Veterans Affairs chief Anthony Principi Resigns

Veterans Affairs chief Anthony Principi Resigns

Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi told his staff he was resigning, a senior administration official said. Principi is the ninth member of Bush’s 15-person Cabinet to leave. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a decorated Vietnam veteran.

The White House was expected to announce his departure later in the day, NBC’s Norah O’Donnell reported. A nominee to succeed Principi, 60, as head of the federal government’s second-largest department was expected to be named soon, perhaps this week.

Principi appeared to be leaving the administration against his own wishes. He indicated in an interview last month with his hometown newspaper, the San Diego Union-Tribune, that he hoped to stay on for Bush’s second term……..

Principi has drawn criticism for suspending health care enrollments for some veterans and for approving plans to shut down some aging or underused VA hospitals.

But he was praised by veterans groups last month after announcing that that the VA was setting set aside up to $15 million for a year for research into so-called Gulf War Syndrome, expressly ruling out studies that sought to blame simple stress for the cluster of ailments.

Thousands of veterans of the first Gulf War have experienced undiagnosed illnesses, with symptoms such as chronic fatigue, loss of muscle control, diarrhea, migraines, dizziness, memory problems and loss of balance.

After disputing for many years that the illnesses were linked to the war, a VA panel found this year that the veterans’ illnesses could be linked to exposure to nerve gas and pesticides that military personnel encountered during the war.

A MESSAGE TO ALL VA EMPLOYEES FROM SECRETARY PRINCIPI

December 8, 2004

For me, time committed to the service of others, working shoulder-to-shoulder with capable and committed coworkers, is the most important attribute of a life well lived.  For the past 46 months I have been privileged to share with you our stewardship of VAs mission of service to veterans.  I am humbled to have worked side-by-side with you, the men and women who bring VA to life, as you demonstrated every day an all encompassing commitment to our mission and documented your skills in the changed lives of the veterans we serve.  Our mission is profoundly satisfying, and you earned your place in the first rank of competence and compassion.  

You rose to, and surmounted, the repeated challenges of our critical mission; overcoming changing circumstances and unexpected difficulties.   I stand in awe of the long hours, diligent attention to the highest standards, and commitment to constant improvement that defined our Department over the past four years.  Your record, in both our operating Administrations and our staff offices, is written in the text of increased access to ever higher quality healthcare, improved delivery of benefits and services, and the national shrines defining our cemetery system.  Your work illuminates the finest in public service and I know that whatever praise I hear of our Department was earned through your effort. 

I depart VA to take on new responsibilities and challenges moved by the service of the veterans we have been privileged to serve; and inspired by you, the men and women who serve them.  Thanks to you, the past 46 months define a chapter in my career and life, as well as for our Department, that must be marked down as well-lived.  I thank you for what you achieved and I am confident that you will continue to build on your record of success and service.  Thanks to you, I will be proud to answer to the title of former VA employee.

For the future, I wish you fair winds and following seas and I wish you well.

Thank you,  /s/ Anthony J. Principi