[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 96 (Thursday, July 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
        BOB BENBOW--A CARING AND COMPASSIONATE VETERANS ADVOCATE

                                 ______


                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 21, 1994

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a caring and 
compassionate veterans advocate and a dedicated public servant. Sadly, 
this past month, the Los Angeles area veterans community lost this 
champion. But the legacy of his work remains as an inspiration for all 
of us.
  Robert V. ``Bob'' Benbow was the congressional liaison representative 
at the Los Angeles regional office of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs [VA]--a position which he had held since March of 1985 and a 
position in which he set an example for all public servants.
  Bob served all the congressional offices in the Los Angeles VA region 
and their constituencies--not an easy job. But his dedication to his 
responsibilities, as well as his commitment to service, earned him the 
respect and the admiration of all. Once at a congressional seminar held 
by another Federal agency, the complaint was made that the host agency 
was not as effective as it could be. When that agency's representative 
asked for an example of an effective agency, the audience responded 
spontaneously in unison, ``like Bob Benbow!''
  Bob understood that the VA is often a very confusing agency, even for 
seasoned congressional staff members, and he worked hard to make it 
more accessible and less intimidating. Bob established the 
congressional seminars that have become annual events at the Los 
Angeles VA office. The purpose of these seminars reflects the kind of 
service that Bob prided himself and his agency on delivering: 
comprehensive information about the VA's programs and easy access to 
key VA staff members. According to the case workers on my staff, after 
attending one of Bob's seminars, ``you could discuss a VA problem with 
a veteran and know what he was talking about.''
  Bob also implemented his own computer program to respond to 
congressional inquiries in a timely manner. As a result, congressional 
offices in the Los Angeles region have had a marked increase in their 
ability to serve their veterans constituency.
  Bob's understanding of the VA came from his personal experience as a 
veteran. After graduating from San Diego State University in 1964 with 
a bachelor's degree in social sciences, he joined the Air Force and 
served on active duty from October 20, 1964 through October 13, 1968. 
His service included a tour in Vietnam.
  Bob began his career with the VA in 1974 as a Veterans representative 
on campus at San Bernadino Valley College in southern California. In 
1976, Bob was reassigned to the Veterans services division in the Los 
Angeles regional office as Veterans Benefits Counselor. In 1985, he 
became the Los Angeles VA's Congressional Liaison Representative.
  We mourn Bob's passing and the loss that it means to the many he 
served. But we celebrate his spirit and enthusiasm. He defined service 
to others in a way that inspires us all. He will be missed.

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