Jan-Feb 2010 - NARFE, Texas Federation

The Texas
T
NARFE
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Federal Retiree
The Official Publication of the Texas Federation of the
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Assoc.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
PREZ SEZ
BY RODNEY S. SMITH, FEDERATION PRESIDENT
What an exiting year we have completed and the pace of
legislative action appears to be picking up. The New Year
presents new challenges and opportunities for us to voice our
concerns about retaining the benefits we have earned.
Even though the National Convention isn’t until August
29 to September 2, 2010 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, there is
an opportunity for our attending members to volunteer to be members of convention
committees. Here are the committees, the number of days they meet and the number of
volunteers needed.
Committee
days involved
number acquired
Alzheimers
2
10
Ballot and Tellers
2
22
Bylaws
4
10
Credentials
3
5
Legislation
3
10
Membership
3
6
Resolutions
2
6
Rules
2
5
Sergeants-at-Arms
2-3
22
Secretary
1
2
Timekeeper
1
6
Registration
3
40
Protocol
1
6
This past July, I attended the Federation Presidents’ meeting at the Amway Hotel
in Grand Rapids, MI where the fall 2010 Convention will be held. The hotel is an
outstanding facility. Four years ago Ralph Nelson and I were assigned to the Ballot and
Teller Committee and received $150.00 for 2 days work which aided with hotel and meal
expenses for those extra days.
The January 2010 NARFE magazine should have all the details on the Convention
and deadlines for committees, resolutions, delegates and registration.
I am assuming the deadlines will be similar to those of 2008. The forms may have
different numbers, but I’ll require that those committee requests pass through the Chapter
presidents before March 1, 2010, then sent to me. These requests will then be sent to Jerry
Hatfield, Region VI Vice President, who will forward them to National Headquarters by
March 15, 2010 at which time the final selections will be determined.
I’m certain Pauline Belser will be contacting all Chapter Presidents to ascertain
the annual submission of the Chapter Officer Roster F-7. The National Headquarters
depends upon these updates to send the delegate forms to the chapters.
Some of the exciting things coming up will be how the home office will survive the
failure of the passing of the Dues Referendum. How will we be affected by Congress
passing the Health Care Reform bill? What are the possibilities of GPO, WEP and
Premium Conversion being considered this election year? Look to the NARFE Magazine
for prognoses.
Keep those newsletters coming. Rod
A LOOK INSIDE
Alzheimer’s Update................2
Editor’s Corner........................2
State Legislative Report..........3
Public Relations Message.......3
Chapters Pictures....................4
More Chapters Pictures...........5
From Around The State...........6
NARFE Information...............6
Texas NARFE Chapters list....6
What a surprise was waiting for President Rodney
at a Health Fair that he attended at the US Customs and
Border Protection Agency. (Hint, look closely at the
photo)
In Memoriam..........................7
Officers Information................8
Key Contacts/Liaisons............8
REGION VI REPORT
BY JERRY D. HATFIELD, RVP VI
will be totally new to decision-making at
IS IT 2010 ALREADY?
Although our Texas Federation
will not elect any new officers during
this year, your
NEB
(National
Executive Board)
will likely have
new folks in half
of the fourteen
positions. We hope
these “newbies”
will bring new
ideas and answers to solve our shrinking
membership problems.
Five of the ten RVPs (Regional Vice
Presidents) will be newly elected. These
are in Regions I, II, VI, VII, and X as listed
on page 4 of every NARFE magazine.
Some will have previously served as a
federation president or have equivalent
experience in other organizations. Others
the national or even at the federation level.
We must hope that all will have adequate
interest in and dedication to NARFE to
compensate for any lack of experience.
At least three of the four ROs (Resident
Officers, those with a daily commute to
NHq) will be new although some will have
NEB experience as RVPs. Experience at
the RO level is vital! To consider that any
dues-paying member with great education
and oratory and no experience at any level
of NARFE can become our president is
frightening.
Every delegate to the National
Convention in Grand Rapids next August/
September is obligated to look closely
and study campaign statements by the
numerous national candidates for whom
he/she may elect. Our association deserves
the very best that we can get.
T
NARFE
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“Serving Over 160,000 Retirees & Surving Annuitants and
over 173,000 current Federal and Postal Employees in Texas.”
VOLUME 38 NO. 1
ATTENTION:
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS/SECRETARIES
PLEASE SEND IN YOUR COMPLETED COPY OF THE
‘CHAPTER OFFICER ROSTER’ FORM F-7
TO FEDERATION SECRETARY PAULINE BELSER
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT CORNER
BY MARSHALL RICHARDS, EXECUTIVE VP
Here it is 2010. Where did 2009 go?
Linda and I spent the first two weeks of
December crossing the Atlantic on the
Voyager of the Seas Cruise Ship. We
flew to Barcelona and cruised back to
Galveston. We had a great time and we’ll
be glad to share our experience with you
when we see you. While I was on the ship
I met a retired federal employee that was
not a member of NARFE. He’s from the
College Station area and he said the he
knew Dr John Thomas, so when I came
home, I sent John all of the information on
this prospective member. Never miss an
opportunity to recruit a new member.
This year is another busy year for
NARFE. We have the District meetings
in April (The schedule is listed elsewhere
in this issue) where you will have the
opportunity to meet with some of your
Federation Officers and exchange
information with them. I’ll have the
pleasure of attending the District meetings
in the Southeast Area, that’s Districts
5, 6, 7, and 8 and I will be attending the
West Area Districts 9, 10 and 11, I’m
looking forward to seeing my NARFE
friends and making new ones. I hope that
we will have the best-attended District
meetings in recent years. I don’t see why
we couldn’t have 100 attendees at each
District meeting this year. With what is
going on in Washington and the election
in November, you need to attend and
become informed on what the politicians
want to do to our earned benefits. NARFE
needs you and you need NARFE.
This year is the National NARFE
Convention, which is being held in Grand
Rapids, Michigan, beginning on August
29 and ending on September 2, 2010. In
President Rod’s article he pointed out the
need for NARFE members to volunteer
for
committee
assignments at the
National Convention.
At the last National
Convention I was
privileged to serve
on the Legislative
Committee as Vice
Chair. I encourage
each of you that are
planning to go to the convention to seriously
think about volunteering for a committee
assignment. We all can’t be selected, but
you won’t be selected if you don’t apply.
There will be more information these
committee assignments and the procedure
for applying in this paper and also in the
NARFE magazine. If you have never
been to a National Convention, I would
encourage you to try and attend. That is
where the business of our organization
is conducted. The resolutions that are
sent to the National Office are acted on
at the convention. As you know the dues
referendum was just barely defeated, and
I’m sure there will be more discussion and
possible action on this at the convention.
The idea of a single NARFE dues is not
dead. My Chapter voted overwhelmingly
for the dues referendum, as did many
chapters in Texas. Time will tell what
becomes of this.
Enjoy the New Year, because it will
be gone before we know it.
NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE REPORT
BY DR. JOHN THOMAS, NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE
As we begin a New Year, Janice and I
want to wish you and your family a Happy,
Healthy and Prosperous
2010! I hope 2010 is
better than 2009. As
I look at last year, I’m
reminded that the U.S.
budget is far worse than
it was a year ago. We
are now looking at a
$12.4 trillion deficit.
That doesn’t bode well
for those of us depending on Congress to
provide all our retirement benefits. We
are not the problem. Since our Trust Fund
(CSRSDT) had a balance that would cover
all our annuities and other benefits until
we were gone. That was before Congress
“borrowed” the funds in our Trust Fund
and left a pile of IOU’s. I hope you have
followed my articles in this publication
over the past 8 months.
I hope each of you recognize that
Congress has provided every one of the
retirement benefits we as federal retirees
and survivors enjoy today. That also
means they (Congress) can eliminate
every one of them “with the vote and
stroke of a pen”. There is no guarantee. It
is absolutely essential that each of us must
be aware of what’s happening in D.C. If
Congress decides to reduce or eliminate
some or all of our benefits, they will do
it quickly. They don’t want to allow time
for organized opposition.
The Texas Federation has worked hard
to organize our efforts here in Texas (see
www.txnarfe.org; National Legislation).
We are organized to contact our
representatives and both senators; quickly
and effectively. The only congressmen
you can influence are your rep and both
senators. These are the 3 members of
Congress that you have a say (vote) in
how long they keep their jobs. I hope you
and your chapter members have developed
that relationship with your congressional
delegation (1 rep and 2 senators) so that
they treasure your opinions.
The four Texas Federation Area Vice
Presidents, your District Representative
and I have worked to identify one of our
NARFE members as the “Key Contact/
Liaison” with each of our 32 reps and
with each senator’s District Offices. Our
expectations are that this NARFE contact
will develop the relationship with his/her
rep and organize the NARFE influence in
that Congressional District. Our focus on
selecting contacts has been on the interest
and political activism of these NARFE
members. We also have emphasized the
importance of selecting a contact who is a
voter in the rep’s congressional district.
Please review the designated
“TFC Contact/Liaison” listed for your
representative (Table 1). If you have
suggestions, comments, questions or wish
to be more involved, please feel free to call
on your TFC contact. They all welcome
NARFE member support in the legislative
advocacy (a contact sport) with your voice
in Congress.
If we don’t get serious about our role
in protecting our retirement benefits, we
can lose them! Can you easily get along
without COLA’s, health coverage, spousal
benefits? We are vulnerable.
Our reports on the August “Grassroots
Advocacy Month” indicated that contacts
with all of our Texas reps was not totally
successful. We interacted with just over
half (17) of our reps. Is your representative
supporting our interests/needs? If not,
can you succeed in gaining that support
or replace him/her in November? If your
answer is “no” to both, I hope you can do
without some of your retirement benefits.
Page 2, Texas Federal Retiree, Jan/Feb 2010
EDITOR’S CORNER
Alzheimer’s Update
BY MARSHALL RICHARDS
BY FRANCES LUNA’S
As I get older, I might try eating more
foods with curry in them. I say this after
reading a report that says the number of
people with dementia
globally is estimated to
nearly double every 20
years. Much of the growth
will be fueled by longer
life spans and population
growth,
especially
in
developing nations. By
2010, an estimated 35.6
million people around the
world will be living with
dementia. The number is expected to hit 65.7
million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050.
Some of the causes of the disease are
believed to be genetic, while others are thought
to be preventable. Studies have shown that
physical exercise, the kind the keeps the heart
healthy, also keeps the brain healthy. Mental
stimulation can help, too. Our brains can be
made stronger through exercise. In the same
way physical exercise can delay many of the
effects of aging on the body, there’s some
evidence cognitive exercise can at least delay
the onset of Alzheimer’s.
A
combination
of
antioxidants,
supplements and curry may also help. Vitamins A, C, and E are antioxidants, which
prevent cell damage and are believed to slow
down diseases of aging. There are studies that
suggest antioxidants might prevent dementia. Fish oil supplements may also help. “Aging
brains show signs of inflammation, and fish
oil has anti-inflammatory properties,” said
Gary Small, director of the UCLA Center on
Aging.
Recent studies conducted in Singapore
show that those who ate curry once a week had
better memory scores.
Thank you so much for continuing to
donate towards much needed research on the
cause, diagnosis, treatment and prevention
of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Please send your contributions to me and do
not send them directly to the Chicago office
so that your chapter can be given credit
for donating. If you have any comments or
questions send me an email at franceal@juno.
com or call me at 281-342-5949. I’m looking
forward to a great 2010.
Happy New everyone! How does
our “new look” look? I haven’t seen the
layout as of the date of this writing and I’m
anxious to see what our new paper looks
like. I hope that it is as good as I think
that it will be and that we can have more
information on and about the chapters.
The news that I receive about the chapter is
usually in the form of Chapter Newsletters.
I do appreciate those of you that send me
your chapter newsletter. If your chapter
has a newsletter be sure to put me on
your mailing list. Emailed newsletters
are preferred (and I’m retired from the
US Postal Service) and if you have email
capabilities please send yours that way if
you are not already doing so. And if your
chapter does not have a newsletter, please
consider starting one. It’s easy and you
can get a start from the NARFE website.
A computer really makes the job easy and
you don’t have to a computer guru to start
a chapter newsletter.
I appreciate all of the photos that you
have been sending and I have to remind
some of you that the preferred format of
photos being emailed to me is “jpeg”. I’m
not sure what that format is but I know
that when I get a photo in that format, it is
easy to open the file and get it published in
the newspaper. Keep those photos coming
and don’t forget the caption. I want to get
as many photos in each issue as possible.
A plain background in the photo works the
best.
Elsewhere in this
issue is the District
meeting
schedule
and I hope that you
cut it out, stick it on
your fridge and make
plans to attend your
district meeting. And
don’t forget to bring
those pull tabs to your
district meeting so that your DR will have
something to take home and keep until
the state convention in Galveston in 2011.
One chapter here in east Texas is working
hard to become the next “Pull Tab”
Champs by upsetting the reining champ,
Chapter 1281 Permian Basin-Midland.
If you remember, Chapter 1281 brought
gazillion pull-tabs to the State Convention
in San Antonio. As you know the proceeds
from the sale of these pull-tabs goes to
the Ronald McDonald Houses (RMH) in
Texas and it helps to defray some of the
costs incurred of running a RMH. Save
them TABS!
Let me know hat you think of our new
look, and we will be making changes as
needed. The deadline for the next issue is
March 1, 2010.
REPORT FROM DR5
BY KEN BAKER
A check to the Alzheimer’s Association for $1800.00 was presented to Dewey
LaRochelle by Norma Norton of Chapter 2329 at the chapter’s recent Christmas party.
Pictured left to right are Marge Secord, DR 2, Foster Secord Chapter 2329 President,
Chapter 2329’s Alzheimer’s Chair Norma Norton, NEAVP Dewey LaRochelle and
Burkburnett Mayor and NARFE Member Carl Law.
Texas Federation of Chapters
2010 District Convention
Schedule
Date
City
South Area
Host Chapter
District
Apr 12
McAllen
1441
13
Echo Hotel & Conf. Cntr., 1903 S. Closner Blvd., Edinburg, TX
Apr 13
Corpus Christi
91
U & I Restaurant, 309 S Water Street, Corpus Christi
14
Apr 14 Boerne
778
12
St Peter’s Catholic Church (Mtg hall) 119 W Kronkosky St., Boerne, TX
Apr 15
Fredericksburg
2111
15
Memorial Presbyterian Church, 607 N Milam, Fredericksburg, TX
Apr 13
Southeast Area
Waco
229
George’s Restaurant, 1925 Speight Ave., Waco, TX
6
Apr 14
Bellville
1430
Senior Activity Center, 200 Briar Ridge Drive, Bellville, TX
7
Apr 15
8
Houston
1321
Classic Cafe, 2511 NASA Rd 1, Seabrook, TX
Apr 16
Livingston
1772
5
The Texas Pepper Restaurant, 930Hwy 59 North Loop, Livingston, TX
Northeast Area
Apr 19
Fort Worth
30
2
Broadway Baptist Church, 305 W Broadway Ave., Ft Worth, TX
Apr 20
Dallas
122
3
Spring Creek BBQ, 2827 W. Wheatland Rd. (exit # 465 I-20) Dallas, TX
Apr 21
N Dallas
1139
4
Highland Park Cafeteria, 1200 North Buckner Blvd., Dallas, TX
Apr 22
Paris
654
1
Calvary United Methodist Church, 31st St & Lamar Ave, Paris, TX
West Area
Apr 21
El Paso
1473
Furr’s Cafeteria, Sunrise Cntr, 8528 Dyer St, El Paso, TX
10
Apr 22 Brownwood
274
Prima Pasta restaurant, 210 Early Bird Blvd., Early, TX
9
Apr 23
Amarillo
1248
11
Clairmont Retirement Facility, 4707 S Bell St., Amarillo, TX
As the year 2009 has rapidly came
to a close, I believe it has been a busy
year for NARFE members. The year was
started with our district meetings. We
had a very good meeting in District 5,
hosted by Toledo Bend Chapter #1764. Based in Center, Texas, the meeting was
held in Nacogdoches with the hope of
attracting chapter members who reside
in that area. Our attendance was good
with all chapters in District 5 represented. District meetings are important to promote
fellowship with other chapters and to
exchange ideas. Many of our members
do not attend the State Convention, so
this allows them to meet state officers
and gain valuable information and to ask
questions.
In April, we had an excellent State
Convention in San Antonio. We were very
fortunate to have our National President,
Margaret L. Baptiste, as the featured
speaker. She is a very strong and down
to earth person who works diligently for
NARFE.
In September, the Region VI Seminar
under the direction of the Regional VI
Vice President, Jerry Hatfield, was held
in Tyler. Joseph A. Beaudoin, NARFE
National Vice President, was in attendance
providing us with a lot of good information
about what NARFE has accomplished
and what future goals are. We were able
to visit with NARFE members from
Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas and
to learn what they are doing to promote
NARFE in their area. Our thanks to Rose
City Chapter #344 and Longview Chapter
#801 for hosting an excellent seminar.
I would like to urge all NARFE
members to do three things:
l. To recruit your spouse. They can
become a very important member of your
chapter, even serving as officers. Pauline
Belser, a former TFC President and current
TFC Secretary, is a spouse. Margaret
Baptiste, NARFE National President, was
a spouse. The spouse has much to gain
from the fruits of our efforts, and they
need to be on board to help us now.
2. Sign up for dues withholding. Dues
withholding will insure you will not be
delinquent or dropped for non payment
of dues. It is also cheaper, and requires
no effort on your part to mail in yearly
dues. The TFC is offering an incentive for
signing up through your chapter. You will
receive $20.00 from the State Treasurer
and your Chapter will receive $5.00 just
for signing up. New members will receive
the same incentive.
3. The TFC started a campaign in
January to collect pull tabs from aluminum
cans. At the State Convention 400 pounds
had been received, with proceeds going
to the Ronald McDonald House in Fort
Worth. In 2011, the proceeds will go to the
Ronald McDonald House in Dallas. I hope
all chapters in the state will participate in
this worth while project.
I encourage each of you to continue
working for NARFE. We have
accomplished much, but we need to stay
alert to problems facing us in the future.
NEW MEMBER
RECRUITMENT
THIRD QUARTER 2009
The November issue of Recruiter’s
Journal published by NARFE each
quarter shows that Texas members
recruited a total of sixty-four new
members. Leading again with nineteen
new members is Phil Kraus from S W
Houston Chapter 1375. Stan Sartain
from Permian Basin-Midland Chapter
1281 recruited four new members.
Bernita Merritt from Waco Chapter 229
and Betty Wiegman from Toledo BendCenter Chapter 1764 each recruited three
new members. Recruiting two members
each were Robert Adams from Ft Worth
Chapter 30, John Creswell from New
Braunfels Chapter 672 and Patricia
Padilla from San Antonio NW Chapter
1320. And there were twenty-nine
members that recruited one new member.
They are Venicia Schermbeck and Pete
Wersal both from Ft Worth Chapter 30,
Don Crossland Lubbock Chapter 244,
John Nash Galveston County Chapter
298, Carlynn Beck Texarkana Chapter
300, John Thomas Bryan-College
Station Chapter 607, Joana Alexander
and Ester Faecher
Boerne Chapter
778, Linda Richards Longview Chapter
801, Wilbur Doehring Greater North
Houston Chapter 828, Carol Carpenter
New Boston Chapter 862, Margie
Hanlon Golden Triangle Chapter 864,
Jo Ellen Allen and Ruth McGowan Red
Bud-Dallas Chapter 981, Lura Pyle
Arlington Chapter 1201, Harvey Blowe
and John Leathers Permian BasinMidland Chapter 1281, Shirley Roeder
San Antonio NW Chapter 1320, Mark
Greer and Denny Hay SW Houston
Chapter 1375, Don Fulton Williamson
County-Georgetown Chapter 1410,
Mary Bailey and Hiram T Melton
Toledo Bend-Center Chapter 1764,
Jesusita Nunez El Paso East Chapter
1819, Jo Ann Krauskopf Fredericksburg
Chapter 2111, Roscoe Lynn, Armando
Mares and Gustavo San Miguel all from
Humble Chapter 2308.
Thanks to all that are listed here
and also a big thanks to those that have
helped to retain one of our current
members.
Jan/Feb 2010, Texas Federal Retiree, Page 3
State Legislative Report
BY FRANCES INGRAM GRIMES
Writing as 2009 draws to a close, the
Democrat and Republican Candidates
have until January 4, 2010 to file for
office. It looks like all the big ones have
already filed. Those
running
for
statewide election
are listed below.
GOVERNOR
Bill
White
(D) most recently
served as Mayor
of Houston. He is
an Ex-Deputy US
Energy Secretary, an Attorney and ExCongressional Aide.
Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) US
Senator,Ex-State Treasurer, Ex-State
Representative and Attorney.
Rick Perry (R). Governor of Texas for
10 years to date, and Rancher.
This should be the most competitive
race for Texans since the race between
Bush and Richards in 1994. Voters win
when both parties compete hard for their
support.
Others running for governor are:
Republicans Larry Kilgore, Bill Lawrence,
Debra
Medina;
Democrats
Felix
Alvarado, Farouk Shami; Libertarians Jeff
Daiell, Kenneth Griffin, Steve Nichole;
Independents Steve Nichols, Fran
Cavanaugh, Les Sanderfer.
LIEUTENTANT GOVERNOR
Republicans: David Dewhurst and
Greg Abbott
Democrats: Ronnie Earle and Marc
Katz
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Ted Cruz (R); Barbara Ann Radnofsky
(D); Barbara Cooper (L) and Jon Roland
(L).
COMPTROLLER
Nick Lampson (D) and Susan Combs
(R)
STATE LAND COMMISSIONER
Bill Burton (D) and Jerry Patterson
(R)
STATE
AGRICULTURE
COMMISSIONER
Kinky Friedman (D), Hank Gilbert
(D) and Todd Staples (R)
STATE RAILROAD COMMISSION
Victor Carrillo (R) and Jeff Weems
(D).
STATE SENATE AND HOUSE RACES
All candidates should be covered by
your local news media in the area they are
running for office.
Important dates to remember:
Primaries March 2, 2010; Run-Offs April
13, 2010; Filing deadline for Independents
and Write-in Candidates Aug 2010.
All races are in the “WARM UP”
phase; candidates have time to hone ideas,
approaches and marketing themselves.
We should all read up and stay alert to the
Candidates for the competitive race we
have ahead and get out and VOTE!
FEDERATION SERVICE OFFICER REPORT
BY CHUCK DECHERT
I recently had a melanoma removed
from my right ear. The surgery was
extensive because I didn’t have area timely
checked. Two days after the surgery, I
also had plastic surgery on my ear, which
included a skin graft from my thigh. The
surgeries and treatment were successful,
but most of the pain and recovery could
have been avoided with early detection.
So I’d like to share some “tidbits” with
you from an article on “Skin care A B
C’s”
Skin cancer is the most common of
all cancer types with more than 1 million
diagnoses in the United States each year,
according to the American Cancer Society.
Most skin cancers are caused by too much
exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the
sun and manmade sources, such as tanning
beds.
The good news is that nearly all skin
cancers can be prevented and most can be
treated successfully if detected early, even
melanoma, the most serious type. Ask
your doctor to take a look at a mole if you
notice any of these warning signs:
ASYMMETRY – One half of the
mole does not match the other half.
BORDER IRREGULARITY – The
edges of the mole are irregular, ragged,
blurred or notched.
COLOR – The color over the mole
is not the same all over. There may be
shades of tan, brown or black.
DIAMETER – The mole is larger
than one quarter inch – about the size of
a pencil eraser; although doctors are now
finding more melanomas that are smaller.
Avoid excessive exposure to UV rays
from sunlight or tanning beds. When sun
exposure is likely, wear a shirt, sunscreen,
sunglasses and hat. Be aware that if you
can se light through a fabric, UV can
get through too. A typical light T-short
worn in the summer usually protects you
less than sunscreen with a sun protection
factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. As part of
a routine cancer related checkup, your
doctor should check your skin carefully.
Learn more about skin cancer prevention
and early detection from the American
Cancer Society at www.cancer.org
And here is this. Do you know someone
who passed on and left you savings bonds?
Go online to www.treasurydirect.gov and
under the “Individuals: What You Can
Do” column, use the treasury hunt tool
to plug in the bondholders SSN. Only
bonds issued from 1974 to the present
will show up. For earlier bonds, write
to “Bureau of the Public Debt, P O Box
7012, Parkersburg, WV 26106”. Include
names, addresses and approximate issue
date. If the bond records are found, the
Bureau will let you know how to redeem
them.
NARFE “ALIVE OR DEAD”
BY WTAVP DON CROSSLAND
One of the hardest things for an
elected officer in NARFE to do is close
a chapter. Especially when a chapter has
a stable membership between 20 and 300
members. It is a sad commentary on the
membership when three to five members
cannot be convinced to be officers in the
chapter. The chapters are the lifeblood of
NARFE. Chapters are the place where
things are done. All charitable work
comes from the chapter membership. Only
ten percent of the NARFE membership
attends chapter meetings. Why is it that
NARFE members do not want to support
the only organization that is dedicated
to protecting the earned benefits of the
federal worker and retiree?
NARFE is dying in West Texas. When
I first became a member in NARFE, we
had about 17 chapters in the West Texas
Area. Since then, seven chapters have
closed and merged with other chapters
that are as close as twenty miles and as
far away as fifty miles away. We keep the
members but lose their attendance. One of
the primary reasons we lose a chapter, is
due to lack of members who do not want
to be an officer, thus forcing the previous
officer to stay on. Then in a short few years
the member gets tired of being president
or secretary and quits or dies, which is the
usual case. The chapter is lost because no
one is trained to do the job and the chapter
folds.
Some of the excuses I’ve heard are:
I have a doctor’s appointment during the
meeting, I am not feeling well, It’s cold
outside, I think it might rain, it goes on
and on. They certainly can schedule the
doctor’s appointment at another time
because they only meet once a month.
They could put on an extra sweater to keep
warm. They could use an umbrella for the
rain. They could form driving pools with
other members.
NARFE is so important to the federal
employee and the retiree. If NARFE did
not lobby your congressman to keep what
you have earned, you probably would not
have the health care you use so much now.
NARFE has saved so many things for the
membership
That to list them all would be a great
undertaking. You can see all that info on
the NARFE web site at NARFE.org.
NARFE is dying in West Texas. You
better try to save its life by attending a
chapter meeting and help the officers help
you.
HAVE A “PULLING”
GOOD TIME
PUBLIC RELATIONS MESSAGE
BY MARGE SECORD, PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
OUR PULL TAB PROGRAM IS
ALIVE AND WELL: I made a “Get
Acquainted” visit to the Dallas Ronald
McDonald House. I explained about our
program and their House had been chosen
to receive the pull tabs until our convention
in April 2011. They were so excited. I
delivered 154 pull tabs, from Chapter 733
Vernon, Chapter 1342 Comanche Peak
and Chapter 2329 Burkburnett. Pictures
with the tabs are: (from left) kneeling
RMH staffers Anna Au, Sarah Leverett
and Cathy Sheehy. Standing (from left)
PR Officer Marge Secord, Dallas RMH
Marketing Coordinator Danna Flemons
and Boomtown Chapter President Foster
Secord.
Here is the plan I have worked out: I will
have a roster with every chapter in Texas
listed. I will log in the weight collected at
the District Conventions in 2010. At the
State Convention I will log in the amount
turned in by each chapter. The combined
total will determine which chapter
has contributed the most. I CANNOT
STRESS ENOUGH – BE SURE YOUR
CHAPTER NUMBER AND WEIGHT
IS ON EACH CONTAINER. After all
the District Conventions I will arrange to
meet with the Area Vice President. I will
record how many pounds each chapter in
their district contributed and have them
verify the entries. I will then deliver the
tabs to the Dallas Ronald McDonald
House. There will be four deliveries made.
Hopefully it will be possible for the AVP
or their representative to accompany me
to the Dallas House at the time I pick them
up.
After the District Conventions are
over – all chapters will begin saving for the
State Convention in Galveston. I realize
when a person flies they are not able to
carry pull tabs with
them SO take them
to a recycling plant
get a receipt that
shows the weight
and receive a check.
Forward this to me
and I will record
it and deposit the
money in a separate account so the check
will be presented at the State Convention.
I WOULD NOT LIKE THE
CHAPTERS TO TAKE THEM TO
ANOTHER HOUSE BECAUSE THAT
DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF PICKING
A HOUSE TO RECEIVE THE PULL
TABS.
WE BUILT UP A LOT OF
COMPETITION LAST CONVENTION
AND I EXPECT IT WILL BE
EVEN GREATER AT THE NEXT
CONVENTION.
WE WILL HAVE ENOUGH
ADVANCE NOTICE THAT THE
DALLAS HOUSE WILL TRY TO GET
MEDIA COVERAGE.
NARFE CAN RECEIVE MORE
PUBLICITY: The small toiletries you get
at hotels can be used at the McDonald
Houses. These can be delivered to the
nearest House in the name of NARFE. If
possible get a picture and get it in the local
newspaper. Just another way of advertising
NARFE. If you have any questions or
problems call me at 940-569-2585 or
email me: fosmar@suddenlink.net
Have a “Pulling” Good Time, Marge
RETIREES COLLECT PULL TABS
FOR RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
Hazel Milliken and Paul DuCoin, longtime members and great supporters of the
National Active and Retired Employees Association Chapter 1772 of Livingston, have
been working hard to collect pull tabs from aluminum cans.
The pull-tab collection drive is a statewide NARFE project to help support the
Ronald McDonald Houses in Texas.
Ken Baker, TFC district representative of district 5, met with the Livingston chapter
and is helping with the collection in his area.
Shown from left are Betty Miller, Horace Miller, Ken Baker, Patsy DuCoin and Paul
DuCoin with the 18 gallons they have collected so far.
Page 4, Texas Federal Retiree, Jan/Feb 2010
CHAPTERS IN THE NEWS
“Kimberli Denton, Miss Hallsville 2009, a senior and a member of the choir at
Hallsville High School, provided a selection of Christmas music at Longview’s Chapter
801 December meeting.”
Gerald Fleharty received a Meritorious Service Award for his twelve years as
President of Northeast El Paso NARFE Chapter 1473. TFC President, Rodney Smith,
presented the award at the Chapter’s Christmas luncheon on December 7, 2009.
Dewey LaRochelle, NEAVP is pictured presenting a Certificate of Appreciation from
the Texas Federation of Chapters, NARFE, to Linda Jackson. Linda is the Burkburnett
Senior Activity Director.
Chapter 2329 Treasurer Marcy Fragomelli (right) presents a check for $500.00 to
Becky Trammell, Senior Activities Board Member for “Meals on Wheels” as Dewey
LaRochelle looks on.
Also Rod installed the new officers: Jeanene Smith, 2nd Vice President; Thalia
Howard, Secretary; Billie Rose McConnell, Treasurer; starting with Rod on the far left.
Installation of Officers, Chapter 273, San Angelo, TX: At
their meeting on Saturday, December 4, 2009 Don Crossland,
West Texas Area VP, installed the following officers L to R: Frieda
Stelling, 2nd VP/Newsletter Editor; Ray Favre, 1st VP/Secretary;
Joan Routt, President; and Henrietta Horton, Treasurer.
Pictured with Pat Padilla DR 12 is Jesse Jack Hereford, San Antonio Regional
Director and State Outreach Director for Senator Kaye Bailey Hutchison
The Fannin County Chapter #1345 honored Mr. George James at the chapter’s
October meeting. Mr. James is the first member of the chapter to receive the newly
established “Distinguished Member” Award. Making the presentation was Chet Hilyer,
District 1 Representative, and Joyce Smith, Chapter 1345 president. Pictured left to right:
Mrs. Joyce Smith, President, #1345, Mr. George James recipient and Mr. Chet Hilyer,
District 1 Representative.
Jan/Feb 2010, Texas Federal Retiree, Page 5
TEXAS FEDERAL RETIREE
Ralph Nelson, Legislative Chair of Ellis/Navarro Counties Chapter 1191 administered
the oath of office to the officers for 2010 of Chapter 1191 at their December meeting that
was held in Ennis. Pictured left to right are Ralph Nelson, President Bobby Montgomery,
1st Vice President Kenneth Nedderman, 2nd Vice President Vanda Jacinto, Secretary
Shirley Armon and Treasurer Bob Cornel.
Shirley Armon, Secretary of Chapter 1191, brought a quilt that was made by
volunteers with the Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOV). The quilt will be awarded to our
war wounded through the Military and Veteran Medical Centers. The squares in the quilt
were inscribed with messages and signatures at the chapter’s November meeting that
was held in Corsicana. The quilts are tangible reminders that their wartime services and
sacrifices and valor are not forgotten. Pictured with Shirley is Chapter President Bobby
Montgomery.
Pictured left to right are the new officers for Lake Texoma Chapter 1290. Jean
Woodley, Member at Large; Winnie Mayes, Assistant Treasurer; Joanne Harrell,
Treasurer; Diane Geer, Secretary; Carol Hottel, 2nd Vice President; R.C. Fry, 1st Vice
President; and Dick Folshe, President.
Comanche Peak – Granbury Chapter 1342 received a certificate from the National
office recognizing their chapter on their 35th year anniversary. Pictured is Marge
Secord, District 2 Representative presenting the certificate to Chapter President Philip
Delucchi.
NOTICE TO ALL
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS/SECRETARIES
We need your help. The Texas Federation is trying to insure that the right zip
code is assigned to the correct chapter. This is important because when someone
new joins NARFE, and they do not request to join a specific chapter, NARFE
National Office assigns them to a chapter according to their zip code. There may
be a closer chapter to their home but, National does not know that due to the way
zip codes are drawn by the US Postal Service and the zip codes that are currently
assigned to the chapters. This is a bigger problem in the larger cities than in the
rural areas of our state. What I need from each chapter is the address of your
chapter’s meeting place, the street name, number and the city. Also be sure to
include your chapter number. Send them to Executive Vice President, Marshall L
Richards, 106 E Cedar St., Hallsville, TX 75650-6134, or email pappysdad@att.
net. If you have Internet access, I prefer to receive the info via email.
“Pictured left to right are Ken Baker, DR 2, Linda Richards, Treasurer, Marshall
Richards, Secretary,and Euneva Taylor, President of Longview Chapter 801. Ken Baker
administered the oath of office to these officers at the December meeting.”
Chapter 1594 Veterans Celebration
TOLL
FREE NUMBER
“To contact your US Senators or US
Representative’s office in Washington
DC, call toll free
0044.
1-866-220-
When the switchboard
operator answers, tell them which
senator or representative you wish to
speak to and they will connect you to
that office.”
Fair Avenue Chapter 1594, San Antonio recently honored the veterans of the chapter. Pictured left to right bottom row: Chester
Pfiester, Ed Perez, Mary Bowen, Chester Boenig, David Cuellar, Calvin Curtis and Lawrence Spencer. Standing on the back row
(L to R) are Robert Koenig, Abel Hernandez, Mary Teague, Guadalupe Flores, Epi Alvarado, Arthur Rodriguez, Eugene Kubicek,
Earl Harris, George Gray and Joe Glawson.
Page 6, Texas Federal Retiree, Jan/Feb 2010
Fort Worth Chapter 30 – President Peter Wersal
reminds all members that a new membership directory
is available by mail. Send your request to Peter Wersal
with one dollar to cover the cost of postage.
Waco Chapter 229 – The Chapter Publicity
Chair, Gerald Hatfield finally got the Chapter’s news
items and announcements in the local paper after many
unsuccessful attempts. As a result of the notice being
published in the paper seven federal retirees expressed
interest in NARFE and four of those joined.
San Angelo Chapter 273 – Chapter President
Joan Routt reminds the members of the upcoming
District meeting in Brownwood on April 22, 2010 and encourages them to make plans
to attend. Newsletter Editor Frieda Stelling reminds members of the ongoing collection
of “pull-tabs” and that this project is even more rewarding when the pull-tabs go to help
someone from our town.
New Braunfels Chapter 672 - New officers recently installed by South Area VP
Fran Hiner are John Creswell President, Ruby Deininger 1stVP, Tom Miller2ndVP,
Richard Valdez, Secretary and Walter Penk, Treasurer. The chapter’s newsletter “Wurst
Newsletter” is on the web at www.narfe.org/chapter672.
San Antonio-Northwest Chapter 1320 – The chapter’s new incentive for members to
attend the meetings could earn some lucky member up to $200.00. For more information
on this, and more of what is happening in the chapter, attend the next meeting. You can
view the chapter’s newsletter on the web at www.narfe.org/chapter1320
SW Houston Chapter 1375 – The new Chapter officers were recently installed by
District 7 Representative David Doss. They are; Phil Kraus President, Pat Shuetz 1st Vice
President, Rudy Carr 2nd Vice President and Legislative Chair, Betty Kraus Secretary
and Michael Greenspan Treasurer and serving as Program Chair is Bobbie Stevens. The
chapter is tied for 9th in the nation in the membership contest in the medium chapter
category.
City of Palms-McAllen Chapter 1441 - Will be the host chapter for the District 13
meeting that will be held in April in Edinburg.
Boomtown-Burkburnett Chapter 2329 – The Christmas Party that was held jointly
with Senior Club of Burkburnett and the Senior Activity Center was a huge success. 90
people attended and a check for $500.00 was presented to a representative of “Meals on
Wheels” and a check from the chapter to the Alzheimer’s Association for $1800.00 was
presented to NEAVP LaRochelle. Also over 200 new toys were collected and given to
the Burkburnett Volunteer Fire Department for their “Operation Santa Claus” This is a
very busy Chapter.
Greater Houston Council of Chapters- For information on the council visit their
website at www.narfehouston.org
Dallas Metroplex Council of Chapters (DMCC)- For information on the DMCC
visit their website at www.dfwnarfe.net
Editor’s Note To Chapter Presidents/Newsletter Editors. Please continue to send
your newsletter to me at my address, 106 E Cedar Street, Hallsville, TX 75650-6134 or
email at Pappysdad@ATT.Net. Thank you. Marshall
DEADLINE CHANGE
Deadline For Input of the
Next TFR is March 1, 2010
TFR WEBSITE: www.txnarfe.org
I have been informed that our Outstanding Region
VI Vice President, Jerry D. Hatfield, will not seek
another term as NARFE’s Region VI Leader. His
Expertise and Leadership will certainly be missed.
Because Jerry is not running for another term, I am
announcing my candidacy for the position of Region
VI Vice President for the two year term which begins
November 2010.
BACKGROUND:
I was Born in North Dakota in 1938. I received a
Bachelors Degree from the University of North
Dakota in 1961 and in 1963 a Masters of Science Degree from Oregon State
University. I began my Federal career in Texas in 1967. Upon my retirement
from the Department of The Interior in 1994 following 27 years as a Federal Law
Enforcement Officer, we moved to Tyler. Shortly thereafter, Elaine, my wife of
over 50 years, and I joined NARFE Chapter 0344.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• I have served my Home Chapter, The Rose City Chapter 0344 as
Legislative Chair, Vice President and President.
• In 1999 TFC President Hall Martin appointed me to the position of TFC
National Legislative Representative. I served in that capacity for two
years.
• Elected to and served NARFE as the District 2 Representative for two
terms serving the five Chapters of District 2 in East Texas
• In 2001, I was Honored as the recipient of the Noel Patterson Award,
which is awarded to the Outstanding District Representative of the year
by the Texas Federation of Chapters.
• Also in 2001, I was elected the Southeast Area Vice President. I served
for two terms helping the 27 NARFE Chapters in Southeast Texas.
• In 2004, NARFE National President Charles Fallis selected me to serve as
the Chairman of the Credentials Committee for the 28th NARFE National
Convention in Reno.
• In 2005, I was elected the Executive Vice President of the Texas
Federation. I served NARFE Members of Texas throughout the two year
term.
• In 2005, NARFE National President Charles Fallis selected me to
Chair the National Bylaws Review Committee which consisted of
representatives from all 10 NARFE Regions of the United States. The
Committee worked throughout the year on National Bylaws issues. The
final report of the Committee was published in the NARFE Magazine in
January 2006.
• At the 54th Convention of the Texas Federation of Chapters in April
2007, I was elected President of the Texas Federation of Chapters. As
your President I had the distinct Honor and Privilege to serve all Texas
NARFE Members for the two years ending in June 2009.
Now I seek your support again. I am requesting your vote at the September
National Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan to allow me to serve you and
all NARFE Members throughout Region VI (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma,
Panama and Texas) as your next Vice President.
Thank you.
Jerome S. Smith, 5900 Raleigh Dr. Tyler, Texas 75703
(903) 534 5849 E-mail: Retiredjer@aol.com
Texas NARFE Chapters
NO#
CHAPTER/CITY
AREA DIST
30
91
122
228
229
244
246
272
273
274
298
300
344
349
509
520
522
523
559
586
607
654
672
713
726
733
778
801
828
862
864
941
981
1139
1184
1191
1201
1222
1248
1273
1281
1290
1302
1319
1320
1321
1334
1338
1342
1345
1349
1350
1364
1375
1407
1410
1415
1425
1430
1441
1454
1460
1473
1495
1544
1583
1591
1594
1764
1772
1819
2011
2030
2111
2308
2329
2354
2355
FORT WORTH
CORPUS CHRISTI
DALLAS
BLUEBONNET-AUSTIN
WACO
LUBBOCK
WICHITA FALLS
ABLILENE
SAN ANGELO
BROWNWOOD
GALVESTON COUNTY
TEXARKANA
ROSE CITY-TYLER
HILL COUNTRY-KERRVILLE
WEATHERFORD
MID-VALLEY-HARLINGEN
BROWNSVILLE
GATEWAY-LAREDO
McKINNEY
TEMPLE
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION
PARIS
NEW BRAUNFELS
AMY STUBBLEFIELD-LUFKIN
BRENHAM
TRI COUNTY-VERNON
BOERNE
LONGVIEW
GREATER NORTH HOUSTON
NEW BOSTON
GOLDEN TRIANGLE
GULF FREEWAY-HOUSTON
RED BUD-DALLAS
N. DALLAS
BAY CITY
BLUEBONNET-ELLIS -NAVARRO COUNTY
ARLINGTON
LIVE OAK-DALLAS
PALO DURO-AMARILLO
EPPARD-RICHARDSON
PERMIAN BASIN-MIDLAND
LAKE TEXOMA-SHERMAN
BOSQUE/HILL CNTS-CLIFTON
SILSBEE-JASPER
SAN ANTONIO-NORTHWEST
NASA-HOUSTON
TRI-COUNTY-FAIRFIELD
WILSON CNTY-FLORESVILLE
COMANCHE PEAK -GRANBURY
FANNIN COUNTY-BONHAM
HOUSTON-NE
MONTGOMERY COUNTY -CONROE
BIG BEND-MARFA
S W HOUSTON
N E SAN ANTONIO
WILLIAMSON COUNTY GEORGETOWN
AUSTIN-CAPITAL
HIGHLAND LAKES -KINGSLAND
AUSTIN COUNTY-BELLVILLE
CITY OF PALMS-McALLEN
GARLAND
LAKESIDE-ORANGE GROVE
N E EL PASO
W EL PASO
LA AMISTAD-WESLACO
N E TARRANT COUNTY
BEEVILLE
FAIR AVENUE-SAN ANTONIO
TOLEDO BEND-CENTER
LIVINGSTON
EL PASO-EAST
EL PASO-POSTAL
FORT BEND COUNTY -ROSENBERG
FREDERICKSBURG
HUMBLE
BOOMTOWN-BURKBURNETT
VICTORIA CROSSROADS
SEASIDE-PORTLAND
NE
SO
NE
SO
SE
WE
NE
WE
WE
WE
SE
NE
SE
SO
NE
SO
SO
SO
NE
SE
SE
NE
SO
SE
SE
NE
SO
SE
SE
NE
SE
SE
NE
NE
SE
NE
NE
NE
WE
NE
W
NE
SE
SE
SO
SE
SE
SO
NE
NE
SE
SE
WE
SE
SO
SO
SO
SO
SE
SO
NE
SO
WE
WE
SO
NE
SO
SO
SE
SE
WE
WE
SE
SO
SE
NE
S
S
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
2
14
3
15
6
11
2
9
9
9
8
1
5
15
2
13
13
13
4
6
6
1
12
5
6
2
12
5
7
1
8
8
4
4
7
3
3
4
11
4
11
1
6
5
12
8
6
12
2
1
8
7
11
7
12
15
15
15
7
13
4
14
10
10
13
3
14
12
5
5
10
10
7
15
8
2
14
14
NOTICE
You are reminded to send all changes of address
to the National Office at 606 N. Washington Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314-1814. The TFR mailing list
is furnished by them. That list is furnished on
a computer disc that lists all members, so you
could be getting more than one copy of the TFR.
“Please note that the report of member deaths and any other info
meant for the secretary are sent to the Federation Secretary, Pauline
Belser. Her email address is PollyB1212@sbcglobal.net. This
is a new email address for her. Contact information for Pauline
and all Federation Officers and Appointees are listed on Page 8”
TEXAS SERVICE CENTERS
NARFE Volunteers helping all Federal Retirees
OPM Toll Free 1-888-767-6738
Web Sites: CSRS/FERS www.opm.gov
SSA www.ssa.gov
San Antonio Area: NARFE Retirement Service Center, Bldg. 1000-2000,
Bong Ave. Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX 78236-5109
We will return your calls ASAP. Appointments Wednesday Only 9am-2pm
(210) 671-1464 or (210) 671-1465
Corpus Christi Area: NARFE Service Center,
3805 Bushwood Lane, Corpus Christi, TX
For Appointments Call (361) 852-6658
Waco Area: Patricia Schuppe (254) 235-0540, Call for an Appointment
Wichita Falls Area: NARFE Service Center
(940) 851-8483 for Appointment
Page 7, Texas Federal Retiree, Jan/Feb 2010
In Memoriam
“Ronald T (Ron) Randall, former Chaplain of the Texas Federation of
Chapters and a member of Lubbock Chapter 244, passed away on December
31, 2009, Ron served as our Chaplin for six years and will be missed by his
NARFE family.”
CHAPTER 30 – FORT WORTH
Virginia Robinson – Date Unknown
CHAPTER 1139 – NORTH DALLAS
J. Welton Grundy - September 12, 2009
Albert J. Roach - April 19, 2009
Philip Raymond Cramer – September 21, 2009
Joe R. Kemble – July 9, 2009
Juanita Hine – November 8, 2009
Gwendolyn Bennett – July 10, 2009
Carl N. Wilson – November 24, 2009
Grace L. Shaw – September 17, 2009
Catherine Hejl – November 2009
Doris L. Jones – October 9, 2009
Olive R. Parsons – October 17, 2009
CHAPTER 1191 – BLUBONNET-ELLIS-NAVARRO COUNTIES
Edward Thomas Mazurek – September 14, 2009
Frank Ivers – October 18, 2009
Mary Jo Zabcik – November 5, 2009
Marjorie J. McLaury – October 18, 2009
Ruth Pearson – October 31, 2009
Marvin A. Wheat – October 31, 2009
CHAPTER 1201 – ARLINGTON
Betty J. Lechtenberg – September 25, 2009
Kathryn Parker – December 7, 2009
C. A. Neubauer- November 18, 2009
CHAPTER 91 – SPARKLING CITY BY THE SEA –
CORPUS CHRISTI
Mary R. Coco – November 7, 2009
Jorge A. Cordova – November 26, 2009
James M. Oakes – Date Unknown
CHAPTER 229 - WACO
Mildred O. Andrews – May 7, 2009
CHAPTER 1248 – AMARILLO PALO DURO
Antonio Salazar Jr – September 29, 2009
CHAPTER 1273 – EPPARD-RICHARDSON
John S. Kolich – July 17, 2009
CHAPTER 1290 – LAKE TEXOMA – SHERMAN
Katherine Haythorne – October 9, 2009
Claude E. Hopkins – October 27, 2009
CHAPTER 1319 – SILSBEE-JASPER
Minnie Phillips _ December 13, 2009
CHAPTER 244- LUBBOCK
Dollie R. Watts – Date Unknown
CHAPTER 1320 – NW SAN ANTONIO
Harmon D. Jeffus – March 2, 2009
Douglas L. Sims – October 14, 2009
Bernard Button – Date Unknown
John J. Fjeld – December 14, 2009
Bobbi A. Greathouse – July 15, 2009
Ronald T. Randall – December 31, 2009
Walter G. Blum – December 28, 2009
CHAPTER 246 – WICHITA FALLS
Betty Forney – November 24, 2009
CHAPTER 1321 – NASA - HOUSTON
Nancy C. Whitecotton – Date Unknown
Oswald Bowling – December 3, 2009
John E. Dornbach – Date Unknown
CHAPTER 273 – SAN ANGELO
Clydia J. Prosise – November 26, 2009
CHAPTER 1345 – FANNIN COUNTY – BONHAM
Darlene G. Hancock – November 8, 2009
James S. Denton – November 11, 2009
CHAPTER 298 – GALVESTON
Grace A. Hackney – January 20, 2009
Pauline D. Macaluso – May 2009
Hope H. Lopez – September 13, 2009
CHAPTER 1415 – AUSTIN CAPITAL
Alice B. Jordan – Date Unknown
May Windle – October 2009
CHAPTER 1425 – HIGHLAND LAKES – KINGSLAND
John W. Arnold – November 28, 2009
Mary E. Shaw – November 3, 2009
Carolyn McClelland – December 12, 2009
Martha S. Hiatt – Date Unknown
CHAPTER 344 – ROSE CITY – TYLER
Arvalene Mills – August 2009
CHAPTER 654 – PARIS
Harold T. Roland – October 28, 2009
CHAPTER 713 – AMY STUBBLEFIELD-LUFKIN
Fred A. Howell – November 25, 2009
CHAPTER 801 – LONGVIEW
Buna Mae Boldebrook – December 2009
CHAPTER 828 – GREATER NORTH HOUSTON
Reno L. Kickler – September 1009
CHAPTER 1544 – La Amistad – Weslaco
Paul Eugene Thompson, Jr. – October 8, 2009
CHAPTER 1594 – FAIR AVE.
– SAN ANTONIO
Julius K. Haas, Jr., - December 23, 2009
CHAPTER 1819 – EL PASO EAST
William W. Childress – November 6, 2009
Chapter 2011 – EL PASO – POSTAL
Rosendo S. Terrazas – Date Unknown
Russell W. Avery – October 8, 2009
CHAPTER 2030 – FORT BEND COUNTY
Donald Adams – July 17, 2009
Marlene Y. Wright – November 11, 2009
Fletcher Morgan – September 3, 2009
CHAPTER 862 – NEW BOSTON
Corrie C. Aultman – October 6, 2009
Glenn Richards – November 13, 2009
Page 8, Texas Federal Retiree, Jan/Feb 2010
THE TEXAS FEDERAL RETIREE
Dedicated to the concerns of Federal Workers and Retirees and their survivors and supporting NARFE in the state of Texas.
Editor: Marshall L Richards - 106 E. Cedar Street, Hallsville, TX 75650, (903) 660-2784. email: pappysdad@att.net
TEXAS FEDERATION OF CHAPTERS EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESIDENT: Rodney Smith, 3413 Sands Ave, El Paso TX 79904, (915) 755-0110,
email: rjdpkm@aol.com
EXECUTIVE VP: Marshall Richards, 106 E Cedar St, Hallsville TX 75650, (903) 660-2784, email: pappysdad@att.net
NEAVP TX: Dewey LaRochelle, 1104 Carleton Dr, Richardson TX 75081-5913, (972) 238-8791, email: dllaroch@swbell.net
SEAVP TX: Jack Elrod, 2714 Pecan Dr, Temple TX 76502-2520, (254) 771-2407,
email: aggiejwe@aol.com
WAVP TX: Donald Crossland, 4920 12th St, Lubbock TX 79416-4612, (806) 799-6796,
email: mrc203@nts-online.net
SOAVP TX: Fran Hiner, 9211 Standing Creek Ln, San Antonio TX 78230-4040, (210) 380-8743, email: franhiner@sbcglobal.net
SECRETARY: Pauline Belser, 708 Dogwood Ln, Waxahachie TX 75165, (972) 937-7235,
email: pollyb1212@sbcglobal.net
TREASURER: Wilbur Doehring, PO Box 1293, Montgomery TX 77356-1293, (936) 449-5170, email: pdwd11843@aol.com
NOMIN. COM. CHAIR: Dr. Dan Galvan, PO Box 3834, Victoria TX 77903, (361) 485-9144, email: dg2010@aol.com
DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
DISTRICT 1: Chet Hilyer, 1371 19th St SE, Paris TX 75460-7703, (903) 785-3622
DISTRICT 2: Marge Secord, 1432 Cherokee Circle, Burkburnett TX 76354-2845, (940) 569-2585
DISTRICT 3: Geneva Howe, 6828 Windwillow Dr, Fort Worth TX 76137-2362
DISTRICT 4: Fred Wells, 3543 Briargrove Ln, Dallas TX 75287-6003, (972) 662-3062
DISTRICT 5: Ken Baker, 208 Darlington, Lufkin TX 75901-5905, (936) 632-1022
DISTRICT 6: Sue Swaner, 2016 Real Dr, Waco TX 76712-5434, (254) 666-1294
DISTRICT 7: David Doss, 13264 Blade Meadow Ln, Conroe TX 77302-3557, (936) 494-3575
DISTRICT 8: Mary Maclaine, 1713 Big Bend Ln, Deer Park TX 77536, (281) 930-7539
DISTRICT 9: Donald L. Ellis, 3158 Russell Ave, Abilene TX 79605-1836, (325) 672-3557
DISTRICT 10: Wm. “Bob” Cooper, 524 Pinar Del Rio Dr, El Paso TX 79932-1912, (915) 842-9443
DISTRICT 11: Richard Stailey, 3412 Stanolind Ave, Midland TX 79707-6652, (432) 694-0342
DISTRICT 12: Patricia Padilla, 4917 Ravenswood Dr #1739, San Antonio TX 78227, (210) 6824968
DISTRICT 13: Carl A. Boyd, RR1 Box 363, Weslaco TX 78596-9730, (956) 968-6358
DISTRICT 14: Glenn Fowler, 1946 Crestmont St, Corpus Christi TX 78418, (361) 937-6992
DISTRICT 15: Albert Prewitt, 507 S Park Dr, Austin TX 78704-6300, (512) 444-0036
NATIONAL OFFICERS
PAID
OXFORD, NC 27565
PERMIT NO. 56
NARFE
Texas Federal Retiree
106 E Cedar St.
Hallsvill, TX 75650-6134
NON-PROFIT ORG.
AUTO
U.S. POSTAGE
NATIONAL PRESIDENT: Margaret Baptiste, 606 N Washington St, Alexandria VA 22314-1914,
(703) 838-7760
REGIONAL VP: Jerry D. Hatfield, 231 Inwood Rd, Texarkana TX 75501-9082, (903) 832-1120,
email: jhat@valornet.com
APPOINTED FEDERATION OFFICERS
ALZHEIMER COORDINATOR: Frances Luna, 1508 Georgina St, Rosenberg TX 77471, (281) 3425949, email: franceal@juno.com
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Julius J. Lyons, 331 FCR 611, Teague TX 75860, (254) 739-5570
CHAPLAIN: Dr. Ron Randall, 5413 95th St, Lubbock TX 79424-4411, (806) 794-2880
EDITOR: Marshall L. Richards, 106 E Cedar St, Hallsville, TX 75650, (903) 660-2784,
email: pappysdad@att.net
EDTR. EMERITUS: Frances I. Grimes, 2511 Wedglea Apt# 105, Dallas TX 75211-2038, (214) 9431992, email: francesgrimes@sbcglobal.net
FED. SERVICE OFFICER: Charles Dechert, 427 Ammann Rd, Boerne TX 78015, (210) 422-3595
HISTORIAN: Jo A. Hatfield, 231 Inwood Rd, Texarkana TX 75501-9082, (903) 832-1120
MEMBERSHIP: Betty J. Wiegman, 2058 CR 403, Carthage, TX 75633-5489, (903) 693-2309,
email: bettywiegman@aol.com
NAT’L. LEG. REP.: Dr. John G. Thomas, 805 Vine St, Bryan TX 77802, (979) 846-5068,
email: jgthomas@ag.tamu.edu
PAC: Dr. John G. Thomas, 805 Vine St, Bryan TX 77802, (979) 846-5068,
email: jgthomas@ag.tamu.edu
PARLIAMENTARIAN: Vernon Mitchell, 326 Gettysburg Rd, San Antonio TX 78228-2044, (210)
736-0406
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER: Marge Secord, 1432 Cherokee Circle, Burkburnett TX 76354-2845,
(940) 569-2585
STATE LEG. REP.: Frances I. Grimes, 2511 Wedglea Apt# 105, Dallas TX 75211-2038, (214) 9431992, email: francesgrimes@sbcglobal.net
T-SAC: Marjorie Ferrell, 6407 Emerald St, Austin TX 78745-4925, (512) 444-2973
WEBMASTER: David Bloomer, 1934 Mustang Springs, Missouri City TX 77459, (281) 438-2272,
email: dabtex@sbcglobal.net
TFC WEBSITE: http://www.txnarfe.org
SUBSCRIPTION: This newspaper is the official publication of the Texas Federation of the
National Association of Retired Federal Employees. Annual subscription rate for members of the
Federation of Chapters is included in chapter dues.
OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS NEWSPAPER ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS, and do not necessarily
reflect the views or policy of the Texas Federation of Chapters, NARFE
CONTRIBUTOR’S INSTRUCTIONS: All manuscripts and letters to the editor should be mailed to
Marshall L. Richards, 106 E Cedar Street, Hallsville TX 75650, (903) 660-2784,
email: pappysdad@att.net prior to the 1st of the month for consideration for following issue.
Material received after the 1st of the month will be considered for subsequent issues.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: Any erroneous reflection upon the reputation or standing of any individual, firm or corporation that may appear in ‘The Texas Federal Retiree’ will be gladly corrected
when called to the attention of the editor.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please send change of address to NARFE, 606 N Washington St, Alexandria VA 22314-1914
This paper is being read by more than 14,000 Working and Retired Federal Employees and serves
over 160,000 Working, Retired and Surviving Annuitants of Texas.
Key Contacts/Liaisons From Texas Chapters
With Texas 32 Congressional Representatives
Representative
Party
District
TFC Contact/Liaison
(Chapter No.)
Marshall Richards (801)
Contact/Liaison
Phone Number
Louie Gohmert
R-1
903-660-2784
Ted Poe
R-2
Max Tindall (2308)
281-359-9266
Sam Johnson
R-3
Ron King (1273)
469-633-9349
Ralph M. Hall
R-4
Frances I. Grimes (122)
214-943-1992
Jeb Hensarling
R-5
Gerald H. Garrett (2105)
972-551-3872
Joe Barton
R-6
Carl Wells (1201)
817-451-7861
John A Culberson
R-7
Phil Kraus (1375)
281-499-8277
Kevin P. Brady
R-8
Danny L. Ball (1350)
936-539-3082
Al Green
D-9
Maurice R. Flynn (1321)
281-474-3430
Michael McCaul
R-10
Leon D. Bianche (828)
281-373-9273
Mike Conaway
R-11
Richard Stailey (1281)
432-694-0342
Kay Granger
R-12
Geneva Howe (1583)
817-485-1270
Mac Thornberry
R-13
Francis Carroll (1248)
906-355-2559
Ron E. Paul
R-14
William P. Daigle (298)
409-744-0672
Ruben E. Hinojosa
D-15
Delores DuPont (1460)
361-547-2827
Charles Young (1460)
361-547-2780
Silvestre Reyes
D-16
Charles Stapler (1495)
915-833-1406
Chet Edwards
D-17
Jane Lanier (229)
254-799-4578
Sheila Jackson Lee
D-18
Marva Pradier (1349)
713-675-1326
Randy Neugebauer
R-19
Don D. Crossland (244)
806-799-6796
Charles A. Gonzalez
D-20
Pat Padilla (1320)
210-682-4968
Lamar Smith
R-21
Bonnie Walcheck (672)
830-608-1202
Pete Olson
R-22
David Bloomer (2030)
281-438-2272
Ciro Rodriguez
D-23
Gerald “Jerry” Canavan (1320) 210-684-3105
Kenny Marchant
R-24
Samuel J.
“Sam” McCollough (1583)
817-283-1002
Lloyd Doggett
D-25
Cecilia Crossley (228)
512-444-0956
Michael C. Burgess
R-26
Charles Graffam (559)
469-633-1640
Soloman P. Ortiz
D-27
Carl Boyd (1544)
956-968-6358
Henry Cuellar
D-28
Martha Roe (1338)
830-393-9990
Gene Green
D-29
Gertrude Kubiac (828)
713-697-6096
Eddie Bernice Johnson D-30
Danny Riley (122)
214-339-9504
John R. Carter
R-31
David Fitz (1410)
512-250-5305
Pete Sessions
R-32
Dewey H. LaRochelle (1273)
972-238-8791