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DEMOCRATIC PRESS RELEASE
July 17, 2007
Nicholson to leave VA and Return to the Private Sector
Under his Leadership, VA Makes Strides in
Health Care and IT Modernization
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jim Nicholson announced today he has
tendered his resignation to President George W. Bush, effective no later
than October 1, 2007.
Under Nicholson’s leadership, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
continued its evolution as a leader in health care innovations, medical
research, education services, home loan and other benefits to veterans.
He transformed the VA health care system to meet the unique medical
requirements of the returning combatants from Iraq and Afghanistan.
In his letter of resignation, Nicholson praised and thanked the
President for the honor of serving him and our Nation’s veterans in this
key post at such a “critical time in our nation’s global war on terror.”
“The VA is a dynamic organization dedicated to serving our nation’s
finest citizens – our veterans,” Nicholson said. “It has been an honor
and privilege to lead the VA during this historic time for our men and
women who have worn the uniform. We have accomplished so much and the VA
is always striving to improve our services to veterans.”
Nicholson said he wants to return to the private sector. “This coming
February, I turn 70 years old, and I feel it is time for me to get back
into business, while I still can.” He said he has no definite plans at
this time.
He also addressed an assembled group of Washington VA employees and
those watching around the country on VA’s closed-circuit television. In
his message to employees, Nicholson told them how privileged he felt to
have worked with them in fulfilling our nation’s promises and
obligations to its veterans.
“VA has come a long way in meeting the growing needs and expectations of
our veterans and you deserve the credit,” Nicholson said.
Nicholson, a Vietnam Veteran, was sworn in as Secretary of Veterans
Affairs on February 1, 2005.
During Secretary Nicholson’s tenure at the Department of Veterans
Affairs:
* Directed each of our veterans of the global war on terror who come to
the VA for any kind of care to be carefully screened for brain damage (TBI)
and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
* Hired 100 new Outreach Coordinators to provide services to returning
OIF/OEF veterans. The new coordinators are located in Vet Centers
throughout the country especially near our military processing stations.
* Created a new Advisory Committee on OIF/OEF Veterans and their
families to advise him on ways to improve programs serving OIF/OEF
veterans.
* Directed the Veterans Benefits Administration to give priority to
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF)
veterans in its compensation and pension claim system.
* Launched a major information technology transformation in the VA with
the way it uses and safeguards personal and health information of
veterans.
* Created a new Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness to deal
with emergency planning and security.
* Initiated the overhaul of the VA’s vast contracting and acquisitions
systems.
* Created a blue ribbon Genomic Research Advisory Committee to use the
VA’s expansive medical data holdings to advance the science of
predictive medicine.
* Commenced a major campaign to reduce the high rate of diabetes in
veterans.
* Launched a national effort in the Veterans Health Administration to
eradicate staph infections in VA hospitals.
* Approved 82 new Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) to bring VA
top notch care closer to the veterans who have earned it.
* Created a new multi-campus Nursing Academy through partnership with
the nursing schools throughout the country to help address a shortage of
nurses within the VA and nationwide.
* Directed the hiring of suicide prevention counselors at each of VA’s
153 facilities to strengthen one of the nation’s largest mental health
programs. He also established a 24-hour national suicide prevention
hotline that will be operational by the end of July 2007.
* Hired 100 new Patient Care Advocates to help severely injured veterans
and their families manage VA’s system for health care and financial
benefits.
* Led the President’s recent Task Force on Returning Global War on
Terror Heroes to improve the delivery of federal services and benefits
to Global War on Terror service members and veterans.
“This is a very big Government agency that, among many other things,
sees over 1 million patients a week in its health care system, and is
doing a world class job,” Nicholson said. “The American people can feel
proud about the way we are treating our veterans. The President and the
Congress have been very supportive and for that I am grateful as well.”
Nicholson thanked the President, “he has given me terrific opportunities
to serve my country and under his strong and supportive leadership, it
has been a real privilege.”
Nicholson left the private business world over 10 years, where he ran a
successful residential development and construction company. He was
elected Chairman of the Republican National Committee in January 1997.
Immediately prior to becoming Secretary, he served as the U.S.
Ambassador to the Holy See.
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Larry Scott
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