[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23845]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      RETIREMENT OF LYNN CARPENTER

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I recognize and commend the 
service of Lynn Carpenter of South Dakota. Mr. Carpenter is retiring 
from the Department of Veterans Affairs after over 34 years of 
honorable service to the agency.
  Lynn began his career with the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1974 
after serving with the United States Army for 2 years. He continued his 
service in the National Guard for 18 more years, retiring in 2005. Lynn 
has served in various positions within the VA system, most recently as 
the Veterans Service Center Manager at the Sioux Falls VA Regional 
Office.
  During his tenure with the VA, Lynn has been an invaluable resource 
for veterans and their families. He has provided important counsel and 
advice to VA officials, veterans service officers and congressional 
members and their staff on a range of issues. Throughout his time with 
the VA, he has seen many changes in the system and was able to address 
the ever changing needs and concerns of veterans and their families.
  I have appreciated Lynn's willingness to take the time to answer 
questions and concerns from my staff members. I commend his dedication 
and commitment to making sure every veteran's case or question was 
always handled in a timely manner. Lynn can take great pride in his 
work during his Federal service career. In his retirement, he will 
spend more time fishing at his lake home in Big Stone. I wish Lynn, his 
wife Debbie, and their family all the best in retirement. It is with 
great honor that I share his impressive accomplishments with my 
colleagues, and I thank him for his service to this Nation and its 
veterans.

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