In an effort to quickly staff the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) top leadership positions, President Obama has nominated former Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth to serve as the VA’s assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs. If confirmed by the Senate following a hearing later this month, Duckworth would be the VA’s chief spokesperson and would be responsible for the VA’s internal and external communications, interaction with other government agencies and congress, the VA’s homeless veterans programs and consumer affairs. |
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| VetsFirst believes that as a disabled veteran, Duckworth knows first hand what service members go through after suffering life altering injuries and attempting to make the transition from military service to civilian life. This unique perspective makes her an ideal choice for VA’s chief public affairs officer, whose principle duties include reaching out to veterans to educate them about the VA’s healthcare and benefits services, She knows the problems, obstacles and issues affecting disabled veterans and can leverage that knowledge to craft real solutions to problems that have been plaguing the VA for decades. | ||
| During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Duckworth was piloting a helicopter that was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade. She lost both legs and the partial use of one arm following the crash. In 2006, recently-deposed Illinois governor Rod Blagojevuch appointed Duckworth as the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, where she has vigorously worked on improving the lives of Illinois veterans – with demonstrable results. She recently was under serious consideration to be appointed to President Obama’s former Senate seat and, later, for the Cabinet position of Secretary of Veterans Affairs. | ||
| Duckworth’s nomination sends a signal that the Obama administration is serious about transforming the VA from a bloated bureaucracy into a 21st century service organization, As the second largest agency in the U.S. government, the VA is far behind the information technology curve when it comes to patient information and medical records, benefits claims processing and data security. Duckworth’s commitment, abilities and her experience at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs compliments newly installed VA Secretary General Eric K. Shinseki’s plans to modernize and streamline the way that the VA assists veterans. Both Duckworth and Shinseki have publically asserted that the VA cannot continue to operate the way that is has done in the past. | ||
| Newly disabled veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have placed huge demands on the VA’s already bursting patient and benefits caseloads. Long delays in getting medical appointments and benefits claims decisions threaten veterans’ health and economic survival. | ||
| Both Shinseki and Duckworth have demonstrated the integrity and forward thinking during their careers that the VA will need if it is going to evolve into an agency that can effectively and efficiently fulfill its mission to care for veterans and their families. As an outstanding veterans’ advocate, VetsFirst enthusiastically supports Duckworth’s nomination and stands ready to assist the new VA leadership team in our joint mission. | ||
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VetsFirst Supports Duckworth NominationComments are closed. |
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