Dear Colleagues -

It is with great pleasure I announce the ACCA election results.

President - Tony Bruno
1st Vice - Dale Hale
2nd Vice - Dan Williams
Treasurer - Vance Drum
Secretary - Laurie Etter
Membership Secretary - Stephen Hall

I also would like to congratulate all our nominees who participated in the election:

Charles Tolbert, Robert Schulze and A.J. Sabree. These chaplains have made substantial sacrifices and critical contributions to the ACCA. Most notably, AJ Sabree has handled our fiancés in clear and transparent reporting and first rate administration. Also, we are grateful to the auditors Melvinia Parker, Charlotte White and Patty Cook, from CT, who tallied our ballots.

I would like to share just a few developments in correctional chaplaincy, the ACCA has been addressing:

• Responding to the State of Washington's DOC to eliminate a third of their chaplains. A sad commentary for a department known for excellence to fall to rock bottom. (See letter to Secretary Harold Washington)
• Signed on an amicus brief in Madison v. Riter filed in the fourth circuit with the Becket Fund.
• Are participating in two PBS specials about religion in prison especially Islam. One producer, Ginny Durrin of Durrin Production many of you met last summer. They should be aired in fall. We will post the exact time as soon as we know.
• Participating in a special Task Force on the Radicalization of Religion in Prisons sponsored by the Homeland Security Policy Institute of George Washington University
• An AJA workshop presentation on meeting the religious needs of all inmates. Successfully, we made the case for pluralism and professional correctional chaplaincy against volunteer ministers who only proselytize.

If at all possible please join us Charlotte, NC at the ACA Congress. Our general business meeting will be again on Sunday afternoon, August 13 at 1:30 in the Westin Providence Ballroom I.

I have been honored to serve as the ACCA President these past four years. During my term, I had the privilege of meeting many of our members who are the most dedicated and professional chaplains in prisons and jails across the country. THANK YOU

Peace Always,