TEXAS COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS
HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS
NOVEMBER 15-16, 2002

The November Texas Council of Chapters meeting is scheduled for November 15- 16, 2002 and will be hosted by the East Texas Chapter in Huntsville, Texas. Huntsville is located at the intersection of I-45 and Highway 30 approximately 1 hour north of Houston. The following information should assist in your attendance planning:

Motel:

• Twenty rooms have been reserved at the Huntsville Comfort Inn, 160 I-45 South. Please call (936) 438-8400 NLT Friday, November 1st for reservations. Rates are $62.10 plus tax and include a continental breakfast. Mention that you are with The Retired Officers Association.
• The Comfort Inn is located on the frontage road on the east side of I-45 near the El Chico Restaurant. If going north on I-45 take exit 114 and go approximately 1.5 miles on the frontage road. If going south on I-45 take exit 114, turn left at the first light and cross over to the other side of I-45. Turn left on the frontage road and go north approximately 1 mile. If you use Highway 30 to travel to Huntsville go south on I-45 to exit 114, and proceed as above.

November 15th Dinner:

• The dinner will be held at the Elkins Lake Golf Club. Call (936) 294-0630 or E-mail bbyrne@myriad.net NLT November 12 for reservations. Social Hour will be at 1800 with dinner at 1900. Cost is $ 17.00 per person payable in cash or check to ETCMOAA upon arrival. Coat and tie for gentlemen / comparable dress for ladies.
• Elkins Lake is located approximately 3 miles south of Huntsville. From Huntsville, take I-45 South to the 112 exit, travel south on the frontage road for approximately 1 mile and turn right into Elkins Lake on Augusta Drive. Follow Augusta Drive approximately 1 mile to the first stop sign. The clubhouse and pro shop are across the street. From south of Huntsville, take I-45 to the 109 exit, cross under I-45 and drive north on the west frontage road to the entrance to Elkins Lake. Proceed as above.

November 16th Council Meeting:

• The meeting will be held at 0830 hours in the Comfort Inn Conference Room. The agenda will be as prescribed by the Council President. Coffee, juice and pastries will be available.

Other Activities:

• Prison Tour: A tour of the Huntsville Prison Unit (also known as the Walls) is scheduled at 1300 hours on November 15th. If you are interested call Wendell Stewart, 936-437-1702 (office) or 936-294-9314 (home) or send an e-mail to mwstewart@txucom.net by November 1, 2002 to sign up. The tour group size is limited and reservations will be taken on a "first come, first serve basis". Failure to sign up in advance and to comply with the enclosed Tour Information will preclude your participation in the tour. The Walls Unit is located on 12th Street between H and I Avenues. Parking is available, but limited, at the corner of 12th Street and I Avenue. Please allow plenty of time to assemble in front of the unit by 1245 hours.
• Golf: Call Bud Byrne at (936) 294-0630 or E-mail bbyrne@myriad.net NLT Monday November 12, if you wish to play golf Friday afternoon on the Elkins Lake Golf Course. Golfers will meet at the Elkins Lake Pro Shop at 1230 hours.

"Tourist Sites":

• Prison Museum: A new prison museum will open for the first time on the afternoon of November 15th. The museum is located at 491 Highway 75. If traveling north or south on I-45 take exit 118 and follow Highway 75 into Huntsville. As you travel east the museum is located on the south side of the road approximately ¼ mile from I-45. The museum contains memorabilia and historical facts about correctional officers and inmates of the Texas prison system.
• Sam Houston Memorial Museum: 1836 Sam Houston Ave (South Highway 75). Hours: 0900 - 16:30. Extensive information on the life of Sam Houston.
• Veterans Museum: West Hill Mall, 1600 Financial Plaza (Highway 30). Hours: 1000 - 1700. Displays featuring Walker County veterans who have served in the military since World War I.
• Antique Shops: Multiple antique shops are located around courthouse square at Highway 30 & Sam Houston Ave (South Highway 75).

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
TOUR INFORMATION

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice will schedule group tours Monday through Friday for law enforcement organizations, grand jury panels, high schools, colleges, universities, and special interest groups.

Tours are generally for persons age 18 and above; however, high school groups may tour with the Regional Director's and Warden's/Facility Administrator's approval.

Tours should be requested at least 30 days in advance.

Group size will normally be restricted to a maximum of twenty-five (25)

All tour participants must have photo identification for entry to a facility.

Tours are generally scheduled for two hours in length between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and may be extended at the warden's discretion.

Tour groups should assemble at the facility before the scheduled tour time. It is at the discretion of the TDCJ Warden/Facility Administrator to allow participants arriving late to be permitted to join a tour in progress.

Appropriate dress is required for all tour participants. Shorts/cutoffs, tank tops, T-shirts (underwear type), sleeveless tops, fishnet shirts/see- through fabrics, skirts and blouses with an open midriff, and sandals without socks or hose are prohibited. Men must wear long pants and women may wear dresses/skirts (appropriate length), or long pants. Capri pants, tights/leggings will not be allowed. Caps and hats are prohibited. Dresses or skirts must be no more than three inches above the middle of the knee. Shirts or other articles of clothing with pictures or language, which may be considered profane or offensive by current public standards, will not be allowed. Individuals who do not comply with these standards will not be permitted on a tour.

Participants are requested to remain together in a group and follow the instructions of the TDCJ tour coordinator for safety and security reasons. No cameras, purses, briefcases, cellular phones, magazines, tobacco products (state property/facilities are tobacco free environments), packages or similar items may be carried into the facility unless authorized by the unit warden or tour coordinator.

Relatives or close friends of offenders will not be permitted to tour the facility under any circumstances without prior approval of the warden.

Persons who do not follow the rules will be escorted from the facility.

Tours will be subject to cancellation and rescheduling based on safety and security requirements of the facility or other unpredictable acts or incidents that may arise.