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A.C.T. News Stories |
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CURRENT NEWS We will be sending delegates to the Fall Rally in Washington, DC, September 24-30
URGENT IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED SUBJECT: EARLY RETIREMENT FOR TECHNICIANS BACKGROUND The Senate version of the FY 2001 National Defense Authorization bill, S. 2549, contains a provision, section 646, that would permit retirement after 25 years of service or after turning 50 with 20 years of service for Military Technicians. This provision was presented as an amendment, S. AMDT. 3244, and agreed to in the Senate. The Senate passed the bill in its entirety on July 13.
The House passed its version of the bill, H.R.4205, on May 18. The House bill does not contain a similar provision. The House has had a Bill (H.R. 1079) on this issue in committee for over a year now and has taken no action on it. It is our understanding that the House is against this early retirement for Technicians. Since the two authorization bills differ on many issues, the House And Senate must "conference" to resolve the differences. Each Chamber selects "conferees" who will make the final negotiations. This process results in the "conference report" which is usually Passed in the House and Senate without much of a stir. RECOMMENDATION Call your Congressional delegation to voice Your opinion. There is a toll-free number to the Capitol switchboard That you may use for this issue, 1-888-642-8799. Time is very short, The conference could be final as soon as the House and Senate come Back into session on September 5 & 6. Tell your Senators to contact Senator Wayne Allard and Senator Max Cleland of the Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee and ask Them to insist that the Technician retirement provision, section 651 of The Senate version of the bill, be incorporated into the conference Report. Also contact your Congressman and ask him/her to contact Representative Steve Buyer and Representative Neil Abercrombie of The Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee and ask them To support section 651 of the senate bill. Should you not know who your members of Congress are, contact The National Office at 1-800-234-3264. This action is urgent and critical. Get as many individuals as possible To call their national elected officials. This is an election year – take advantage of it! |
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Attorney Dan Schember updates Chapter Officers during 2001 Spring rally. |
New York Delegation visits with Congressman McNulty during 2001 Spring rally. |
New York Officers Visit Senator Schumer during 2001 Spring rally to discuss technician issues. |
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New York City & Long Island chapter Officers visit Congressman Forbes during 2000 rally. |
New York City & Long Island chapter Officers visit Congressman Nadler during 2000 rally. |
New York Officers visit with Congresswoman Slaughter during 2000 rally. |
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If you have an interest in Legislative issues for the technician program, contact any of your chapter officers and tell them you want to get involved. It's a great educational experience to go to Washington with the Association and watch our Government working. |
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The Following is a letter from our Past President John Hunter welcoming our Legislative Laison John Goulait. I feel it is important for all of our membership to understand that A.C.T. has a full time staff member working to improve Technician benefits, and act on our behalf in Washington D.C.. John's position did not come about easy. Many Chapters and states opposed spending money to hire a full time legislative coordinator, and felt that we could better grass roots lobby our issues as a team. New York was one of many states that felt that this position was both necessary and warranted, and we vigorously attacked the issue with supporting states until we gained this position within the A.C.T. National structure. Your state officers would very much appreciate it if you would send Mr. Goulait any information or ideas that you may have to better technician benefits. You can find his e-mail address on the National Staff Page. September 6, 2000 Dear Chapter President/Legislative Representative/Friend: The Executive Board of the Association Of Civilian Technicians would like to welcome John J. Goulait. John’s leave has recently been approved and he has accepted the position of National Legislative Coordinator. He will begin on September 11th. We look forward to working with John Goulait and below is a brief biography. John Joseph Goulait was born in St. Clair, Mich., Nov. 16, 1944 and is the son of John Lawrence and Elfrieda Elizabeth (Wenzel). John married Dawn Marie Evans on June 26, 1970. John has 2 children, Aimee Marie and Kathleen Elizabeth. John is an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist for Pennsylvania Air National Guard, 171st Air Refueling Wing. John has been a member of ACT – Pittsburgh Chapter since 1981. He has also served as Chapter Vice President from 1996 to present. John obtained a BAA at St. Leo College in 1968; MA at California University in Pennsylvania in 1991. Postgraduate work at Nova Southeastern University since 1992. John is also a Certified College Educator in management and geography. John is a representative of the Texas New England Republican Diners Club located in N.Y.C. He is also a member of the US Steel Workers Association Local 1211 in Aliquippa, Pa. He is a past member of the Beaver Valley Jaycees, U.S. Swimming (qualified National Referee), Rochester Boro Volunteer Fire Department, and American Society for Training and Development. Keep The Faith John Hunter |
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