[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF MARLAN WALDROP

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2017

  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor a beloved 
public servant, Marlan Waldrop. After a long and valiant battle with 
cancer, she is now at peace. Ms. Waldrop served for the last three 
years as the Director of the Veterans Benefits Administration, Houston 
Regional Office. As Director of the Houston Regional Office, Marlan was 
responsible for administering approximately two hundred nineteen 
million dollars each month in federal benefits to nearly eight hundred 
thousand veterans and their families living in ninety South Texas 
Counties, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
   Ms. Waldrop began her VA service in December 1990 as a Veterans 
Service Representative in the Education Division of the Atlanta 
Regional Processing Office. During her twenty-seven years of VA 
service, Marlan served in numerous leadership roles including: 
Instructor for the Challenge 2001 veteran service representative 
training, Assistant Deputy Director of the Tiger Team in Cleveland, 
Ohio (2004-2005), Louisville Veterans Service Center Manager (2005-
2007), Assistant Director of the Montgomery VA Regional Office (2007-
2011), and as Director of the San Juan VA Regional Office (2011-2014).
   Ms. Waldrop came to work for the VA because she needed a job, but 
found a career that allowed her to help improve the lives of our 
nation's veterans. She empowered her staff ``to do what is right for 
the veteran'' and to make the VA a welcoming place. She ensured that 
her outreach team was accessible to veterans beyond the walls of a VA 
facility. Marlan is survived by her son, Josh, six hundred sixty 
dedicated employees at the Houston VA Regional Office, and family and 
friends.
   On behalf of a grateful nation and the tens of thousands of veterans 
whose lives were better because of her work on their behalf, I rise to 
remember Ms. Waldrop and her many years of devoted service to our 
nation's veterans.

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