[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL S. FINEGAN

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2008

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Mr. 
Michael S. Finegan for his service as the Director of Veteran Affairs 
Western New York Healthcare System. Mr. Finegan has truly made great 
strides for the veterans in the Western New York area.
   Mr. Finegan gained his Bachelor's Degree from Allegheny College, and 
later earned his Master's Degree in Public Administration from the Sate 
University of New York Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and 
Policy. Mr. Finegan has since achieved great things in the Department 
of Veterans Affairs.
   Mr. Finegan has taken on a variety of different roles throughout his 
tenure with the Department of Veterans Affairs. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. 
Finegan served as Chief Financial and Operations Officer for VA 
Healthcare Network Upstate New York, where he was personally 
responsible for the development, coordination and monitoring of the 
Network's financial management and operations. For the following three 
years, Mr. Finegan took the position of Director of the VA Medical 
Center in Butler, Pennsylvania, as well as lead director for Veterans 
Integrated Service Network 4.
   Since late 2003, Mr. Finegan has successfully served as Director of 
VA Western New York Healthcare System, during which time he served as 
Acting Director of the VA Healthcare Network for Upstate New York for a 
brief period in 2006. At the VA Western New York Healthcare System, Mr. 
Finegan led a staff of 1,750 employees who have provided the finest 
health care to more than 40,000 veterans of military service during the 
past year alone. He has also carried on the highly regarded clinical 
research and training programs for America's future health care 
contributors.
   Mr. Finegan is currently a member of the American College of 
Healthcare Executives, the Healthcare Financial Managers Association 
and the American Society of Public Administration. Mr. Michael S. 
Finegan is an innovative leader for veterans around the country, 
especially in the Western New York area. Madam Speaker, I ask you to 
join me in recognizing the many achievements of Mr. Finegan and wishing 
him luck in all future endeavors.

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