[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 15, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE RETIREMENT OF CELIA DOLLARHIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2001

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, as all federal agencies are 
keenly aware, the government is losing many valued employees to 
retirement. Among them, one stands out for her dedication and 
commitment--Mrs. Celia Dollarhide, Director of Education Service at the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, who retired on May 3.
  Most veterans don't know Celia Dollarhide by name. Her leadership in 
setting policy, working with Congress, and ensuring that education 
benefits are paid has been felt by the hundreds of thousands of 
veterans and their survivors who received an education under one of the 
three GI Bills during her tenure.
  Celia Dollarhide has devoted her working life to federal service. 
After taking the federal entrance exam, Celia was highly sought by many 
federal agencies. Fortunately for veterans, she settled on the Veterans 
Administration. In 1966, Celia began her career as a claims examiner at 
the Chicago Regional Office, and in 1972 moved to Washington, DC, to 
work as an Education Specialist. By 1975, Celia was the Chief of the 
Program Administration Division in the Education Service. After various 
management positions within the Veterans Benefits Administration, she 
became the Deputy Director of the Education Service and in 1994, then-
Secretary Jesse Brown promoted her meritoriously to the Senior 
Executive Service. Celia has served the last six years as Director of 
Education Service.
  Throughout her career, Celia has received numerous awards and 
professional recognition due to her advocacy and leadership on behalf 
of veterans and their survivors. It is her core belief--that veterans 
could achieve so much more with an education--that has driven her to 
succeed at every turn. There is no way to count the number of people 
whose lives Celia has affected, and I wouldn't even begin to try.
  Mr. Speaker, Celia Dollarhide has met the highest standards to which 
civil servants can aspire. On behalf of the VA Committee and our staff, 
I say thank you to this remarkable professional.

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