[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO MR. VINCENT L. BARILE, DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY FOR MEMORIAL 
                                AFFAIRS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 25, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Mr. Vincent L. Barile, Deputy Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, who 
retired after 28 years of service at the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, VA.
  Vince began his career with VA in 1975 as a veterans' benefits 
counselor. In 1976, he transferred to the Budget Service in VA's 
central office. From 1979 to 1984, he served as a budget analyst in the 
Veterans Health Administration, where he rose to supervisor of budget 
formulation and operations.
  In 1984, Vince joined the National Cemetery Administration, NCA, as 
the director of budget and planning. In this position he was 
responsible for the formulation and implementation of the annual 
budget, all planning activities, and other activities including 
emergency preparedness, energy conservation and safety programs. The 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs promoted Vince to Deputy Under Secretary 
for Management for NCA in 1990.
  In 2002, Vince was appointed Deputy Under Secretary for Memorial 
Affairs. In this capacity, Vince oversaw budget and planning, 
information systems, communications, human resources, administration, 
contracting, memorial programs, state cemetery grants, and operations 
and construction for 120 national cemeteries. Vince testified before 
the Veterans' Affairs Committee frequently on memorial affairs issues, 
where he brought extensive knowledge and experience to the witness 
table.
  When asked what they will remember most about Vince Barile, employees 
he supervised say that he was a mentor and a teacher. He often 
conducted impromptu sessions in the hallways, always credited his 
employees for their work, and helped them find opportunities to learn. 
As evidence of the high regard he had for his employees, Vince summed 
up his remarks at his farewell party by saying that his Exceptional 
Service Award was not his award, but one in recognition of all his 
employees. He noted that if his career was considered successful, it 
was because of the people who worked for and with him. He then 
applauded his staff.
  With Vince's retirement, VA is losing vast institutional knowledge 
and a real friend to America's veterans. Thank you, Vince, for your 28 
years of dedicated service to the Department of Veterans Affairs and 
the Nation.

                          ____________________