[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 74 (Thursday, May 26, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S3423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO PETER HENRY

 Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. President, today I wish to 
recognize the career of a dedicated public servant. Peter P. Henry is 
retiring as director of the Black Hills VA Health Care System in early 
July, concluding a career in Federal service that spans 41 years in the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. Peter has spent two lengthy stints at 
the helm of the Black Hills VA, totaling 16 years of service.
  I commend Peter for his dedication, professionalism and steadfast 
commitment to veterans and their families. I have always appreciated 
the efforts of the men and women who work in the Black Hills VA Health 
Care System and exemplify the VA's ``Veterans Come First'' mission. 
Patient satisfaction numbers have remained high during Peter's 
leadership at the Black Hills VA, a testimony to the dedicated work of 
the staff and administrators at the Hot Springs and Fort Meade 
facilities.
  Over his career, Peter has witnessed a number of changes in the VA 
system and has deftly guided and implemented these changes within the 
Black Hills VA. He worked to merge the Hot Springs VA and Fort Meade VA 
systems into one collective organization, the Black Hills VA health 
care system. This action provided a number of challenges including 
condensing dual missions at two campuses into one mission spanning two 
facilities.
  During his many years of service in the Black Hills, Peter has worked 
diligently to provide VA services to South Dakota veterans who would 
otherwise not receive such important care. The number of community 
based outreach clinics, CBOCs, in the Black Hills VA system has 
increased during Peter's tenure. Veterans living in rural and 
reservation areas of South Dakota have much better access to VA health 
care and specialty services through the CBOCs. The needs of rural and 
reservation veterans must continue to be addressed so that access to 
quality VA care is preserved and maintained.
  In 1995, Peter provided key leadership with the opening of the Rapid 
City Community Based Outreach Clinic, CBOC, at a small facility on the 
South Dakota National Guard's Camp Rapid campus. In a joint agreement 
between the Guard and the VA, veterans in Rapid City were able to save 
on mileage and receive routine levels of care. It wasn't long before VA 
officials realized that the facility was too small to meet the growing 
demands of veterans in the Rapid City area. A larger facility was 
opened near private community-based medical facilities. As Peter's 
career comes to a close, he continues to work to improve the Rapid City 
CBOC.
  Like many agencies, the VA has been asked to do more with less over 
the years. The Black Hills VA continues to face challenges as it works 
to meet the complex needs of our ever growing veterans population, 
including women veterans, younger veterans, veterans with traumatic 
brain injuries, post traumatic stress disorder and other illnesses. I 
commend Peter's ability to address these challenges and ensure that 
South Dakota's veterans are provided the quality care they deserve.
  I have always appreciated Peter's insight and input on issues 
impacting the VA Health Care System, the Black Hills VA, and veterans 
in general. I congratulate Peter on his many years of federal service 
and applaud him for his passionate work on behalf of veterans and their 
families. I wish Peter and his wife Sharon all the best in his 
retirement.

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