Washington Conference Schedule

The American Legion's Washington Conference, held annually in our nation's capital, gives our organization's leadership a chance to meet with elected officials to discuss legislative initiatives and priorities important to Legion members and their families. It also provides a forum that allows Legionnaires to hear from senators, representatives, and officials from the White House and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as they address our members at the conference.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Washington Conference will be held virtually, March 1-3.

MONDAY MARCH 1, 2021

Veterans Education & Employment Commission (VE&E) meeting

The Veterans Education and Employment Commission will hold its virtual meeting at Washington Conference starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday, March 1.

To join the VE&E Commission meeting virtually, register at this Zoom link.

Scheduled speakers will include:

8:55 a.m.
Richard Trumka, President, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Educational Organization (AFL-CIO)

9:15 a.m.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, (D-Ill.)

9:45 a.m.
James Rodriguez, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Department of Labor (VETS)

10:30 a.m.
Boris Kun, Director, Workforce & Credentialing Programs, Department of Defense

1 p.m.
Charmain Bogue, Executive Director, VA Education Service 

National Security Commission meeting

The National Security Commission will hold its virtual meeting at Washington Conference starting at 9 a.m. Monday, March 1.

To join the National Security Commission meeting virtually, register at this Zoom link.

Scheduled speakers will include:

9:15 a.m.
MG William J. Walker, 23^rd Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard on the posture of the National Guard.

10 a.m.
Brig. Aaron Dean, Adjutant General, Washington, D.C., National Guard on the State Partnership Program. 

10:30 a.m.
Kelly K. McKeague, Director, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Washington, D.C., and Fern Sumpter Winbush, Principal Deputy Director on the posture of the DPAA.

Legislative Commission meeting

The Legislative Commission will hold its virtual meeting at Washington Conference starting at noon on Monday, March 1.

To join the Legislative Commission meeting virtually, register at this Zoom link.

Joint National Security-VE&E panel discussion

4 to 5 p.m.
Securing the U.S. Industrial Base: Economic Security is a Matter of 21st Century National Security. John Berry, president of The American & Australia Association and a former U.S. Ambassador to Australia, will be the moderator for the session.

To join the VE&E-National Security panel discussion virtually, register at this Zoom link.

Panelists include:

• Brad Markell, Executive Director, AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council, AFL-CIO Working for America Institute
• Thomas Pickering, Vice Chairman, Hills and Co. Former U.S. Ambassador and Representative to the United Nations.
• Joshua Walker, Ph.D., President and CEO, Japan Society
• Richard Passarelli, Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), National Director of Veterans Affairs

 

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021

Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission meeting - Morning Session

The Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission will hold the morning session of its virtual meeting at Washington Conference starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 2.

To join the morning session of the Veterans & Affairs Commission meeting virtually, register at this Zoom link.

Scheduled speakers include:  

10 a.m.
Morning Session, Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Chairman Ralph Bozella

10:25 a.m.
Denis McDonough, Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affiars (pre-recorded video presentation).

10:30 a.m.
Dr. Richard Stone, Acting Under Secretary for Health of the Veterans Benefits Administration (pre-recorded video presentation).

10:50 a.m.
Ron Walters, Under Secretary of the National Cemetery Administration.

11:10 a.m.
Thomas Murphy, Acting Under Secretary, Veterans Benefits Administration. 

11:30 a.m.
Dr. Kenneth Kizer, Chief Healthcare Transformation Officer and Senior Executive/Vice President at Atlas Research.

  

Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission meeting - Breakout Sessions 

The Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission will hold its virtual meeting break-out sessions at Washington Conference starting at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 2.

The Cemetery Committee will meet at 12:30 p.m. on March 2.
Renae Yates, Director, Office of Army Cemeteries, Arlington National Cemetery, is scheduled to speak at 12:45 p.m. 
To join virtually, register at this Zoom link.

The Health Administration Committee will meet at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 2.
Andrea N. Goldstein, MALD, Senior Policy Adviser, Women Veterans Task Force, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, is scheduled to speak. 
To join virtually, register at this Zoom link.

Veterans Benefits Committee will meet at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday March 2. 
To join virtually, register at this Zoom link.

Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission meeting - Afternoon Session

The Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission will hold the afternoon session of its virtual meeting at Washington Conference starting at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 2.

To join the afternoon session of the Veterans & Affairs Commission meeting virtually, register at this Zoom link.

1:45 p.m.
Afternoon Session, Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission Chairman Ralph Bozella

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021

The TBI/PTSD Suicide Prevention Committee meeting

The TBI/PTSD Suicide Prevention Committee will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 3.

To join virtually, register at this Zoom link.

Scheduled speakers include:  

10:10 a.m.
Matt Wetenkamp, Veteran Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Office of Suicide Prevention, Violence & Injury Prevention-Mental Health Promotion  Branch  

10:40 a.m.
Kelley Tubbs, LCSW, Acting Transition and Care Management Program Manager, Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center.