Minutes of the America First National Committee

Tuesday, July 15, 2003

BE IT REMEMBERED that the America First National Committee met on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 at 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, pursuant to the Resolution of the National Committee of July 8, 2003.

The Secretary called the roll of National Committee members.

Present:

• Joseph Hoffman of Illinois
• Jon Hill and Tom White of Massachusetts
• Nancy Blankenship of Missouri
• Trey Golmon of Mississippi
• Francis Winters and Romelle Winters of New Hampshire
• Brad Maurer of New York
• John Francis of Ohio
• George Stryker and David Thomas of Pennsylvania
• Maureen McHugh of Illinois, National Treasurer
• John Pittman Hey of Mississippi, National Secretary

Absent:

• Tim Lohrmann of Idaho
• Michael Beckham of Illinois
• Virginia Clark and John Clark of Maryland
• Greg Roberts of Missouri
• Jim Bunosky and Ward Chorpenning of Ohio
• Frank Hackl of Wisconsin

Larry Carroll of Colorado and Sam Cross of Pennsylvania joined the meeting after the roll call had been taken.

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

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

Mrs. Winters made a motion to elect John Hey to chair this meeting. Her motion was seconded by Mrs. McHugh. Mr. Stryker and Mr. Hill moved to close nominations. Nominations were closed by unanimous consent, and Mr. Hey was elected to chair the meeting by unanimous consent.

Mr. Hill renewed his motion to amend the Certified List of National Committee members to strike John and Virginia Clark of Maryland. His amendment was seconded by Mr. Stryker.

The Committee engaged in a thorough discussion of the amendment. All members felt that the Clarks had exhibited bad judgment in not standing against the disruptive tactics recently displayed by a few former members. Several members expressed the additional concern that the Clarks did not take the disruption as a serious event that jeopardized the party, and therefore their judgment in the future regarding protection of the interests of the party could not be counted upon. Other members expressed the desire to hear the Clarks' defense of their actions.

Mr. Hey requested that Mr. Hill and perhaps Mr. Stryker make an attempt to discuss these matters with the Clarks.

Mr. Francis moved to table the amendment. His motion was seconded by Mr. White and adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Maurer moved the adoption of the Agenda as distributed by the Secretary. His motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters and adopted by unanimous vote.

The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the March 18 meeting of the National Committee for consideration and adoption. Mrs. McHugh moved the approval of the minutes. Her motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters and adopted by unanimous consent.

The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the May 20 meeting of the National Committee for consideration and adoption. Mrs. Winters moved the approval of the minutes. Her motion was seconded by Mrs. McHugh and adopted by unanimous consent.

The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the July 8 meeting of the National Committee for consideration and adoption. Mrs. Winters moved the approval of the minutes. Her motion was seconded by Mrs. McHugh and adopted by unanimous consent.

The National Treasurer delivered a brief report. The Party has $3100 on hand. A discussion was held regarding the $7260 still owed the Marriott for the cancellation of the Convention. The assessment letters discussed at the previous meeting are ready to be sent.

Mr. Hill moved the adoption of a Resolution for the Purchase of Pocket Constitutions. The Resolution had been referred by the Finance Committee. The Resolution was seconded by Mr. White.

The Resolution reads as follows:

Resolution Authorizing Expenditure of Funds to Purchase Pocket Constitution Stock

Be it resolved by the National Committee:

That a maximum expenditure of $200 for 200 copies of a pocket-sized constitution be authorized.

The Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Hoffman moved the adoption of a Resolution repudiating the invitation of Col. Bo Gritz as speaker at the National Convention. The Resolution was seconded by Mr. Stryker.

The Resolution reads as follows:

Resolution Repudiating the Invitation to Col. Bo Gritz to Speak at the National Convention

Whereas, an invitation was extended by the Convention Committee to Lt. Col James Bo Gritz to speak at the party convention; and

Whereas, the invitation was not authorized by the National Committee;

Now therefore be it resolved by the National Committee:

That Col. Gritz is not a suitable person to address the National Convention; and

That the invitation is hereby repudiated; and

That the Secretary is instructed to communicate this resolution to Col. Gritz.

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

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

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