Courtney Statement on Resignation of Secretary Shinseki

Statement

Today Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) released the following statement in reaction to the resignation of General Eric Shinseki from the post of Secretary of Veterans Affairs:

"General Shinseki's departure will provide the opportunity to inject a new team to address the IG findings while the audit process continues, implement their recommendations, and change the culture that allowed this outrageous problem to develop in the first place. It is important to recognize the general's heroic service to our nation during the Vietnam war, and his service as Army Chief of Staff when he warned America that the cost of the Iraq war would far exceed the predictions of the Bush administration. General Shinseki made important strides as VA Secretary, including recognizing Agent Orange illnesses that had been dismissed for decades, implementing the Post-9/11 GI Bill which has provided higher education benefits to more than one million veterans and family members, as well as making serious inroads to alleviating homelessness among veterans with his support for programs like the Griswold American Legion housing project, the Vernon Chrysalis center and the Rocky Hill supportive housing facility. In the coming weeks, I will continue to work with my Veterans Advisory Council and staff to ensure that our veterans continue to have timely access to medical appointments at Connecticut VA facilities--a benefit that they have earned through their service to our country--and I will continue to support efforts to hold all responsible VA personnel accountable for this tragic mismanagement."

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