AP News, September 25th, 2007
Resigning VA Secretary Jim Nicholson expressed his gratitude Tuesday to injured veterans and the embattled government agency that tends to them, saying their commitment has been unfaltering during times of war.
In his final address to Veterans Affairs employees before stepping down this week, Nicholson said he always strove to do his best to do right by veterans during his 2 1/2 year tenure in the face of growing challenges due to a burgeoning Iraq war.
Describing his many visits to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and elsewhere, Nicholson said he hopeful that the VA will continue working tirelessly to meet the growing demands of injured veterans seeking mental health care and timely disability benefits.
"You are a dedicated group of people possessed with extremely compassionate hearts for veterans coupled with great, great competence," Nicholson said.
Speaking of war veterans, he said: "There is no way we can adequately thank them. But I think we do go a long way in providing them care and benefits."
Nicholson, a Vietnam War veteran and former Republican National Committee chairman, announced in July he was quitting amid intense scrutiny following reports of substandard treatment at the Pentagon-run Walter Reed and at VA facilities.
His last business work day is Friday before his tenure expires Oct. 1. VA Deputy Secretary Gordon Mansfield will become acting VA secretary in his place, pending a nomination of a new VA secretary by President Bush.
In recent days, Nicholson has acknowledged the VA still has a lot of work to do to reduce severe backlogs in disability benefits and has apologized to veterans who might have "slipped through the cracks."
Nicholson, 69, was honored at a farewell ceremony attended by several lawmakers, former VA secretaries Anthony Principi and Togo West, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp, former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan., and businessman H. Ross Perot.
VA Deputy Secretary Gordon Mansfield praised Nicholson as a "man of sincerity."
During his 20-minute address, a pensive Nicholson thanked his wife, Suzanne, and Bush for their support.
He expressed some wistfulness about leaving his position and said he had not determined his future plans, expressing confidence that things will work out. He has ruled out a future political bid.
"We won't spend the whole time in the rocking chair," Nicholson said.
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