[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S1378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM L. HODSON

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with many others in 
Utah who have expressed their appreciation to Bill Hodson, director of 
the Salt Lake City Veterans Medical Center.
  Bill recently retired after many years of faithful service to our 
Nation's veterans from New Jersey to Arizona, including the last 11 
years in Salt Lake City. These years have been ones of great 
accomplishment, not just for Bill personally, but for the VA. We have 
all, in one way or another, benefited from his innovation and 
determination. In 1992, Bill received the Secretary's Award for 
advancement in nursing programs.
  But, we in Utah owe Bill a particular debt of gratitude for his 
stewardship of our Salt Lake VA Medical Center. Bill Hodson led the way 
on a $30 million project to renovate the main building of the VA 
Medical Center for patient areas and ambulatory care clinics, 
successful management of a dynamic heart transplant program, and 
expanded research and training programs. The buildings and services 
that Bill has built will be a lasting legacy of Bill's leadership and 
commitment to public service.
  There can be no question that Bill was a highly able administrator; 
but, more importantly, his compassion and concern for others has earned 
him a special place in the hearts of veterans--and indeed all the 
citizens of Utah.
  Bill Hodson has been active in our community, particularly in the 
Greater Salt Lake Council of the Boy Scouts of America. This 
involvement clearly shows that he not only honors those citizens who 
have already contributed to our country, but also that he believes in 
our youth and their capacity for contributing to our future. We will 
miss him at the head of the Salt Lake VA Medical Center, but look 
forward to his continuing involvement in our community.
  I hope that as he reads this tribute, Bill is already sitting on a 
nice warm beach and enjoying the first well deserved fruits of 
retirement. I wish him all the best and hope my colleagues will join me 
in recognizing an exemplary public servant.

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