DEPARTMENT OF WISCONSIN
Please remember that The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary are non partisan, without regard to political affiliation.
LEGISLATIVE
The purpose of the Legislative program is to provide information and assistance to American Legion Auxiliary members in supporting the legislative agenda of The American Legion with elected officials at all levels of government (local, state, national). All programs are greatly dependent upon proper legislation, so the Auxiliary must be well informed.
Every unit should appoint a Legislative Chair and subscribe to The American Legion Dispatch and encourage as many members as possible to subscribe. Effective January 2024, The American Legion Dispatch newsletter will be sent twice monthly to better serve members of the American Legion Family with timely and informative news on programs, training, events and other pressing items. Please share with members of your units, posts and squadrons how to sign up for the Dispatch. They can visit www.legion.org/newsletters and click on Digital Dispatch.
It is urged that everyone sign up for the Grassroots Action plan. You will receive action items that need your support right to your inbox.
Visit legion.org, click on the 'Advocacy' tab, select 'Grassroots Action Center' from the drop down box, then click on the 'sign up for alerts' button.
Sue Hembrook, Department Chair
Email: genesuehem@wi.rr.com
2026-2027 District Chairs:
District 1 - Sherri Curzi
District 2 - Maggie Geiger
District 3 - Shelley Drager
District 4 - Bonnie Jakubczyk
District 5 - Linda Bartell
District 6 - Char Kiesling
District 7 - Jesse Elmhorst
District 8 - Fran Bender
District 9 - LuAnn James
District 10 - Mary Townsend
District 11 - Barb Bell
District 12 - Barb McDaniel
The American Legion Auxiliary supports the legislative priorities adopted by The American Legion. The American Legion’s Legislative Division in Washington, D.C., keeps abreast of current legislation related to veterans’ benefits, national security, and children and youth. Auxiliary members are encouraged to subscribe to the Legion’s legislative ebulletins to keep the Legion Family aware of legislative issues and the official positions of The American Legion on those issues.
Other issues on The American Legion legislative agenda include efforts to improve health care for women veterans, guaranteed pay for our Coast Guard in the event of a government shutdown, the expansion of broadband capabilities and services for veterans in remote areas to better meet their health care needs, and citizenship for veteran immigrants for honorable service in our military.
Contacting our elected representatives regarding issues important to our veterans and their welfare is a significant part of our commitment to participate in and contribute to the aims and purposes of The American Legion, as stated in the preamble to our constitution.
For contact information and a list of officials go to: www.legis.wisconsin.gov. Members of Congress can also be found at www.senate.gov and www.house.gov.
Members should write to their legislators when asked to put special emphasis on a subject and send copies of the communication and responses received from legislators to the Department Legislative Chair. Responses help The American Legion national headquarters determine congressional opinion on veterans’ issues.
2026-2027 Legislative Program Awards Deadlines and Submission Requirements
Thank you for taking the time to share a favorite story about the positive impact you or someone you know has had on our mission! Your story may inspire another member into service. It also helps us tell the world who we are, what we do, and why we matter.
Here are the national awards for this committee:
Unit Award: Most Outstanding Unit Legislative Program for Central Division
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April 1: All unit entries must be submitted to the department chair by April 1st using the entry form in the Legislative Program Engagement Plan.
Authorization to Release Personal Information:
Award submissions become property of the American Legion Auxiliary. Through submission of reports and award entries, the submitter grants non-exclusive reproduction and publication rights to the materials submitted and agrees to have their names and submission published for ALA use or commercial use without additional compensation or permission.
Please fill out the information as completely and accurately as possible. Award certificates will be completed using the information provided on the entry form, so please be sure to complete it in its entirety. Please refer to the webpage for the specific criteria such as photographs, narrative length, submission deadline, and point of contact. All awards will be mailed to the department office after ALA National Convention.
Questions? Contact legislative@ALAforVeterans.org