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# 

# FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

> December 20, 2007
>
> **Peake Sworn in As VA Secretary**
>
> ***New Leader Pledges to Look to the Future***
>
> WASHINGTON -- In a ceremony today Dr. James B. Peake, a combat veteran
> of the Vietnam War and former Army Surgeon General, was sworn in by
> President George W. Bush as the nation's sixth Secretary of Veterans
> Affairs.
>
> "Dr. Peake takes office at a critical moment in the history of this
> Department," said President Bush. "Our nation is at war -- and many
> new veterans are leaving the battlefield and entering the VA system.
> This system provides our veterans with the finest care -- but the
> bureaucracy can be difficult to navigate."
>
> Secretary Peake stressed his commitment to easing the transition of
> our current generation of returning, combat experienced men and women
> and of "the opportunity to look to the future of this newest
> generation of combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan --
> getting it right for them and for their families."
>
> Peake, who retired in 2004 as a three-star general, is a
> board-certified thoracic surgeon. His commands included the U.S. Army
> Medical Command, headquartered at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas; Madigan Army
> Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash.; the 44^th^ Medical Brigade at Fort
> Bragg, N.C.; and the 18^th^ Medical Command in Seoul, South Korea.
>
> Secretary Peake told those assembled, "You need to know that I believe
> deeply in the mission; and that I believe in you. I know quite a
> number of you already. I've seen the ethic, the caring, the
> compassion, and the technical skills."
>
> A native of St. Louis and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at
> West Point, Peake attended medical school after serving in Vietnam,
> where he earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
>
> As Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Peake assumes leadership of the
> Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the second largest cabinet
> department, with about 250,000 employees and a budget last year
> exceeding \$82 billion.
>
> **- More -**
>
> **Peake 2/2/2/2**
>
> More than 5.5 million veterans are expected to receive care this year
> in VA's 153 hospitals and 900 clinics. VA also provides disability
> compensation and pensions to 3.5 million veterans and family members,
> and operates 125 national cemeteries.
>
> Below are Secretary's remarks during the ceremony.

**Remarks of Secretary James B. Peake**

**For His Swearing In**

**December 20, 2007 \-- Washington, D.C.**

> Mr. President, Vice President Cheney, Secretary Mansfield,
> distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen of the VA \-- and of,
> really, the United States \-- I cannot tell you just how proud I am to
> be back in service to this country and, most particularly, in this
> role serving those who have defended her.
>
> Janice, thank you.  We\'ve been in lots of ceremonies over the 31
> years, and none quite like this, I must admit.  (Laughter.)  But each
> time, I recognize just how lucky I am to have you.
>
> Mr. President, I know how strongly you feel about doing right by our
> veterans.  Your visit here at our headquarters today speaks volumes to
> that.  I am deeply appreciative of your confidence and I pledge to
> you, sir, that I will do my very best to live up to that confidence.
>
> As part of the process of confirmation, in addition to the hearing,
> there were a series of written questions from the Senate.  One of them
> was:  If given the chance, what would you say to all of the people of
> the VA?  So they\'ve sort of prepped me for today for you.  What I
> told them then is what I tell you now:  first, just how privileged I
> feel to be joining this team.  I know of your commitment to veterans. 
> I know that many of you have dedicated your lives to taking care of
> veterans, and that many of you are veterans yourselves.
>
> I know many of the advances \-- for example, leading in health care
> innovation \-- that have been because of you.  You touch lives all
> across this great nation, from enabling veterans to have a home,
> sometimes a special home; to getting an education; to having
> rehabilitation that enables a productive and proud citizen.  Secretary
> Chao, I look forward to working with you, particularly in that
> regard.  You need to know that I deeply believe in this mission, and
> that I believe in you.
>
> I know quite a number of you already, and I have had emails from
> across the field of people that I have known over the many years. 
> I\'ve seen the ethic, I\'ve seen the caring and the compassion and the
> technical skills, and I truly appreciate the quality of the leadership
> team, Gordon, that you\'ve assembled.
>
> I want you to get to know me.  You\'ve heard my background:  38 years
> in the military, with a chance to do lots of different things.  But I
> also have had a rather long association with the VA:  10 years on the
> Special Medical Advisory Group for the VHA; this last year working
> with the VBA, and even experience with the VA cemetery when I was
> commanding general at Fort Sam Houston.  I\'m not a total newcomer.
>
> With this great team in place, I aim to hit the ground running.  And
> as I review the history, I cannot think of a recent time with more
> focus on our veterans or more in-depth looks coming together to allow
> us to chart a course forward, and the opportunity that provides to
> look to the future with this newest generation of combat veterans
> returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, simultaneously honoring our
> nation\'s commitment to that generation of World War II and Korean
> veterans, and addressing the needs of the men and women of the Vietnam
> era, my generation, who are now finding more and more needs of our
> services.
>
> The Dole-Shalala report that the President commissioned has given us a
> powerful blueprint to move forward.  Already in partnership with DOD,
> recommendations are being implemented to better serve our wounded
> warriors.  I do look forward to working closely with Congress and with
> our veterans\' service organizations and our military service
> organizations \-- and many, I am delighted to see, are represented
> here today \-- to make meaningful progress where legislation is
> needed.
>
> Secretary Gates, General Cody, Dr. Casscells, thank you for coming
> today.  Our partnership in this quest is really important to move
> forward.  I don\'t want \"seamlessness\" to be a buzzword \-- I want
> it to be our way of doing business.  I know we can do that together.
>
> Admiral Allen, Commandant of the Coast Guard, is here today, and we
> not only take care of your veterans, but your presence highlights the
> VA\'s role in readiness and homeland security, and I appreciate you
> being here.
>
> Finally, I told the Senate that I would commit to each of you in the
> VA my dedication to the mission, to you, and to creating the
> environment for your success as together, we serve the needs of
> veterans.  Well, I do that now with all of my heart and all of my
> energy.  We have a special mission, and I am delighted to be on this
> VA team.  I\'ll see you on the high ground. 
>
> \* \* \*
>
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>
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