[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14717]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMMORATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                                AFFAIRS

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, and the extraordinary men and women who 
work there to assist our Nation's veterans. Last year, the VA began a 
year-long celebration in order to commemorate the 75th anniversary of 
the founding of the Department. As the agency that administers 
veterans' benefits, a well-funded VA is one way our Nation honors those 
who have served in the Armed Forces.
  Veterans programs have a long and distinguished history stretching 
back before nationhood itself. During the conflict between the Pilgrims 
of Plymouth Colony and the Pequot Indians in 1636, a law was approved 
mandating that disabled veterans would be supported by the colony. Over 
the course of the next 300 years, a variety of programs designed to 
assist veterans were instituted by different administrative bodies. In 
1930, all veterans programs were consolidated and placed under the 
jurisdiction of the Veterans' Administration. Finally, in 1988, 
President Reagan signed legislation creating the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.
  The mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs is ``to care for 
him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his 
orphan,''--a quote from Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address. The 
Department has five core values: commitment, excellence, people, 
communication, and stewardship. By upholding these core values, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs seeks to fulfill its obligation to those 
who have served in defense of our Nation.
  The men and women who work at the Department of Veterans Affairs 
constitute a group who are highly trained and deeply devoted to the 
goals of the organization. This is true across the board but in South 
Dakota particularly. The Black Hills Health Care System was designated 
a top performer in the Department's fiscal year 2005 Survey of 
Healthcare Experiences of Patients. Furthermore, the Sioux Falls VA 
Medical Center has a strong track record of top notch service. For 
example, Luella Onken, a local volunteer at the hospital, was the 
recipient of the 2006 First Premier Bank/Premier Bankcard Spirit of 
Volunteerism Award. She volunteers 5 days a week at the medical center 
and has devoted 35,000 hours toward helping our veterans.
  For 75 years, the Department of Veterans Affairs has done an 
exemplary job of providing quality health care, administering benefits, 
and overseeing military cemeteries for the men and women who have 
served our country. I am proud to recognize and commend the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. The dedicated service of the men and women who 
work at the VA is a testament to the Department's commitment to our 
veterans.

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