[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E42]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF JOHN ``CHIP'' ROBERTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2002

  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of 
John ``Chip'' Roberts, Director of the Colorado Division of State and 
Veterans Nursing Homes.
  John ``Chip'' Roberts retired on January 15, 2002. He served older 
Americans for nearly twenty-two years. For the past eleven years, Chip 
worked for the Colorado Department of Human Services as Director of the 
Colorado Division of State and Veterans Nursing Homes. Previously, he 
worked in the private sector as both a nursing home administrator and a 
regional director. As Division Director of the Colorado State and 
Veterans Homes, Mr. Roberts oversaw the operations of five State 
nursing facilities totaling 582 beds. Four of the State homes provide 
skilled nursing care to military veterans and their spouses and widows. 
Under Mr. Roberts' leadership, the State homes program made numerous 
improvements in service delivery. Chip was always quick to credit the 
dedicated staff at each facility for the overall success of the 
program.
  Since 1997, in response to legislation authorizing the construction 
of a new State veterans home at the former Fitzsimons Army Medical 
Center in Aurora, Colorado, Chip was deeply involved in the design and 
development of the new 180 bed facility. Throughout the project, Chip 
continually encouraged the need to be highly flexible in the design in 
order to allow for the future health care needs of the residents. In 
addition, to skilled nursing care, the Fitzsimons facility will offer 
dementia services and adult day care.
  During his years of service to the State of Colorado, Chip's 
dedication to veterans and their families was readily apparent. He made 
frequent presentations to publicize the State and veterans homes 
programs and to inform various organizations of the services available. 
He has been steadfast in his commitment to ``serve those who have 
served.''
  Chip and his wife of twenty-seven years, Judith, are looking forward 
to retirement with the shared desire to continue serving others, 
especially in their local church and the city of Arvada. The Roberts' 
have one daughter, Vanessa, a recent graduate from the University of 
Colorado at Boulder. Besides volunteer service, Chip is looking forward 
to enjoying the great Colorado outdoors: hiking, hunting, and fishing. 
I wish them Godspeed.

                          ____________________