[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 101 (Wednesday, July 16, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7618-S7619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE SIOUX FALLS VA MEDICAL AND REGIONAL OFFICE CENTER

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to offer my 
congratulations to Director R. Vincent Crawford and his staff at the VA 
Medical and Regional

[[Page S7619]]

Office Center [VAMROC] in Sioux Falls on receiving the Disabled 
American Veterans' 1997 Large Employer of the Year Award. This award is 
a testament to VAMROC's continuing efforts to hire disabled veterans, 
and I am honored that VAMROC's work was recognized by DAV.
  This national award is presented annually by the DAV to a business 
with more than 200 employees who assertively hire disabled veterans. 
The center's Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling Division provides 
veterans with valuable work experience and training positions, which 
opens up new employment opportunities within South Dakota's VA medical 
centers, and with the private sector. The per capita rate of veterans 
placed in employment by the VAMROC's Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Counseling Division leads the Veterans Benefits Administration Regional 
Offices in this category.
  The VAMROC works in conjunction with the local union representing its 
employees to ensure that disabled veterans will receive consideration 
for job openings at VAMROC. Recent veterans employment statistics show 
that of VAMROC's 704 employees, 219 were veterans for a 31-percent 
employment rate. Of these 219 veterans, 60 were disabled veterans and 
163 were Vietnam era veterans.
  Mr. President, I always have felt that veterans in South Dakota are 
extremely fortunate to have such high quality facilities, doctors, 
staff, and administrators at our VA hospitals that provide care second 
to none. VAMROC certainly exemplifies this commitment to our veterans. 
Our veterans made a commitment to their Nation, trusting that when they 
needed help, the Nation would honor that commitment. VAMROC's 
leadership and dedication is an example of how our Nation can best 
serve the needs of our veterans. Again, I congratulate Director 
Crawford and his staff at VAMROC on receiving this award of 
accomplishment, and I thank them for their continued service to South 
Dakota's veterans.

                          ____________________