[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 73 (Friday, June 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1098]]
                   THE APPRECIATION OF JOSE CORONADO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 9, 2006

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in recognizing Mr. 
Jose Coronado, Director of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System 
to show our appreciation for his life long career in public service, 
culminating in ensuring the best possible health care to the veterans 
of South Texas.
  Mr. Coronado, a U.S. Army veteran who served as Battalion Operations 
Sergeant in the 11th Armored Calvary Division, was awarded both the 
Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
Outstanding Service Award.
  After his service in the Army, Jose received his B.S. in Chemistry 
and Zoology from Texas A&I-Kingsville, and went on to earn an M.S. in 
Education Administration there before receiving a M.H.A. in Hospital 
Administration from Baylor University.
  Jose Coronado then began his career in Veterans Administration to 
improve the care given to the thousands of Americans who risked their 
lives for this country. In 1962, he started with the Veterans 
Administration Medical Center in Houston, continuing his work in 
Kerrville, Texas.
  In 1973, Mr. Coronado became Assistant Director of the Audie L. 
Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio, Texas; two years 
later, he was appointed Hospital Director. There, he served America's 
veterans for 20 years, ensuring the efforts and sacrifices of America's 
warriors would not be forgotten. He contributed to saving the lives of 
countless veterans through improved services.
  When the Kerrville and Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospitals merged in 
1995, Jose Coronado directed the new South Texas Veterans Health Care 
System. He has overseen an extensive network of health care delivers 
and operated an intricate health care system with many varying 
divisions of expertise.
  As Director, Jose Coronado was recognized many times for the 
outstanding service he provided to America's veterans. He was awarded 
the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executives by both Ronald 
Reagan and George Bush. In 1999, President Bill Clinton presented Mr. 
Coronado with the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Executives.
  While Jose received countless awards over the years, his 
distinguished character and his quiet ability to find solutions for our 
veterans were central to his dedicated service to the South Texas 
Veterans Health Care System.
  I ask the House of Representatives to join me today in celebrating 
Mr. Jose Coronado's commitment to those veterans who dedicated their 
lives for American freedom. His tireless efforts have provided the 
medical assistance that South Texas veterans earned from uniformed 
service to our country.

                          ____________________