Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson Resigns

Stating his desire to return to the private sector, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson has handed in his resignation to President Bush, the resignation to be effective not later than October 1. 2007.

In his letter, Secretary Nicholson thanked the President for giving him the opportunity of helping his fellow veterans. He, himself, is a Vietnam Veteran. He said he has no specific plans at this time, but he did say that he will be turning 70 this coming February and want to get back into business while he is still able.

When he was in the private sector before being in public service for 10 years, he ran a successful residential development and construction company. His career in the public sector includes being elected Chairman of the Republican National Committee in January 1997, serving as the United States Ambassador to the Holy Sea and then his appointment as Secretary of Veterans Affairs

He told the employees of the VA that he felt he had been privileged to have worked with them. He has been secretary since February 1, 2005.

Secretary Nicholson talked about the size of the VA, that the system sees 1 million patients a week. In addition to thanking the President, he also thanked the Congress for the support they have given to him during his time as Secretary.

Some of his accomplishments as Secretary are:

Ordering that all of the veterans from the war on terror who come to the VA for medical care be tested for brain damage (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The Secretary ordered the Veterans Benefits Administration to give Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) veterans top priority when they apply to the compensation and pension claim system.

Made improvements to the VA's contracting and acquisitions systems.

Directing a major campaign intended to reduce the high rate of diabetes among veterans.

By arranging partnerships with nursing schools around the country, he established a multi-campus Nursing Academy to help overcome the shortage of nurses within the VA