<PAGE>
Exhibit (j) 2
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT SM&R INVESTMENTS, INC., a Maryland
corporation, and its undersigned officers and Directors each hereby nominate,
constitute and appoint MICHAEL W. MCCROSKEY its/his/her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, for it/him/her and on its/his/her name, place and
stead in any and all capacities, to make, execute and sign all amendments to
the Fund's Registration on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, and to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the
offer and sale of shares of the Funds, such amendments, and any and all
amendments and supplements thereto, and any and all exhibits and other
documents requisite in connection therewith granting unto said attorney, full
power and authority to do and perform each and every act necessary and/or
appropriate as fully to all intents and purposes as the Fund and the
undersigned Officers and Directors themselves might or could do.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund has caused this power of attorney to be
executed in its name by its President and attested by its Secretary, and the
undersigned Officers and Directors have hereunto set their hands this 16th
day of November, 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ATTEST: SM&R INVESTMENTS, INC.
<S> <C>
/s/ Teresa E. Axelson /s/ Michael W. McCroskey
----------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Teresa E. Axelson, Secretary Michael W. McCroskey, President
SM&R Investments, Inc.
/s/Michael W. McCroskey /s/ Brenda T. Koelemay
----------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Michael W. McCroskey, President & Brenda T. Koelemay, Treasurer, Principal Financial &
Principal Executive Officer Accounting Officer
/s/ Ernest S. Barratt /s/ Edwin K. Nolan
----------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Ernest S. Barratt, Ph.D., Director Edwin K. Nolan, Director
/s/ Jack T. Currie /s/ Robert V. Shattuck Jr.
----------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Jack T. Currie, Director Robert V. Shattuck Jr., Director
/s/ Lea McLeod Matthews /s/ Donald P. Stevens
----------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Lea McLeod Matthews, Director Donald P. Stevens, Director
/s/ Michael W. McCroskey /s/ Steven H. Stubbs
----------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Michael W. McCroskey, Director Steven H. Stubbs, Director
/s/ Ann McLeod Moody /s/ Jamie G. Williams
----------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Ann McLeod Moody, Director Jamie G. Williams, Director
/s/ Frank P. Williamson
-----------------------------------------------------------
Frank P. Williamson, Director
</TABLE>