resolution expires. The
situation seems to change each
day, and as of this writing
lawmakers are leaning toward
another short term CR which would
give them additional time to work
on the matter. AFSA is hearing 90
days, which could put off resolution
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AFSA E-News, Nov. 21
are down to 19%. This makes it more important than ever
that Associations like AFSA are strong advocates on
Capitol Hill.
As we move into the New Year, your Association will work
hard forging relationships with the new members of
Congress to advocate on your behalf, but our work is not
done with the 113th Congress as they wrap up their
session this month. It is important we all do our part: vote,
follow the issues our elected officials are working on, and
communicate with our Congressional representatives. To
help you understand how Congress works, I would like to
recommend a very well written and insightful book for you
to read: An Act of Congress by Robert Kaiser. The book
is surely an eye-opening account of how Congress really
works...and doesn't work. It dialogues the enactment of
the financial reform bill brought about by the financial crisis
we all endured. This is not a dry or dull read, and I think
you will really enjoy it.
Our Association has a lot of work ahead of us, and we at
Headquarters look forward to partnering with the
Executive Council, Chapters, and individual members to
get things done!
Here to Serve,
Robert L. Frank
AFSA CEO
5 Things AFSA Provides
11/25/14, 12:49 PM
of the government funding problem
until mid-March.
Key House Leaders in the 114th
Congress
The House GOP Steering
Committee announced its
leadership recommendations for
some of the key committees AFSA
will be working with in the new
Congress. Rep. Mac Thornberry
(TX) got the nod to lead the House
Armed Services Committee and
Rep. Jeff Miller (FL) and Harold
Rodgers (KY) will remain as heads
of Veterans Affairs and
Appropriations (respectively).
Other changes are coming,
particularly in the Senate which
switches from Democrat to
Republican control in the new
Congress. As in past years, we will
provide a complete list of
leadership changes after all of the
leadership positions have been
announced.
HURRY!
Time is Running Out!
1.
One Powerful Voice. AFSA carries the collective
voice of its members to Capitol Hill and DoD leaders.
2.
Strength in Numbers. A growing, united
membership gives AFSA the influence to make a
difference for its members.
3.
Protection for those who have Protected Us.
AFSA advocates for the hard-earned benefits that Airmen,
Veterans and their families have earned. We protect those
who have protected America.
4.
A Place to Make a Difference. Chapters are the
lifeblood of AFSA, and they provide a base from which
members can make a difference in their military and
civilian communities, and in the lives of other Airmen and
Veterans.
5.
Mentorship. Bringing together Airmen and Veterans
from different eras and stages in life allows us to learn
from each other, and to honor each other because we
have one thing in common: we understand what it is to
serve.
Photo Contest Deadline
Time is running out! Enter your
photo capturing "enlisted life" into
the AFSA Cover Contest. Entries
must be 300 dpi, vertical, and in
.jpeg format. Submit by Dec. 1 to
AFSAComm@hqafsa.org.
Good luck!
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AFSA E-News, Nov. 21
11/25/14, 12:49 PM
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