[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 903-904]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SERVICE OF THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS ANTHONY J. PRINCIPI

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I am pleased to honor Secretary 
Principi for his diligent and effective tenure as the Secretary of the 
Department of Veterans' Affairs. Secretary Principi has served our 
Nation during a historic time, and has done an impressive job with one 
of the most challenging positions in the government. I am proud to have 
worked with him.
  When I travel around the State of Texas, I am reminded of the work 
Secretary Principi has done on behalf of veterans. He was always 
available to discuss the needs of Texas veterans and provided an open 
dialogue to our communities. I am particularly grateful for the time he 
spent with me touring VA facilities in Texas to learn what was 
important to our veterans. Over the years, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs and the veterans it serves have been severely challenged by the 
skyrocketing costs of healthcare and the surging demand for services 
from an aging veteran population. Throughout his time at the 
Department, Secretary Principi worked to ensure healthcare 
accessibility was a priority. Across the country, the VA has opened 194 
community clinics and 87 percent of the veteran population now lives 
within 30 minutes of a VA medical facility. Additionally, under 
Secretary Principi's leadership, the Department reduced the number of 
veterans waiting more than 6 months for primary care and cut in half 
the wait time for an appointment. These important accomplishments have 
improved the healthcare for our service men and women.
  Secretary Principi also understood the importance of further 
investigating the causes of Gulf War Illness. He kept his promise to 
attend a meeting in Texas with Dr. Robert Haley, a world renowned 
researcher on the issue of Gulf War Illness. After meeting with Dr. 
Haley, Secretary Principi recognized the need for a study on this 
illness, which ultimately led to the dedication of $60 million over the 
next 4

[[Page 904]]

years for research. We cannot thank him enough for his leadership and 
attention to this important issue.
  I thank Secretary Principi for his tireless service to the veterans 
of Texas and throughout the United States. He and his work will not be 
forgotten by a grateful Nation.

                          ____________________