After being in Rotary for about five years, I became very active in both the administration of the Club and many of its service projects. Consequently, I developed an excellent understanding of the good that Rotary was doing in my community and throughout the world. Rotary’s efforts to end Polio were especially attractive. In addition to contributing on a regular basis through Rotary Direct, I found other ways to contribute, such as supporting our Club’s Annual Pints for Polio event, and our District’s annual fund raiser for the Rotary Foundation. I am pleased to see that my money and my service is helping to make a difference in our community and the world.

                                            David Rittenhouse

There’s a reason Rotarians donate to The Rotary Foundation: It’s a simple way to achieve your philanthropic goals – whether it’s supporting clean water, the eradication of polio, or a particular global grant. Any gift can be donated to a specific fund – End Polio Now, an individual global grant, or one of Rotary’s areas of focus. Even the smallest of gifts can be donated to a specific fund – a global grant, polio, or an area of focus within the World Fund.

Doug Whinnery

Vincent T. Luciano II, Regional Director for Central Texas Region

As Regional Director of the Central Texas Region, Vincent T. Luciano II will be responsible for coordinating all DPS functions, including personnel, for the region. Luciano began his career with DPS in 1995 and most recently served as the major of the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) in North Texas Region. Luciano has more than 27 years of service with DPS. He served as a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper from 1996 to 1998, and a Criminal Law Enforcement Trooper from 1998 to 2000. Luciano then promoted to sergeant in DPS Narcotics in Lubbock before promoting to lieutenant in 2007 in Corpus Christi. He was promoted to CID lieutenant, then captain, and in 2018 promoted again to major. Prior to his career with DPS, Luciano served two years with the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office where his assignments included jailer and sergeant.  

Luciano holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Norwich University and a master’s degree from the University of Incarnate Word in applied administration with a focus in organizational development. Luciano is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Class 257 and Northwestern Staff and Command College. He has been twice awarded Director’s Citations from DPS as well as the FBI Director’s Award. Luciano served in the United States Marine Corps, Army National Guard and is an Infantry Combat Veteran of Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom 3.

The San Antonio Region is 44 counties and has 11,000 Employees.

History of DPS

In March 1927, the "License and Weight Division" was formed to address the escalating problems of increased traffic, and the continual damages caused by large trucks on the narrow state roads. These new inspector positions were staffed by State Police units equipped with motorcycles, and would enforce motor vehicle laws and regulations. Concurrently, the Texas Rangers would continue to conduct the State's law enforcement investigations.

In 1931, during the Great Depression, Texas and other states created a movement that sought to “reform the administrative machinery, and to reduce the high cost of state government.”^[4] The Texas Legislature enrolled Griffenhagen and Associates, “specialists in public administration and finance who had worked on similar projects throughout the United States and Canada, to make a survey and act as consultants.”^[4] The firm concluded that Texas’ exceptional geographic size caused the Rangers and the License and Weight Division to struggle in providing adequate enforcement across the entire state. The firm also noted the State Highway Patrol’s inability to enforce felony charges, which burdened the Rangers with excessive enforcement responsibilities, when they were already overworked. Additionally, the firm negatively reported on the state of Texas utilizing the National Guard for law enforcement along the border. Recommendations were made to accumulate the necessary finances to create a state law enforcement agency. Four bureaus—Administration, State Police, Rangers, and Fire Prevention—were suggested to be created with the implementation of the new force.

The findings of Griffenhagen and Associates were ultimately unpopular across the state, and the Texas Senate created a committee to conduct its own survey of the State's law enforcement. As a result of the committee findings, on January 24, 1935, Senate Bill 146 was introduced. The bill created a "Department of Public Safety" that housed both the Rangers and the State Highway Patrol within one collective organization. The bill received final approval on February 18, 1935, and was sent to the House before finally reaching a joint committee for final revisions. On May 3, 1935, the final bill was voted on and passed, but without two-thirds approval.^[5]

 Vincent talked about drugs and criminals coming across the Texas border. As long as there is money to be made this will not change, The cartels don't care about anything but making money. He then answered questions from the members.

In January 2023 The Rotary Foundation Trustees established two temporary funds to assist Pakistan and Ukraine, two areas that are facing extreme need.

The Pakistan Flood Response Fund and the Ukraine Response Fund address the humanitarian crises caused by devastating flooding in Pakistan and the war in Ukraine. Donors can give directly to relief efforts led by Rotary members.

When I chose to become a ROTARIAN, I had a hope that in some modest way, I could go out & “make a difference” in this troubled world in which we live.  I choose Charity Navigator to guide my giving & as you noted, ROTARY comes up at the very Top of good folks to donate to.  Our efficiency of getting the funds to where the donors want is Stellar -  I suspect because of our international family of volunteers across the globe – like the people in OUR club.  ROTARY delivers! (as recognized by the Gates Foundation and others)

                                                                      **   Anonymous   **

 The Rotary Foundation has seven Areas of Focus. Global Grants must support one of the following Areas of Focus: Peacebuilding and conflict prevention; Disease prevention and treatment; Water, sanitation, and hygiene; Maternal and child health; Basic education and literacy; Community economic development; and Environment.

• Kerrville State Hospital

  11 yrs 5 mos11 yrs 5 

  • Superintendent

    Dec 2012 - Present · 9 yrs 8 mos
  • Assistant Superintendent

    Mar 2011 - Dec 2012 · 1 yr 10 mos
  • Program Director 
    Department of State Health Services, Texas Dec 2001 - Feb 2011 · 9 yrs 3 Months Harlingen, Texas

     

    University of Texas - History Link

    https://joeherringjr.blogspot.com/2019/02/a-kerrville-hospital-dedicated-to.html

     

    It was originally 800 acres and now its 113 acres.

     

     Kerrville State Hospital started out as a dude ranch called “My Ranch.” After the dude ranch closed, around 1915, a sanatorium opened on the site called “Mountain Park Sanatorium.” Dr. Sam E. Thompson purchased the property in 1917, and renamed it “Thompson Sanatorium.”

     

    In the 50's it was a Psychiatric Patients, But times were changing and then changed to geriatric patients.

     

    Change again came when they changed to two different types of Psychiatric people to treat: One is NGRI not guilty by reason of insanity after committing a felony.  Other type is NCST not competent to stand trial after committing a felony.

     

    2241 people are waiting in jails for places like this to open. Their problem is lack of nursing staff.  They are short 72 now.

     

    They also provide a laundry service for several other places. The output is 25,000 pounds a day. They need 17 people to run the service, they have 4 people.

     

    A few pics of the state hospital: