Minutes of the America First National Committee

Tuesday, July 8, 2003

BE IT REMEMBERED that the America First National Committee met on Tuesday, July 8, 2003 at 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, pursuant to the Resolution of the Operating Committee of July 1, 2003.

The Secretary called the roll of National Committee members.

Present:

• Larry Carroll of Colorado
• Tim Lohrmann of Idaho
• Virginia Clark of Maryland
• Nancy Blankenship and Greg Roberts of Missouri
• Brad Maurer of New York
• John Francis and Jim Bunosky of Ohio
• David Wilkinson of Oklahoma
• Frank Hackl of Wisconsin
• Trey Golmon of Mississippi, Ballot Access Committee Chairman
• John Pittman Hey of Mississippi, National Secretary

Absent:

• Keri Gray of Alabama
• Vince Wallgren of California
• John Clark of Maryland
• Michael O'Brian of Michigan
• Ward Chorpenning of Ohio
• Chris Oliver of Oklahoma
• Patrick Wilson of Oregon
• James Aldridge and Bill Hunt of South Carolina
• Larry Lamb of Washington

A Quorum being present, the Secretary called the meeting to order.

Mr. Carroll made a motion to elect John Hey to chair this meeting. His motion was seconded by Mr. Maurer and adopted by unanimous vote.

The National Committee meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Hey delivered the invocation.

The National Secretary delivered the Credentials Report. He reported that the America First Party of Illinois had informed him that it wished to petition for affiliation. The individuals elected to serve as National Committee members from Illinois were Maureen McHugh, Michael Beckham, and Joseph Hoffman.

Mr. Francis moved the amendment of the Certified List of National Committee members to add Maureen McHugh, Michael Beckham, and Joseph Hoffman as National Committee members from Illinois. His motion was seconded by Mr. Maurer and adopted by unanimous vote.

The National Secretary reported that the America First Party of Pennsylvania had informed him that it wished to petition for affiliation. The individuals elected to serve as National Committee members from Pennsylvania were David Thomas, George Stryker, and Sam Cross.

Mr. Francis moved the amendment of the Certified List of National Committee members to add David Thomas, George Stryker, and Sam Cross as National Committee members from Pennsylvania. His motion was seconded by Mr. Maurer and adopted by unanimous vote.

The National Secretary reported that the America First Party of New Hampshire had informed him that it wished to petition for affiliation. The individuals elected to serve as National Committee members from New Hampshire were Romelle Winters and Francis Winters.

Mr. Francis moved the amendment of the Certified List of National Committee members to add Romelle Winters and Francis Winters as National Committee members from New Hampshire. His motion was seconded by Mr. Roberts and adopted by unanimous vote.

The National Secretary reported that the America First Party of Massachusetts had informed him that it wished to petition for affiliation. The individuals elected to serve as National Committee members from Massachusetts were Jon Hill and L. Thomas White.

Mr. Maurer moved the amendment of the Certified List of National Committee members to add Jon Hill and Tom White as National Committee members from Massachusetts. His motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters and adopted by unanimous vote.

The Secretary reported receiving a number of written, signed resignations from the National Committee.

Mr. Maurer moved the amendment of the Certified List of National Committee members to strike the names of Dan Charles, John Verser, John Spooner, Marcel Dietze, Wanda Weatherford, Helen Leka, James Pace, George Radzwillas, Gaurav Ahuja, Martin McClellan, Phil Anderson, Diane Lovell, Gene Lovell, Jim Monagan, Melanie Wooten, Jim Cox, William Sailor, Lisa Sailor, Daniel Sailor, Dan Morrison, Jeff Plott, Michael Illions, Richard Rossillo, Kimberly DeMarco Illions, Maureen Flannery, Jim Arft, J. D. Jones, Warren Baldwin, James Edwards, George Pangborn, and Rick Besanko. His amendment was seconded by Mrs. Winters, and adopted by unanimous vote of the National Committee.

The National Secretary reported receiving emailed resignations from Michael O'Brian, Larry Lamb, and Vincent Wallgren.

Mrs. Winters moved the amendment of the Certified List of National Committee members to strike Michael O'Brian, Larry Lamb, and Vincent Wallgren. Her motion was seconded by Mr. White and adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Hill moved the amendment of the Certified List of National Committee members to strike the names of David Wilkinson and Christopher Oliver. His motion was seconded by Mr. White.

After extensive discussion, the question was called, and the motion was adopted by overwhelming majority.

A member requested a roll call vote, and the Secretary called the roll:

In favor of the Amendment: Hey, Carroll, McHugh, Beckham, Hoffman, Hill, White, Blankenship, Roberts, Winters, Mrs. Winters, Francis, Bunosky, Stryker, Thomas and Hackl.

In opposition to the Amendment: Clark and Wilkinson.

Abstaining: Lohrmann and Maurer.

The Amendment was adopted by overwhelming majority of the National Committee.

Mr. Hill moved the amendment of the Certified List of National Committee members to strike James Aldridge, Bill Hunt, Patrick Wilson, and Keri Gray. His motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters.

After brief discussion, the amendment was adopted by overwhelming majority of the National Committee.

Mr. Hill moved the amendment of the Certified List of National Committee members to strike Mr. John Clark and Mrs. Virginia Clark. His amendment was seconded by Mr. Stryker.

An extended discussion was held on the amendment. Various members presented arguments for and against the amendment.

Mr. Carroll moved to table the amendment. His motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters and adopted by unanimous vote of the National Committee.

The National Secretary recited the entire Certified List of National Committee members as follows:

• Larry Carroll of Colorado
• Tim Lohrmann of Idaho
• Maureen McHugh, Michael Beckham, and Joseph Hoffman of Illinois
• Jonathan Hill and L. Thomas White of Massachusetts
• John Clark and Virginia Clark of Maryland
• Nancy Blankenship and Greg Roberts of Missouri
• Trey Golmon of Mississippi
• Romelle Winters and Francis Winters of New Hampshire
• Bradley Maurer of New York
• John Francis, Ward Chorpenning, and James Bunosky of Ohio
• Samuel Cross, George Stryker, and David Thomas of Pennsylvania
• Frank Hackl of Wisconsin
• John Pittman Hey of Mississippi, National Secretary

Mr. White moved to adopt the Certified List of National Committee members in its entirety as set forth hereinabove. His motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters and adopted by unanimous vote of the National Committee.

Mrs. Winters moved the adoption of the Agenda as distributed by the Secretary. Her motion was seconded by Mr. Francis.

Mr. Golmon moved to strike all items before "New Business" from the Agenda. His motion was seconded by Mr. White and adopted by unanimous consent.

The Agenda as amended was adopted by unanimous consent.

Mr. White moved the adoption of a Resolution to cancel the upcoming National Convention. His Resolution was seconded by Mr. Stryker.

The Resolution reads as follows:

Resolved, that the National Committee hereby rescinds that certain resolution previously adopted on May 20, 2003 which called a National Convention; and

That the National Committee hereby rescinds that certain resolution previously adopted on May 20, 2003 which authorized the Convention Committee to expend funds and conduct business necessary to hold a National Convention; and

That the National Committee hereby dissolves the Convention Committee; and

That the National Committee hereby ratifies and approves the actions of the National Secretary in canceling the National Convention and notifying the Nashville Airport Marriott hotel of said cancellation in order to protect the assets and integrity of the Party.

The Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote of the National Committee.

Mr. Lohrmann moved a Resolution to elect Maureen McHugh to fill the vacancy in the office of National Treasurer. His Resolution was seconded by Mrs. Winters and adopted by unanimous consent.

Mr. White moved a Resolution to elect Romelle Winters to fill the vacancy in the chairmanship of the Public Relations Committee. His Resolution was seconded by Mrs. McHugh and adopted by unanimous consent.

Mrs. Winters moved a Resolution to elect Jon Hill to fill the vacancy in the chairmanship of the Finance Committee. Her Resolution was seconded by Mr. White and adopted by unanimous consent.

The National Treasurer reported that the Party has approximately $1900 in deposits. She discussed the cancellation fee that the party now owes the Marriott; the balance due the Marriott totals $7260.

A discussion was held regarding ways to collect the money to pay the Marriott debt. The idea of an "assessment" was discussed.

Mr. Carroll made a motion instructing the National Secretary and National Treasurer to compose and mail an appropriate letter to all persons who were members of the National Committee on April 15 and May 20, requesting that each of them pay an assessment consisting of an equal share of the balance owed to the Marriott. His motion was seconded by Mr. Francis, and adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Hill moved a Resolution to call a meeting of the National Committee by teleconference for July 15, 2003 at 9 p.m. EDT. His Resolution was seconded by Mr. Francis and adopted by unanimous vote.

There being no further business, upon motion made by Mr. Francis, seconded by Mr. White, and adopted by unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
______________________
John Pittman Hey
National Secretary
America First National Committee