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SCHAUMBURG, IL 10/3/97 TO 10/5/97
OVERVIEW:

THE MEETING WAS HELD WITH FRIDAY, 10/3 & SATURDAY, 10/4, CONDUCTED AS WORKSHOPS AND ABSORBING INFORMATIVE SPEECHES ON A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS.  THE BUSINESS PORTION OF THE MEETING WAS HELD ON SUNDAY, 10/5/97, IN THE AM.

BUSINESS MEETING SUNDAY 10/5/97:

A) ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS:

• Teleconference meeting minutes of 9/29/97 were approved.
  
• Special committees were formally established; i.e.  Communications, Fund raising, Outreach, and Platform.
  
• NRPC & NARA organizations were dissolved.
  
  

B) COMMITTEE AND OTHER VOTING ACTIONS:

1- Texas was seated on the party committee with Jim Welch and Forrest Spindle being the delegates.
2- Platform committee reported on its workshop with six (6) priority planks defined and each Plank has an individual Chairman.  The Platform was approved by the delegates.
3- Rules Committee presented its report and the Party Constitution with these important provisions:

• Adopted a new party name of American Reform Party.
  
• Preamble content and principles were read.
  
• States are to be seated with a 2/3's delegate vote.
  
• Established a congressional district residency requirement.
  
• Amendment provisions were to be made by majority vote for the next 15 months, and by 2/3's vote thereafter.
  
• A date of 12/31/98 was established as the benchmark for deciding to be only a member of the American Reform Party.
  

The rules Committee report and Constitution were approved, and the Constitution will be published on the WEB site.

4) A motion commending Convention Chair Louis Herrink was passed.

5) Resolution Committee reviewed four (4) submissions as follows:

• Party name change was unnecessary by virtue of Constitution approval.
  
• FEC funding matter was withdrawn.
  
• Immigration resolution was approved with these highlights:
  
  • An annual immigration cap of less than 300,000 was established.
    
  • Family reunification is limited to spouses and underage children.
    
  • Limit family extension of citizenship based on birth to citizens and legal immigrants.
    
  • Illegal immigration controlled through enforcement of legislation, especially job eligibility.
    
  • Political asylum limited to significant cases.
    
  • Prohibit amnesty grants.
    
• Resolution was approved.
  
  
• Resolution on "Restoration of America" resulted in a recommendation for a future modified resolution that integrates with the Party's Constitution, Platform, and Mission statements.
  
  

6) RESULTS OF OFFICER ELECTIONS:

POSITION	VOTER APPROVED OFFICE HOLDER
Party Chair	Dr. Linda Witherspoon
Vice-Chair	Doris Bateman
Secretary	Al Garyantes
Deputy Secretary	Carolyn Guillot
Treasurer	Ron Barthel
Deputy Treasurer	Ted Muga
Communications Chair	Kathleen Hopkins
Fund raising Chair	Ron Barthel
Outreach Chair	Nancy Couperus
Platform Committee Chair	Al Garyantes

7) CONVENTION SUMMATION - DR.  LINDA WITHERSPOON:

• Thanked participants, Convention Chair, and all involved in arrangements and program.
• Emphasized we are a real political party with all the attendant responsibilities.
• Indicated fund raising was a paramount issue requiring attention and dedication.
• Encouraged state by intra-state party development and expansion.
  
  

8) Adjournment occurred at 12:10 PM.

CONVENTION EVENTS- FRIDAY 10/3/97:

1) FRIDAY: 10/3: 4:00pm TO 6:15pm:

• Welcome by Philomena Nirchi emphasized opportunities with Republicans and Democrats largely mirroring each other, and both bereft of positive public policies addressing the real national issues.
  
• Dr. Witherspoon verified all attendees were registered and had badges, explained the badge colors, reviewed planned agenda and workshops, and emphasized the importance of establishing a viable third party fielding a credible slate of candidates.
  
• Jim Welch, Bylaws/Rules Committee Chairman, reviewed topics planned for his workshop.  A review of history, and suggested courses of action became attendees input to the workshop.
  
  

2) 7:15 PM: Speech by Ed Zschau on:
"A DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT TO AMERICAN RENEWAL:

Mr. Zschau used a Thomas Jefferson tombstone inscription analogy comparing it to a potential inscription for this generation postulating it may establish this generation's practices as:

• "Cared only about themselves".
  
• "Borrowed from their children".
  
• " Lacked the courage to meet challenges".
  

He suggested the majority of citizens wanted democracy to work, and they are disenchanted with electors, but a spark may galvanize their allegiance, assistance and commitment to positive change.  Specific suggestions were:

• Make a clean break with the past.
  
• Low voter turnout indicates a majority are making a statement "A pox on all politicians".  A MOVEMENT is needed and made a comparison of Promise Keepers as an example.
  
  

Mr. Zschau reviewed a Declaration of Commitment to American Renewal making these key points:

• Electors are not serving citizens and are advancing their own agendas.  Campaign contributors control legislation favoring their interests.
  
• Stated the hypocrisy of legislators, their divisiveness, and voter detachment.
  
• We've lost the concept and sense of community.
  
• All citizens share the blame for the problems.  America needs to be reshaped, and citizens commitment to renewal is necessary.
  
• This generation should leave our children a better nation.
  
  

He then wondered whether renewal could work, and asked what will be on this generation's tombstone.  Republicans are disgusted with their leadership, and the political landscape is ripe for change.  MR. ZSCHAU SUMMARIZED WITH A CALL TO SAVE THIS COUNTRY FROM THE FORCES OF POLITICS, AND TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN AMERICA, ITS' CITIZENS, AND ITS' FUTURE.

3) Speech by Matt Keller, Common Cause:

Mr. Keller's primary point is money is running politics and legislators.  He identified:

• It costs an average of $4.5 million to secure a Senatorial position paying $130,000+ a year.  Where is the economic sense and payback?
  
• The candidate with the most money wins elections.  Money gravitates to the incumbents.
  
• Lobbyists represent special interests.  NO ONE REPRESENTS THE INTEREST OF THE COMMON CITIZEN.
  
• Asked audience to contact Senator Trent Lott's office to kill his "poison" amendment to McCain-Feingold's Campaign Reform legislation.
  
  

4) Speech by Melissa Heiger of THIRD MILLENIUM:

Ms. Heiger's talk focused on Social Security privatization with these key points made:

• SS system will require benefits funding from annual tax revenues around the year 2012.  Collection surpluses from payroll taxes will end then.
  
• While some cite the year 2029 as the date SS funding goes broke, they are using a government "Trust Fund" which doesn't exist except in the form of IOU bonds which must be paid by increased taxes, or additional debt at around the year 2012.
  
• Our society is aging, and there is already a $7.5 trillion unfunded liability.  Government requires the private sector to not have unfunded pension liabilities!
  
• "TINKERING" approaches recommended by some simply will not fix the problem, and correction time is quickly disappearing.
  RECOMMENDATION was to invest a portion of payroll tax withholdings into individual investment accounts akin to 401k's with no ability to withdraw funds.  Ms. Heiger stated that in a variety of analyses spanning more than a year or two, there never has been a period where the return would be less than currently experienced under Social Security benefits payments.
  
  

Adjournment of the Friday session occurred at 9:14 PM.

CONVENTION EVENTS ON SATURDAY 10/4/97:

1) Session opened at 9:00 AM:

• Pledge of allegiance to the flag was conducted.
  
• Doris Bateman, Minnesota, read a letter from Tim Penny encouraging the purposes of the convention and the establishment of a third Party.
  
• Credentials Chair, Richard Batson, presented delegates and called the roll:
  

STATE	DELGATE	DELEGATE
California	Carolyn Guillot	Lee Stork
Colorado	Kathleen Hopkins	Warren Jaycox
Delaware	Al Garyantes
Florida	Richard Batson	Bill Dane
Minnesota	Doris Bateman
Montana	Sam Rankin
New Jersey	Roy Downing	Steve Bauer
New York	Scott Farrell	Charles Riggs
Oregon	Russ Schilling	Jim Bruchie
Tennessee	David Hamlin	Bettye Glover

Roll was called, a motion to approve and second was made and approved.  It was established that Scott Farrell of NY had left the previous evening, so only 16 voting delegates were seated.

2) ELECTION OF CONVENTION CHAIR:

Two nominations were made from the floor, and Louis Herrink was voted as Convention Chair. Mr. Herrink accepted the election and stated these points:

• Stated everyone would be heard, but emphasized the limited time available and requested efficiency.
  
• Requested a resolution to establish adjournment times on Saturday & Sunday.
  
• Requested Chairs to provide estimated required times for their portion of the agenda.
  
• Identified that all resolutions must be submitted by 11:00 AM Saturday.
  
• Identified Al Garyantes as Secretary, and Sam Rankin as Parliamentarian.
  
• Had the Program Committee review the agenda and timing.  A few minor modifications were made and a motion to approve was made, seconded, and approved.
  
• The business portion of the agenda was recessed until Saturday evening at 7:00 PM, seconded and approved.
  
  

3) Speech by Joe Daleiden on Reforming Immigration:

Mr. Daleiden presented that estimates are the US population will grow from 265 million now to one billion by the year 2099 using current growth curves and assuming nothing changes.  He further stated that normal births in the USA will raise the population to only 300 million with the balance coming from immigration and companion increases.  He stated the issue in immigration is to establish how many people and what types of job skills and qualities are appropriate.  Several problems were identified among which are:

• Published unemployment figures are artificially low with non job seekers, drop outs, etc.  not counted.  He offered 12 % unemployment as a reasonable figure.
  
• Median income should have gone up 35% to match productivity increases, but has actually decreased on a real basis.
  
• One acre of cropland is needed per inhabitant, and we have 1.2 acres per person.  This means there is a cap on the number of people that can be supported, which is a 20% population growth.
  Mr. Daleiden made recommendations which were documented as a resolution of the Convention.
  
  

4) ADDRESS BY MORRY TAYLOR, TITAN CEO & 1996 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE:

Mr. Taylor provided a very enlightening and entertaining talk on Management and politics.  He states the Silent Majority moves on ECONOMICS.  His position is government is business, and needs to be managed with the same principles of business.  His insight gained as a result of pursuing the presidential nomination was humorous and sobering at the same time.  Mr. Taylor graciously provided his new book, "KILL ALL THE LAWYERS and other ways to fix the government" to attendees.   He promoted a common sense approach to achieve meaningful results within a large enterprise, such as the federal government.

5) SPEECH BY PAUL JACOB, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF U.S.  TERM LIMITS:

Mr. Jacobs stated the need is to identify and strike at the roots of the problem.  He itemized these factors involved in legislation:

• Inertia is government's gain, liberty is constricted, and citizens lose ground with their liberties.
  
• Pork resolutions keep coming back & back until they're eventually passed.
  
• Legislators seldom live in and understand the district they represent.
  
• Congressional pensions cause their retirement income to be higher than their normal income.
  
• MAJOR PROBLEM: CITIZENS NO LONGER HAVE REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS! THEY DON'T WORK FOR US; THEY ARE CAREER POLITICIANS.
  
• A SECOND MAJOR PROBLEM IS THOSE THAT ENJOY THEIR CAREERS ARE THE ONES WHO MUST VOTE TO END THE CERTAINTY OF A LIFE TIME POSITION.
  Mr. Jacobs recommends attacking the problem on a state by state basis which is exactly how women's suffrage, the Senate popular vote, and other changes were made.  When a majority of states have term limits, then national adoption of that policy is achievable.  MR. JACOBS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED OUR PARTY CANDIDATES SIGN A PLEDGE TO ABDICATE AFTER 6 OR 12 YEARS.
  
  

6) SPEECH BY JIM GIERACH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DRUG CORNER:

Mr. Gierach made some very interesting points among which was the "DRUG WAR" was a more negative factor than the drugs themselves.  "Education" is more of an inducement than an inhibitor.  It implants the idea of drugs in many youthful minds many of whom may never have considered them.   It's the old "don't touch, wet paint" syndrome.  He also established that an agricultural product, a plant, is the most valuable product on earth.  He further stated the USA has the highest imprisonment rate in the world and it doesn't work.  Criminals run drug businesses in prison; there's too much money.  He was very negative on rehabilitation defining that it doesn't work.  A summation of the problem is drugs are much like the "alcohol wars" of the 1920's and illegality merely made the product more desired and valuable. Mr. Gierach's recommendations are:

• Take the money/profit out of drugs.
  
• Drugs are more a medical problem than a legal issue, so drug tolerant, medically supervised anti-drug policies must be established.
  
• Parents, teachers, & clergymen must assume primary responsibility for drug prevention.
  
  

LUNCH WAS SERVED WITH GUEST KEYNOTE SPEAKER MARTIN GROSS' ADDRESS:

Mr. Gross described a political environment out of control.  He salted his talk with countless credible examples of legislators violating their public trust.  His position is Congress is operating contra the citizens rights and benefits.  His recommendation was to initiate a new third party suggesting several names.  His call for a peaceful revolution establishing a citizens government of integrity and fiscal responsibility resonated well with the audience.

7) WORKSHOPS: The rest of the day was spent on workshops for Platform and Bylaws/Rules the results of which were reported as part of Sunday's business meeting.  The evening business session was rescheduled for Sunday .

8) Dinner was scheduled in early evening, and then the rules committee met for evening discussion.

9) Adjournment occurred approximately 9:45 PM. 

Respectfully submitted,
Al Garyantes, Secretary 10/27/97

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