[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 52 (Monday, April 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E595]]


        TRIBUTE TO JAMES I. GRACYALNY, A DEDICATED CIVIL SERVANT

                                 ______


                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 22, 1996

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to James 
I. Gracyalny, the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget at 
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Jim is retiring after 35 years 
of Federal service.
  Jim has appeared many times before the Appropriations Subcommittee on 
VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies in defense of VA's budget requests. 
Over the years he has been of great assistance to the subcommittee in 
its day-to-day dealings with the Department. We have always valued his 
counsel.
  Jim is, I believe, a truly dedicated civil servant. His high 
standards represent what is best about the civil service.
  Mr. Gracyalny began his Federal service at the VA in 1964. During his 
32 years of service with the VA he has held a variety of positions. 
Since 1990, he has been Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Budget. Throughout his career, he has been a champion of his coworkers 
and has provided them with the inspiration to further their education 
and training.
  Mr. Gracyalny received his undergraduate degree at La Salle 
University. He received a masters in public administration from George 
Washington University. Jim served his country during the Korean war as 
a line medic in the Army and continued serving after active duty, 
retiring from the Army Reserve as a colonel.
  Mr. Speaker, Tuesday, April 30, 1996, is Jim's last day at VA. We 
will miss him. I know that you join me in wishing him and his wife, 
Barbara, a long, happy, and healthy retirement after 35 years of 
distinguished Federal service.

                          ____________________