Legislation and Committee

Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson (1912-2007)

Honorary Chair

Texan Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Taylor Johnson was First Lady of the United States of America from 1963 to 1969. Much beloved, especially in her home state, during her life Mrs. Johnson actively promoted the beautification of America’s highways and the conservation of the nation’s natural resources, particularly its wildflowers and native plants. Mrs. Johnson was also an entrepreneur and businesswoman, a dedicated mother and grandmother, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. Before her death in 2007, she was an enthusiastic supporter of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument.

Representative Wayne Smith

Co-Chair

State Representative Wayne Smith serves District 128, encompassing Baytown, Deer Park, La Porte, Morgan’s Point and portions of the unincorporated area of East Harris County. He served in the United States Army in Vietnam and co-authored the legislation to authorize a Texas Capitol Vietnam Monument, saying, “It is my hope that those Texans who made such a huge sacrifice to serve their country be honored and remembered. The Monument will forever serve as a reminder of the supreme sacrifices made by so many Texans who served. It is time to remember those who gave so much for their country and their great state.”

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa

Co-Chair

State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa represents the people of District 20 in the Texas Senate. He served his country with distinction in the United States Marine Corps as a squad leader in the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968. And co-authored the legislation to create the Texas Capitol Vietnam Monument on the Texas Capitol grounds, saying, “We remember our soldiers so their memory doesn’t die – the monument will be here in the Capitol to honor those who have given their life for their country and to welcome those who came back home.”

Robert Floyd

Executive Committee Chair

Robert served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam from June 1969 through June 1970, first at Bien Hoa and later at Camp Eagle, Phu Bai. He has since served as CEO of two statewide trade associations.  Robert  began his lobbying career in 1973 as Director of Government Relations for the Texas Motor Transportation Association, later serving as the President and CEO. TMTA was recognized as being one of the most effective lobbying organizations in Texas.
In 1996, Floyd became the President and CEO of the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE). He developed a government relations program that provided political advocacy for the association and nonprofit communities.
Mr. Floyd served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Society of Association Executives and the American Society of Association Executives and served on the board of the Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations. He was elected to two terms on the Eanes (Austin, Texas) School District Board of Trustees in the 1980′s. He is a former member of the adjunct faculty of government at Austin Community College and a published author.  He is currently a legislative consultant with the law firm of Hance Scarborough, LLP.

John Miterko

Treasurer

John Miterko served in the United States Army from 1968 through 1972. He served in Vietnam 1971-72 as a Captain in Military Intelligence as Chief of Military Intelligence Collection Operations for the 3rd Military Region (III Corps) in the Republic of Vietnam. He received a Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement in ground operations against hostile forces. Following discharge from the US Army, John worked for 3M Company for 30 years in International Business Development working in 46 countries. Taking early retirement in January 2002, John has since devoted his energy and talents to volunteer work for veterans at the local, state, and national levels. John was instrumental in national legislation which resulted in advance appropriations for the VA health care system, as well as PTSD, and Agent Orange legislation. At the state level John has successfully advocated veteran-centric legislation for the past four legislative sessions that have resulted in 100% property tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses, as well as the Veteran scratch-off lottery ticket which funds the Permanent Fund for Veteran Assistance. John has received awards at the State and National levels for his contributions to veterans via his legislative advocacy work. John is a charter member of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Veterans Monument Veteran Outreach and Executive Committees. John has been Treasurer of the Executive Committee since July 2011.

Terry B. Burkett

Upon graduation in 1964 from Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas, Terry B. Burkett enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for 22 years. Terry is a member of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Executive Committee and is chairman of the monument’s Veterans Outreach Committee. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3377, Manchaca, Texas and a member of the Texas Association of Vietnam Veterans Austin Chapter and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 915 Austin, Texas. Terry served as a United States Navy Naval Aircrewman in Vietnam in 1966, 1969, and 1970 flying Yankee Station and Operation Market Time combat patrols with squadrons VP-9 and VP-17. He was awarded two Air Medals with Strike Flight Numeral “1″. Additionally, he is the recipient of two Navy Achievement medals.

Alan Erwin

Alan Erwin served in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1971 as a communications officer on the aircraft carrier USS Lexington. As a communications officer, Erwin communicated with other naval vessels, shore command, and air squadrons. Later, Erwin was an advisor to the Vietnamese Navy stationed near Nha Trang, South Vietnam, serving as an intelligence officer. His unit was part of Operation Market Time from 1965-1972. “Market Time” was a joint effort between the United States Navy and the South Vietnamese Navy to prevent the flow of supplies and munitions from North Vietnam into South Vietnam. Following his military service, Erwin has continued to work for his nation and his state in several positions: as chief of staff in Washington, DC for Congressman Bob Casey of Houston; as one of the first appointed State of Texas Public Utility Commissioners; and as chair of the the Energy Commission of the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners, among others.

Phil Price

Phil Price served in the United States Army in Vietnam’s Central Highlands as an Infantry Platoon Leader in the 2nd of the 8th Infantry (MECH) 4th Infantry Division. He fought with armored personnel carriers from May to September 1969 when he was wounded in combat Price was medevaced to Camp Zama, Japan and on to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He earned a Bronze Stare with “V” for Valor in combat, Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Phil is CEO of The Price Group, the largest advertising,marketing and PR firm in West Texas. He is also a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas Tech University. He has been a leader in many veteran issues in Lubbock, including The Vietnam Center at Texas Tech, The Silent Wings Museum, the Lubbock area Veterans Memorial and the Willie McCool memorial statue at Lubbock’s Freedom Park.

Kerry Orr

Kerry Orr served in the U.S. Army combat infantry with the 25th Infantry Division 1/27th Wolfhounds as a Sgt E-5. He earned a Purple Heart for wounds received in combat, a Bronze Star for Heroism in ground combat, and a Bronze Star for Meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces. Sgt Orr served in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. Kerry resides in Lakeway, Texas and is Vice President of Sales, Southeast for ZENITEL, manufacturers of critical audio communications systems. Kerry has provided electronic audio security systems for the Capitol of the USA, National Archives, Library of Congress, The Smithsonian, World Bank, Federal Reserve Banks, DOE/DOD applications,all Aircraft carriers for the US Navy, CNN, Microsoft, Bank of America, Merck , Nuclear Power facilities and hundreds of others over his 24 years with the company.

Don “Tex” Dorsey

United States Marine Corps Sergeant Don “Tex” Dorsey served in Vietnam with the 1st Marine Division, 1st Regiment as a Scout Sniper from June 1969 to June 1970. Originally from Port Neches, Texas, he currently lives in Austin, where he serves as a veterans advocate and Austin Chapter President and State President of the Texas Association of Vietnam Veterans. He’s also a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America #915, VFW Post 856, Disabled American Veterans, First Marine Division Association, and the Scout Sniper Association. In addition, he serves on the Executive and Veterans Outreach Committees of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument.

Kinnan Golemon

Kinnan Goleman was commissioned as a United States Marine Corps Lieutenant in May 1961. While serving on Okinawa in the Summer of 1963 as the Executive Officer for H Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, he was detached for an OJT Tour to Vietnam where he was deployed with a joint Army Special Forces and Vietnamese Montagnard Unit in the I Corps Area Highlands at a site near the Laotian border and, subsequently, in the III Corps (Mekong Delta) with the 3rd Company, 4th Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Corps {a unit that was virtually annihilated in the battle at Bing Gia near the end of December 1964}. Originally from Kerrville, Texas, he presently resides in Austin, Texas. Following more than 40 years of active practice of environmental law, in January 2008 he established KG Strategies, LLC where he provides strategic counsel on various regulatory and legislative challenges facing those doing business in Texas.

Richard McBride

Richard H. McBride served in the United States Army combat infantry in Vietnam 1969-1970, assigned to Mobile Advisory Team #67 and was awarded the Bronze star and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Michael Wright

Michael served in the United States Army with multiple aviation companies during the 1969-1970 time frame in support of American, Australian, and South Vietnamese troops and wore home the USARV patch after multiple unit stand downs started in 1970. He is recipient of a Bronze Star. Michael was also a member of a JAG section upon returning stateside. He spent 37 years with Hoffmann-LaRoche as a Senior State Government Affairs Manager, covering seven state legislatures and Congress. He is currently the Senior Principal at Wright Advisors and Senior Director of Public Affairs at the Texas Pharmacy Association. Michael is the President of Great Hills Country Club, President of the Great Hills Homeowners Association, and active in fundraising for Dell Children’s Hospital. He has served on Executive Boards with the National Governors Association, American Legislative Exchange Council, Council of State Governments, National Medicaid Directors Association, and the Texas Healthcare Bio Science Institute.

Patrick Nugent

Patrick Nugent served in the United States Air Force 315^th Special Operations Wing in Vietnam from 1968 – 69 as a C-123 aircraft load master.  “This monument is not about politics. It is to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to those who continue to tell the story.”