[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 15, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E795-E796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RETIREMENT OF CELIA DOLLARHIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2001

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, last week marked the retirement of Celia 
Dollarhide, longtime Director of the Education Service for the U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs. Like most people, I don't like telling 
friends goodbye. And Celia has been an incredibly helpful friend to me 
and to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs over the years. Most 
importantly however, Celia has been an unwavering friend to the men and 
women who have served our Nation in uniform.
  Mrs. Dollarhide has served veterans faithfully for almost 35 years, 
all of which have been with VA's Veterans Benefits Administration 
(VBA). She has achieved a remarkable record of accomplishment in the 
education program. From processing individual education claims for 
veterans to managing the administration of entire benefit structures, 
Mrs. Dollarhide's career has been devoted over time to three different 
GI Bill programs. Prior to her management role at VBA, she began her 
career at the Chicago Regional Office in 1966 as a Veterans Claims 
Examiner. She then became an Education Specialist when she moved to 
Washington, DC in 1972.
  From 1975 to 1980, Mrs. Dollarhide served as Chief of the Education 
Service's Program Administration Division. Throughout the 1980's, she 
assumed the roles of Administrative Officer for VA's Central Region and 
Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief Benefits Director for Program 
Management. She returned to the Education Service in 1990 as its Deputy 
Director. In 1994 our former Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jesse 
Brown, had the wisdom to bring Mrs. Dollarhide into the Senior 
Executive Service. Since that time, she has excelled in her role as 
Director for the Education Service.
  Above all else, Celia Dollarhide has always believed in the power of 
higher education. As a major proponent of enhanced education benefits 
for veterans and as a caring administrator, her career stands as a 
testament to the notion of individual empowerment. Her life's work has 
focused on empowering the brave men and women who defend this country 
to become more and achieve more than they ever could have without 
education.
  The VA education benefits that Mrs. Dollarhide has so masterfully 
administered have helped countless thousands of veterans and 
servicemembers to make their dreams a

[[Page E796]]

reality. I can say this from experience, as I myself have directly 
benefited from VA education benefits under the GI Bill program. In this 
regard, I want to personally thank my friend Celia--for her tireless 
energy, for her unwavering advocacy efforts and for her leadership.
  At VA, Mrs. Dollarhide has spent her working days seated behind the 
large lawyer's desk that used to belong to her late husband, Charles 
``Lew'' Dollarhide. Mr. Dollarhide also served as VA's Director of the 
Education Service from 1980 to 1986. Mrs. Dollarhide's service and that 
of her husband have been an exemplary contribution to public service by 
two remarkable people. For the betterment of veterans and their 
families, Celia Dollarhide leaves behind an outstanding record of 
achievement at VA and for this we are all grateful. Thank you, Mrs. 
Dollarhide, and best regards to you in your well deserved retirement.

                          ____________________