[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 84 (Monday, May 20, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2959-S2960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CHRISTOPHER E. O'CONNOR

  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, today I am proud to recognize in the 
Record the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, Principal Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for the Office of Congressional and Legislative 
Affairs, OCLA, Christopher E. O'Connor, in honor of his upcoming 
retirement. Mr. O'Connor recently received the VA's Exceptional Service 
Award for his long record of service to our Nation's veterans.
  Mr. O'Connor has advised four VA Secretaries, four acting VA 
Secretaries, and their legislative teams as

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they have worked with Congress to make a stronger and more effective 
department for America's veterans. He has provided continuity in the 
Department's communication with Congress during the shift of executive 
administrations.
  Most recently, Mr. O'Connor worked with our committee on the VA 
MISSION Act, which is a major reform in veterans' healthcare. He also 
helped inform Members of Congress about the need to modernize the 
department's antiquated electronic health records system, and he played 
a key role as the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act 
made its way through Congress.
  Under his leadership, Mr. O'Connor and his team prepared VA's senior 
leaders to successfully participate in more than 400 congressional 
hearings. Their office also coordinated thousands of informational 
briefings to Members of Congress, committee staff, and personal staff 
that advanced VA's message and priorities.
  Upon his upcoming retirement, Mr. O'Connor leaves the Department with 
an important legacy. In 2017, Mr. O'Connor spearheaded the 
Congressional Fellowship Program, which places VA employees in a 
yearlong fellowship position in the office of a Member of Congress.
  Today, I am honored to pay tribute to Mr. O'Connor for his service to 
our country and his steadfast commitment to advocating on behalf of 
veterans throughout his career. Congratulations to Mr. O'Connor on his 
lasting legacy of advocacy for veterans, and I wish him the best in his 
retirement.

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