[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 2 (Friday, January 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E22]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO DALE DEMERS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 4, 2007

  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dale E. Demers 
on the occasion of his retirement from the Department of Veterans 
Affairs Regional Office at Togus, Maine after more than 30 years of 
dedicated service. Dale will be greatly missed, and I join his many 
friends, co-workers and the veterans he served in wishing him the best 
of luck in the next phase of his life.
  Dale's service to our country began in 1968, when he joined the U.S. 
Air Force. He began his VA career at the Togus Regional office in 1972 
as a GS-1 Clerk. Dale has held several positions at Togus including 
Adjudicator, Supervisory Adjudicator, Assistant Service Center Manager, 
Service Center Manager, Assistant Center Director for Regional Office 
Activities, and most recently as the Director for the Regional Office.
  While working full time at Togus, Dale went back to school and in 
1977 received a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of 
Maine.
  During Dale's career, he has been involved in many VBA initiatives. 
He was instrumental in Togus being chosen as a resource center site. 
The Togus Resource Center has been a huge success and has exceeded its 
goal every month since its inception. Dale was also extremely involved 
in the development of the current Claims Processing Improvement (CPI) 
Initiative, which has assisted VBA national in reducing both the 
duration of the response and backlog of claims processing.
  Dale will be missed for his dedication and for his compassion by the 
veterans of Maine. I am pleased to join his colleagues, his family, and 
his friends in congratulating Dale on this milestone. I wish him a 
rewarding and enjoyable retirement.

                          ____________________