[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO JOHN H. SIMS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2007

  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate John (Jack) 
Sims on the occasion of his retirement from the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, after more than 35 years of dedicated service. Jack 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.
  Jack's service to our country began in 1963, when he joined the 
United States Army. He began his VA career at the Martinez, California 
VA Medical Center in 1971 as an accountant trainee. Jack has held many 
positions in the VA across the country including Chief of Fiscal 
Service at VA Medical Centers in Washington, Illinois and California; 
Associate Center Director at VA Medical Centers in Oregon and New York; 
and Health System Administrator with Veterans Health Services and 
Research Administration in Albany, New York.
  For the past 17 years, Jack has served as the Director of the Togus 
VA Medical Center. Under his leadership, the number of Maine veterans 
receiving care at Togus has increased from 13,000 to 33,000. Jack has 
also supervised the creation, relocation and renovations of six 
community-based outpatient clinics and two off-site mental health 
clinics to care for Maine's rural veteran population.
  As Director, Jack and his dedicated staff of more than 1,000 VA 
employees have helped transform the Togus VA Medical Center into one of 
the best medical centers in the VA system.
  Jack 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 Jack on this milestone. I wish him a 
rewarding and enjoyable retirement.

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