[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 16, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H3149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO THE LATE JOSEPH L. MOORE, DIRECTOR OF CHICAGO VA HEALTH CARE 
                                 SYSTEM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Sherwood). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a man 
who could be called the personification of a smooth, effective and 
loyal bureaucrat but also a dedicated protector and promoter of health 
care for veterans. Joseph L. Moore began his career with the Veterans 
Affairs Department as a clerk typist but ended it as director of the 
Lakeside and Westside Veterans' Administration Hospitals in Chicago, 
Illinois.
  Born in Ripley, Tennessee and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. 
Moore worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs for more than 40 
years. He came to Chicago in 1979 to take over as director of the VA 
Lakeside Medical Center. He became director of the Chicago VA Health 
Care System in 1996 when Lakeside administration merged with the 
Westside VA Medical Center. He was instrumental in facilitating the 
merger. That will stand as one of his final achievements in the 
Veterans' Administration. This merger is reported to have saved 
millions of dollars for U.S. taxpayers.
  When Mr. Moore came to Lakeside, the hospital was in need of strong 
leadership, which he provided. He redid Lakeside and turned it around 
so that the veterans and their families could be well received and well 
treated. Just before his death, Mr. Moore was scheduled to receive an 
award from the Chicago Federal executive board for distinguished 
services. He served two terms as chairman of the Chicago Federal 
executive board.
  Over 40 years, Joseph Moore championed quality health care services 
for all veterans. His commitment to the veteran community was without 
reservation. His integrity and intellect gained him the respect of 
medical professionals throughout the world. In every endeavor, he 
demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism and dedication to 
the public and to Federal employees.
  Mr. Moore received the Distinguished Executive Presidential Rank 
award, the highest award given to a civilian employee of the Federal 
Government, from President Ronald Reagan. He was also the first 
nonphysician to receive the Distinguished Service award from 
Northwestern University's Department of Medicine.
  He dedicated his life to providing good health care for veterans. As 
director of Lakeside Medical Center, Mr. Moore was a member of the 
board of directors for Northwestern University's McGaw Medical Center.
  He leaves a legacy of dedication and service to veterans. I am 
pleased to have known and to have worked with him as he went about the 
business of protecting and promoting the highest level and quality of 
health care for men and women who had dedicated and given their lives 
in the service of this country.

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