[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 581]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        RESIGNATION AS MEMBER OF COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following 
resignation as a member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs:

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                 Washington, DC, January 13, 2009.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker, House of Representatives, Capitol 
         Building,Washington, DC.
     Hon. John Boehner,
     Republican Leader, House of Representatives, Capitol 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader Boehner: I am writing to 
     tender my resignation from the House Veterans' Affairs 
     Committee for the 111th Congress effective today, January 13, 
     2009. It has been an honor to serve with Chairman Filner and 
     Ranking Member Buyer, as well as the other members of the 
     Committee, to ensure the needs of our veterans remain a 
     national priority.
       I remain committed to making certain that our veterans 
     receive the best quality of care, benefits, and services that 
     the United States is able to provide. Locally, the Dayton VA 
     Medical Center, and all Miami Valley and Ohio veterans will 
     remain a top priority.
       Since my election to Congress I have been proud to support 
     all of our nation's veterans through increases in VA funding 
     and supporting the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act, which is 
     aimed at improving the transition between DoD and VA medical 
     care. Additionally, I was able to support final passage of 
     the GI Bill modernization, which expanded veterans education 
     benefits and allows them to transfer their unused benefits to 
     their immediate family members.
       Locally, I have been able to advocate for the 500-bed 
     Dayton VA Medical Center, which is one of the three original 
     VA ``soldiers' homes'' created by President Lincoln after the 
     Civil War. This facility is the second largest federal 
     installation in my Congressional District, and is an 
     important community asset. I worked to ensure the Community 
     Living Center, which was slated for closure, remained open 
     and also received additional money for a state-of-the-art 
     renovation. I was also proud to help rural veterans in my 
     community continue to have access to important screening 
     services close to home.
       I have recently been named the Ranking Republican on the 
     Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services 
     Committee. This leadership position requires a great deal of 
     commitment and is a unique opportunity to continue my service 
     to ensure our national security.
       I appreciate the opportunity to have served on the House 
     Veterans' Affairs Committee for the past four years. Because 
     of the commitment of all members on this distinguished 
     committee, we have made great strides in caring for our 
     veterans, and I know that the trend will continue. Please 
     have your staff contact Joseph Heaton 
     ([email protected]) at 225-6465 if my office can 
     be of assistance.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael R. Turner,
                                               Member of Congress.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the resignation is 
accepted.
  There was no objection.

                          ____________________