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S. HRG. 112–510 

NOMINATIONS OF THE 112TH CONGRESS, 

SECOND SESSION 

HEARINGS 

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS 

UNITED STATES SENATE 

ONE HUNDRED TWELFTH CONGRESS 

SECOND SESSION 

MARCH 28 AND JULY 18, 2012 

Printed for the use of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

( 

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.fdsys.gov 

(II) 

COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS 

PATTY MURRAY, Washington, Chairman 

JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, West Virginia 

DANIEL K. AKAKA, Hawaii 

BERNARD SANDERS, (I) Vermont 

SHERROD BROWN, Ohio 

JIM WEBB, Virginia 

JON TESTER, Montana 

MARK BEGICH, Alaska 

RICHARD BURR, North Carolina, Ranking 

Member 

JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia 

ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi 

MIKE JOHANNS, Nebraska 

SCOTT P. BROWN, Massachusetts 

JERRY MORAN, Kansas 

JOHN BOOZMAN, Arkansas 

KIM LIPSKY, Staff Director 

LUPE WISSEL, Republican Staff Director 

(III) 

C O N T E N T S 

MARCH 28, 2012 

NOMINATIONS OF BG (RET.) CORAL WONG PIETSCH AND MARGARET BARTLEY, EACH

TO BE JUDGE OF U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

SENATORS 

Page 

Murray, Hon. Patty, Chairman, U.S. Senator from Washington ........................ 1 

Burr, Hon. Richard, Ranking Member, U.S. Senator from North Carolina ....... 2 

Akaka, Hon. Daniel K., U.S. Senator from Hawaii .............................................. 3 

Isakson, Hon. Johnny, U.S. Senator from Georgia ............................................... 66 

Boozman, Hon. John, U.S. Senator from Arkansas .............................................. 4 

WITNESSES 

Pietsch, BG (Ret.) Coral Wong, nominee to be judge, U.S. Court of Appeals 

for Veterans’ Claims ............................................................................................ 6 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 7 

Response to posthearing questions submitted by Hon. Mark Begich .......... 9 

Questionnaire for Presidential nominees ....................................................... 11 

Letter from the Judicial Conference of the United States ............................ 26 

Bartley, Margaret, nominee to be judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans’ 

Claims ................................................................................................................... 26 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 28 

Response to posthearing questions submitted by Hon. Mark Begich .......... 29 

Questionnaire for Presidential nominees ....................................................... 31 

Letter from the Judicial Conference of the United States ............................ 60 

APPENDIX 

Allen, Helene L., Honolulu, HI; letter .................................................................... 69 

Andersson, Stephen D., Director of Criminal Justice Operations, U.S. Department of Justice; letter .......................................................................................... 70 

Banks, Sara K’imipono, Jr., Specialist and Videographer, University of Hawaii at Manoa; letter ........................................................................................... 71 

Black, LTG Scott C., U.S. Army (Ret.); letter ....................................................... 72 

Bramlett, GEN David A., U.S. Army (Ret.); letter ............................................... 73 

Bush, Brian X., Chief, Environmental and Labor Law, U.S. Air Force Academy; COL, U.S. Army JAG Corps (Ret.); letter ................................................. 74 

Chu, Rai Saint, Attorney; letter ............................................................................. 75 

Coyne, COL James M., U.S. Army (Ret.); letter ................................................... 76 

Gandy, BG Raymond, Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.); letter ............................................... 78 

Hoe, Allen K., Attorney at Law; letter ................................................................... 79 

Jones, LTC Arthurine, U.S. Army, Civil Affairs; letter ........................................ 80 

Keller, COL Thomas R., U.S. Army (Ret.); letter ................................................. 82 

Kubo, Edward H., Jr., Circuit Court Judge, First Circuit, State of Hawaii; 

letter ...................................................................................................................... 83

Maxwell, COL Mark David, U.S. Army; letter ...................................................... 84 

Passen, Andy, Transition Director, U.S. Embassy, Kabul; prepared statement 86 

Pullen, COL Randy, U.S. Army (Ret.); letter ........................................................ 86 

Attachment ........................................................................................................... 88 

Shogren, Gregory, Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice; letter .............................................................................................................. 92 

Soong, COL Melvin K., JAG, U.S. Army (Ret.), Circuit Court Judge, First 

Circuit, State of Hawaii; letter ........................................................................... 93 

Page

IV 

Thomason, COL Terry E., U.S. Army (Ret.); letter .............................................. 94 

Ueoka, Les, Commissioner, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission; prepared statement ...................................................................................................................... 95 

Wellman, Arthur, Attorney, Col., JA, U.S. Army (Ret.); letter ............................ 96 

Wong, Lisa, Manager, Human Resources, Training, Health and Safety, Hawaiian and Cultural Programs, Hawaii Convention Center; letter ................. 98 

JULY 18, 2012 

NOMINATION OF THOMAS SKERIK SOWERS II, PH.D. TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY

OF PUBLIC AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

AFFAIRS

SENATORS 

Murray, Hon. Patty, Chairman, U.S. Senator from Washington ........................ 99 

Burr, Hon. Richard, Ranking Member, U.S. Senator from North Carolina ....... 101 

Boozman, Hon. John, U.S. Senator from Arkansas .............................................. 122 

Begich, Hon. Mark, U.S. Senator from Alaska ..................................................... 126 

Webb, Hon. Jim, U.S. Senator from Virginia ........................................................ 128 

WITNESSES 

McCaskill, Hon. Claire, U.S. Senator from Missouri ............................................ 100 

Sowers, Thomas Skerik II, Ph.D., nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Public 

and Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ............ 104 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 105 

Response to prehearing questions from Hon. Patty Murray ........................ 106 

Questionnaire for Presidential nominees ....................................................... 110 

Letter from the Office of Government Ethics ................................................. 117 

Letter from the nominee to the Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs .............................................................................. 118 

(1) 

NOMINATION OF CORAL WONG PIETSCH, BG 

(RET.) AND MARGARET BARTLEY NOMINEES 

TO BE JUDGES, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS 

FOR VETERANS CLAIMS 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 

U.S. SENATE, COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS, Washington, DC. 

The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:45 a.m., in room 

418, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Patty Murray, Chairman 

of the Committee, presiding. 

Present: Senators Murray, Akaka, Begich, Burr, Isakson, and 

Boozman. 

STATEMENT OF HON. PATTY MURRAY, CHAIRMAN, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON 

Chairman MURRAY. Good morning. Welcome to today’s hearing. 

We are here today to consider the nominations of Ms. Margaret 

Bartley and General Coral Wong Pietsch to be judges of the U.S. 

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. I am pleased to welcome the 

nominees and their families who are here today, and I congratulate 

each one of you on your nomination. 

The nominees sitting before us have impressive resumes, strong 

credentials, and a long history of service. We will learn more about 

their qualifications during their introductions so I will not spend 

time repeating what we will hear very shortly. 

But as we begin today’s hearing, I think it is really important to 

recognize some of the realities facing the larger disability claims 

system and, as a result, the Court. 

It is no secret there are severe problems with the claims system 

and some continuing trends that cannot be ignored. We know it 

takes VA too long to issue decisions. We know VA’s error rate remains far too high. We also know the number and complexity of 

claims being filed continues to grow. 

These are the facts: given the increasing number of claims, VA’s 

error rate, and that every veteran has an absolute right to appeal 

an adverse decision of the Board, there is no shortage of potential 

cases that may reach the court in the very near future. So, the 

problems with the larger disability claims system become the problems of the Court. 

As our nominees know, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 

holds the special responsibility as the only national court that reVerDate Nov 24 2008 17:15 Sep 13, 2012 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 H:\ACTIVE\032812.TXT SVETS PsN: PAULIN
2 

views veterans benefits decisions. The importance and impact of 

this mandate are clear. 

For many veterans, the Court is seen as their last hope after 

fighting for months, years, and in some cases decades to obtain the 

benefits they earned. They look to the court for fair and equitable 

resolution of their claims. 

These nominations are of such great importance because of the 

vital role the Court plays in service to our Nation’s veterans. 

The Court has been asked to meet its unique obligations under 

the pressure of an increasing workload. As the number of claims 

decided by the Board has increased, so has the number of appeals 

being filed with the Court. 

Given the substantial workload that each judge carries, these vacancies have to be filled by qualified, competent, and motivated individuals; and given the size of the backlog and the number of 

claims being filed, we will no doubt continue to see a growth in the 

number of appeals over time. 

This is why we owe it to our veterans to proceed with these 

nominations in a timely manner. 

In closing, I would note the nominees have each completed the 

Committee’s extensive judicial questionnaires, all of which will appear in the record of today’s hearing. 

There will also be an opportunity for Committee Members to submit post-hearing questions, and I would ask the nominees to answer and respond to any of those as quickly as possible so the Committee will be able to move forward with your confirmations. 

Thank you again for appearing before us today, and with that, 

I will turn it over to my Ranking Member, Senator Burr. 

STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BURR, RANKING MEMBER, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM NORTH CAROLINA 

Senator BURR. Good morning, Madam Chairman, and I want to 

thank you for holding this hearing to consider the qualifications of 

Ms. Bartley and General Pietsch to serve as judges of the U.S. 

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 

I also want to welcome the nominees, their families and friends 

that are here. I thank you all for being here today. 

This hearing gives us an opportunity to fulfill the Senate’s role 

of reviewing judicial nominations to ensure that our Nation is 

served as well as possible. 

As with the Federal court, we should consider whether candidates to serve on the Veterans Court are impartial, well-qualified, and have a sound judicial philosophy and temperament. 

We should also consider whether a nominee will live up to the 

high standards expected of the judges, which include making decisions fairly, promptly, and efficiently. 

The obligation to promptly decide cases is particularly important 

for individuals who come before the Veterans Court. By the time 

an appeal is filed, a sick or injured veteran may have faced many 

years of delays, errors and frustrations while going through the 

VA’s claim process. 

When they finally reach the Court, veterans and their families 

should rightfully expect a quick response from an entity that was 

created to provide them the fundamental justice, but living up to 

3 

that expectation has been a real challenge for the Court in recent 

years. 

Since 2007, the Court has received more than 4,000 new cases 

each year, a 53-percent increase over the incoming cases in the 

prior 5 years. Although the Court has made progress in handling 

this work, some veterans are still waiting far too long for a 

decision. 

In fact, it takes an average of 19 months for the court to issue 

a decision by a single judge and over 2 years to issue an opinion 

by a panel of judges. 

With more than 4,400 cases pending at the Court, including hundreds waiting on action by a judge, it must be a priority to quickly 

get decisions to everyone who is waiting. 

To that end, any judge confirmed to serve on the Veterans Court 

must be ready to hit the ground running and immediately begin to 

help the Court deal with its caseload. Perhaps more importantly, 

a nominee must be committed to spending each year on the bench 

handling cases with the diligence and sense of urgency our Nation’s 

veterans deserve. 

Madam Chairman, before I yield back to you, I want to also talk 

briefly about the expectation that Federal judges will be efficient 

in handling their judicial duties. 

In my view, organizations tend to function at their best when 

most integral to the operation like judges are personally engage on 

a daily basis. If judges have to travel across the country to get to 

Court, it could make it more difficult to manage staff, work with 

other judges, or stay on top of caseloads. 

I think the Chairman knows that is why I introduced S. 2045. 

It would require judges of the Veterans Court to live within 50 

miles of the Court’s office which is located here in Washington, DC. 

A similar residency requirement already applies to other Federal 

judges. 

Also I would point out that the duties of a judge are supposed 

to take priority over any other judge’s other activities. So, it is hard 

to imagine a reason for a judge to live far away from where the 

court facilities, personnel, and other judges are located. 

Madam Chairman, I think this bill is a common sense step to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Court and emphasize, 

if confirmed, a judge must be 100-percent committed to the Court’s 

important work. Our Nation’s veterans and their families deserve 

no less. 

So, I look forward to working with the Chairman and my colleagues to as expeditiously as we can pass as therein S. 2045, and 

I thank the Chair for this opportunity. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much. 

I will now turn to our Committee Members if they have an opening statement. Senator Akaka I will begin with you. 

STATEMENT OF HON. DANIEL K. AKAKA, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM HAWAII 

Senator AKAKA. Thank you very much, Chairman Murray. 

I would like to join you and Ranking Member Burr in welcoming 

our distinguished nominees as well as their lovely families who are 

here today, and I want to say to our nominees and their families, 

4 

aloha, welcome to this hearing this morning. It is so good to see 

all of you, and I want to say mahalo, thank you for spending briefly 

some time to chat about your nominations. 

Of course, the Chairman and I and the Committee would like to 

move as quickly as we can so you can get to work as quickly as 

you can too. 

You are extraordinary public servants, and I appreciate your desire and commitment to continue to serve our country. So, I look 

forward to hearing your testimonies as well. 

Thank you, Madam Chairman. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you, Senator Akaka. 

Senator Boozman, do you have an opening statement? 

STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN BOOZMAN, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM ARKANSAS 

Senator BOOZMAN. No. Again we appreciate your service. We appreciate you being here and all you have done for veterans in the 

past. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much. 

With that, I am going to turn to Senator Akaka who will introduce General Pietsch. 

Senator AKAKA. Thank you, Chairman Murray and Ranking 

Member Burr, for this opportunity and for the leadership here in 

having this hearing and allowing me the opportunity to say a few 

words about General Coral Pietsch. 

My wife Millie and I have known Coral and her husband Jim for 

many years. We also have many mutual friends. 

I have followed her career over the years and have been very impressed with her accomplishments, work ethic, and her continued 

desire to serve our country, and she will still continue to do that. 

General Pietsch has been involved with the military and veterans from the beginning of her professional career. She served for 

6 years as an active-duty Army JAG officer in Korea and at Fort 

Shafter in Hawaii. 

She is highly competent, and there is one area where I would 

certainly never question her judgment when she decided to make 

Hawaii her permanent home when she left active duty and joined 

the Army reserve. A great decision to call Hawaii home. She has 

adopted what we call the aloha spirit. 

She served in a variety of key Army positions, culminating in the 

assignments as staff advocate. She also served a 4-year IMA assignment as the Chief Judge of the U.S. Army Court of Criminal 

Appeals. 

Along the way she has broken some barriers, and I understand 

that she was the first woman general in the U.S. Army JAG Corps. 

I think that was mentioned. She was also the Army’s first female 

Asian-American flag officer. 

She volunteered for a year-long deployment in Iraq, where she 

served as the Deputy Rule of Law Coordinator for the Baghdad 

Provincial Reconstruction Team. 

In her civilian life, Coral has worked as an advocate for individuals with disabilities. She also served as Deputy Attorney General 

for the State of Hawaii. 

5 

Later Coral moved to the Federal Government, becoming a civilian attorney for the Army where she currently serves as special assistant and senior civilian counsel to the commanding general of 

the U.S. Army Pacific today. 

Without a doubt, if confirmed, General Pietsch’s military and civilian legal experience, education, and judgment would be a tremendous asset to this Court. I am glad that I am able to support 

President Obama’s appointment. 

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that appointment. So I am 

glad to say what I did about you, Coral. Welcome and best wishes. 

Thank you, Chairman Murray. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much, Senator Akaka. 

I have the pleasure of introducing Ms. Bartley, who is currently 

a senior staff attorney with the National Veterans’ Legal Services 

program. 

Ms. Bartley holds a BA from Pennsylvania State University and 

a JD from the American University Washington College of Law. 

Ms. Bartley has an extensive record of service to our Nation’s 

veterans and their families. Her introduction to the Court and veterans’ advocacy came while serving in a clinical program during 

law school and continued after graduation with service as a judicial 

law clerk for the Honorable Jonathan Steinberg. 

She has represented countless veterans, their independence, and 

survivors before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and the Court of 

Appeals for Veterans Claims over the course of her career. 

In addition, to direct representation, a significant portion of Ms. 

Bartley’s career has been spent sharing her knowledge and experience with other veterans advocates. She continues to serve as the 

director of outreach and education for the Veterans’ Consortium 

pro bono program and has also written extensively and serves as 

editor of the Veterans’ Advocate, a veteran law advocacy journal. 

Given his record of service, clearly Ms. Bartley is no stranger to 

the Court and the issues it faces. 

So thank you very much for your service to veterans to both of 

you, and we look forward to your testimony today. 

Before I swear you in and move to hear your opening statements, 

I know that both of you have families here. So I want you each to 

take a moment to present your guests to the Committee. General 

Wong, we will begin with you. 

General PIETSCH. I would like to introduce my husband, Professor James H. Peach; my sister, Crystal, and her husband, Dave 

Maddy, and their two children; my nephew, Andy; my niece, Christine, with her husband, Rob Wagner, and their two children, Bella 

and Robbie; my sister-in-law, Sandra, and her husband, Al Fletcher; my brother-in-law, Bill, and his friend, Maxine Rogers; my colleague and friend from the U.S. Army Pacific, Janice Neilson; and 

my Provincial Reconstruction teammates, Lieutenant Colonel 

Arthurine Jones and Mr. Rob Merchant. 

Chairman MURRAY. Very good. 

Ms. Bartley. 

Ms. BARTLEY. Yes, I would like to introduce my husband Charlie, 

and my two daughters, Eve and Muriel. And I have many extended 

family members here in spirit. I am from a very large family. 

6 

Chairman MURRAY. Very good. Well thank you and welcome and 

our appreciation to all the families of these two amazing women 

and the willingness of both nominees to do this job. So thank you 

very much. 

Under the rules of the Committee, the testimony of all Presidential nominees that appear before our Committee have to be 

done under oath. So, I would ask that both of you stand and raise 

your right hand. 

Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you are 

about to give before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will 

be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help 

you God? 

General PIETSCH. I do. 

Ms. BARTLEY. I do. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much. 

With that, General Pietsch, we will begin with your testimony. 

STATEMENT OF CORAL WONG PIETSCH, BG (RET.), NOMINEE 

TO BE JUDGE, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS 

CLAIMS 

General PIETSCH. Thank you, Madam Chairman. 

Chairman Murray, Ranking Member Burr, and distinguished 

Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. 

It is an honor to be a nominee to serve as a judge on the U.S. 

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. I want to thank President 

Obama for the confidence he has shown in me by nominating me. 

I want to thank you, Senator Akaka, for the very kind words of 

introduction. 

I would like to thank my husband, Professor James H. Pietsch, 

for his unconditional support and love. He has been a wonderful 

partner and advisor in our lifetime of public service together. 

I would like to recognize other members of my family and my 

friends in this room today, several of whom traveled far to be with 

us. 

My entire legal career has been in public service in a variety of 

positions, Federal Government and State government, military and 

civilian. I am extremely proud to be a veteran having served in the 

military on active duty and in the Reserves. 

As a Deputy Attorney General for the State of Hawaii, I learned 

the depth to which State decisions had on the public at large, the 

consequences, intended or otherwise, of such decisions and the 

privilege of witnessing the democratic process at work. 

I believe that this experience will serve me well as a judge and 

remind me to consider the impact of each decision not only on the 

individual but for its precedential value. 

As A former Chair of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, I 

know and appreciate the importance of making sure that the processes and procedures in place are thorough, timely, and responsive. 

This serves and benefits all parties to the process. This too will 

serve me well if confirmed to the Court. 

As an Army civilian, I have had the opportunity to work closely 

with the military ensuring that our military is trained and 

equipped to accomplish the missions assigned to them. 

7 

This, along with my military service and close affiliation with 

other veterans, including my husband, my brothers and my fatherin-law, gives me the additional background helpful to understand 

many of the circumstances involving our veterans. 

I am most proud of my service as a member of the U.S. Army, 

from my service in Korea as a young Captain on active duty to my 

service in the Army Reserve as a general officer in the U.S. Army 

Judge Advocate General’s Corps. 

Over those years, I had the opportunity and the honor to observe 

and to work with thousands of my fellow American citizens in uniform. I know what it is like to serve in a combat zone, and I know 

what it is like to have a family member in harm’s way. 

In 2007 at the height of the surge, I volunteered to serve, as a 

Department of Defense civilian in Iraq. I was seconded to the State 

Department and served for 1 year on a Provincial Reconstruction 

Team. I served side by side with members of the military, sharing 

experiences, hardships, and accomplishments. 

I saw firsthand what conflict is like, how individuals react under 

extreme stress, and the lasting effects service in a combat zone can 

have on individuals. 

My husband, himself a military veteran and an Army retiree, 

also volunteered to serve during the surge in Iraq in his capacity 

as a professor of law. He was invited to serve as a special advisor 

to the Multi National Force-Iraq Law and Order Task Force and 

was stationed at a forward operating base where he served with 

members of all branches of the U.S. military. 

This experience has given me a much deeper appreciation for the 

sacrifices made by those serving our country and for the need to 

address the needs of those who are experiencing difficulties due to 

their service. 

It has been a great honor and a privilege for me to serve our 

country, and it will be a great honor and a privilege for me to continue my service as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 

In closing, I want to thank the Committee for the attention it has 

given to my nomination; and if confirmed, I pledge my very best 

efforts in executing the duties of a judge on the Court of Appeals 

for Veterans Claims. 

Thank you very much. 

[The prepared statement of General Pietsch follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF CORAL WONG PIETSCH, NOMINEE FOR JUDGE, 

U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

Chairman Murray, Ranking Member Burr, and distinguished Members of this 

Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. It is an honor 

to be a nominee to serve as a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. I want to thank President Obama for the confidence he has shown 

in me by nominating me. 

I would like to thank my husband, Professor James H. Pietsch, for his unconditional support and love. He has been a wonderful partner and advisor in our lifetime of public service together. I would also like to recognize other members of my 

family and my friends in this room today, several of whom travelled far to be with 

us. 

My entire legal career has been in public service—in a variety of positions—Federal Government and state government, military and civilian. I am extremely proud 

to be a veteran having served in the military on active duty and in the Reserves. 

8 

As a Deputy Attorney General for the State of Hawaii, I learned the depth to 

which State decisions had on the public at large, the consequences, intended or otherwise, of such decisions and the privilege of witnessing the democratic process at 

work. I believe that this experience will serve me well as a Judge and remind me 

to consider the impact of each decision not only on the individual but for its precedential value. 

As former Chair of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, I know and appreciate 

the importance of making sure that the processes and procedures in place are thorough, timely, and responsive. This serves and benefits all parties to the process. 

This too will serve me well if confirmed to the Court. 

As an Army civilian attorney I have had the opportunity to work closely with the 

Military ensuring that our Military is trained and equipped to accomplish the missions assigned to them. This, along with my military service and close affiliation 

with other veterans, including my husband, my brothers and my father-in law, gives 

me the additional background helpful to understand many of the circumstances involving our veterans. 

I am most proud of my service as a member of the United States Army—from my 

service in Korea as a young Captain on active duty to my service in the Army Reserve as a General Officer in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s 

Corps. Over those years, I had the opportunity and the honor to observe and to work 

with thousands of my fellow American citizens in uniform. 

I know what it is like to serve in a combat zone and I know what it is like to 

have a family member in harm’s way. In 2007 at the height of the Surge, I volunteered to serve, as a Department of Defense civilian in Iraq. I was seconded to the 

State Department and served for one year on a Provincial Reconstruction Team. I 

served side by side with members of the military, sharing experiences, hardships, 

and accomplishments. I saw firsthand what conflict is like, how individuals react 

under extreme stress, and the lasting effects service in a combat zone can have on 

individuals. My husband, himself a military veteran and an Army retiree, also volunteered to serve during the surge in Iraq in his capacity as a professor of law. He 

was invited to serve as a Special Advisor to the Multi National Force-Iraq Law and 

Order Task Force and was stationed at a Forward Operating Base where he served 

with members of all branches of the U.S. military. This experience has given me 

a much deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made by those serving our country and 

for the need to address the needs of those who are experiencing difficulty due to 

their service. 

It has been a great honor and a privilege for me to serve our country and it would 

be a great honor and a privilege for me to continue my service as a Judge on the 

United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 

In closing, I want to thank the Committee for the attention it has given to my 

nomination. If confirmed, I pledge my very best efforts in executing the duties of 

a Judge on the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 

9 

RESPONSE TO POSTHEARING QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY HON. MARK BEGICH TO

CORAL WONG PIETSCH, BG (RET.), NOMINEE FOR JUDGE, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS

FOR VETERANS CLAIMS


PietQ3Be1.eps
10 

[The Committee questionnaire for Presidential nominees follows:] 


PietQ3Be2.eps
11 


PietschQ1.eps
12 


PietschQ2.eps
13 


PietschQ3.eps
14 


PietschQ4.eps
15 


PietschQ5.eps
16 


PietschQ6.eps
17 


PietschQ7.eps
18 

[Supplemental questionnaire for Presidential nominees follows:] 


PietschS1.eps
19 


PietschS2.eps
20 


PietschS3.eps
21 


PietschS4.eps
22 


PietschS5.eps
23 


PietschS6.eps
24 


PietschS7.eps PietschS8.eps
25 


PietschS9.eps
26 

[A letter from the Judicial Conference of the United States follows:] 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you, General Pietsch. 

Ms. Bartley. 

STATEMENT OF MARGARET BARTLEY, NOMINEE TO BE 

JUDGE, UNITED STATE COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS 

CLAIMS 

Ms. BARTLEY. Thank you, Chairman Murray, Ranking Member 

Burr, and distinguished Members of the Committee. I am honored 

to have been nominated by the President to be a judge on the U.S. 

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and I am thankful for the 

opportunity to appear before you as you consider me for that position. 

With me today is my husband Charlie, who served as a Marine 

Corps Reservist, and my daughters Eve and Muriel. I am indebted 

to them for their support, patience, and love. I also want to thank 

my large extended family for their support and enthusiasm about 

my nomination. 

I especially thank those who have taken time to mentor me over 

the years, in particular, Ron Abrams and Bart Stichman of National Veterans Legal Services Program, and retired Judge Jonathan Steinberg. 


NomLtr.eps
27 

Also, I want to thank all of my co-workers and friends who are 

here today to support me. And I thank you, Chairman Murray, for 

your kind introduction. 

While my father, godfather, and many other family members 

served in the Armed Forces, I never considered veterans benefits 

law as a career until my third year of law school. During that year, 

I participated in a public interest clinical program that focused on 

providing representation to veterans who were appealing their denial of benefits. 

At the time—this was 1991 and 1992—it was the only veterans 

benefits law school clinic in the country. I handled two appeals, one 

before the Board of Veterans Appeals and one before the newly 

formed Court of Veterans’ Appeals. Both of the veterans I represented obtained relief. They were rewarded for pursuing their appeals and, likewise, I found the experience greatly rewarding. 

It was a privilege to use my skills to help these honorable men 

who had contributed several years of their lives to protecting our 

Nation. 

My experiences in the clinic determined my career path. Since 

that time, I have worked to help veterans obtain entitlement to 

benefits and have endeavored to fulfill the final wish of so many 

veterans, which is to ensure that their surviving spouse receives 

death benefits. 

Much of my focus has been on helping service officers, the lay 

representatives who work for veterans service organizations and 

State departments of veterans’ affairs, handle claims and appeals. 

I develop advocacy strategies based on Veterans Court decisions 

and provide advice to service officers working in VA regional offices. In addition, as the Director of Outreach and Education for 

the Veterans’ Consortium Pro Bono Program, I train and advise 

lawyers who provide free representation to veterans and survivors 

at the Court. 

The Program helps to reduce the Court’s pro se rate while giving 

individual veterans the tremendous benefit of free skilled legal 

assistance. 

During my 181⁄2 years working in veterans law, it has been an 

honor to exchange ideas with and work with veterans, veterans’ 

service organizations, veterans’ service officers, lawyers who represent veterans, and VA and other government employees. 

I understand the great significance of the role of a judge on the 

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. It is significant to individual 

veterans who lodge appeals with the Court expecting to receive a 

just decision, and to thousands of servicemembers and veterans 

and their families, who may eventually be impacted by a precedent 

decision of the Court. 

Similarly, the Court’s work is of significance to all in the U.S. 

who support the veterans’ benefits system with their tax dollars. I 

hope and believe that my professional experience and my personal 

commitment to and understanding of veterans law will prepare me 

to meet the challenges and responsibilities inherent in the role of 

Veterans Court judge. 

In my career thus far, I have been a vigorous advocate for veterans on a variety of issues. If confirmed, I would apply the same 

vigor that I have used as an advocate to providing fair-minded and 

28 

impartial review of Board of Veterans’ Appeals decisions concerning entitlement to VA benefits. 

I thank the Committee for the consideration it is giving to my 

nomination. If confirmed, I would do my utmost to work with other 

judges and with Court staff to provide prompt and judicious review 

of board decisions. 

Chairman Murray, I would be pleased to respond to any questions that you or Members of the Committee may have. 

[The prepared statement of Ms. Bartley follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF MARGARET BARTLEY, NOMINEE FOR JUDGE, 

U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

Thank you Chairman Murray, Ranking Member Burr, and distinguished Members of the Committee. I am honored to have been nominated by the President to 

be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and I’m thankful for 

the opportunity to appear before you as you consider me for that position. 

With me today is my husband Charlie, who served as a Marine Corps Reservist, 

and my daughters Eve and Muriel. I am indebted to them for their support, patience and love. I also want to thank my large extended family for their support 

and enthusiasm about my nomination. I especially thank those who have taken time 

to mentor me over the years, in particular, Ron Abrams and Bart Stichman of National Veterans Legal Services Program, and retired Judge Jonathan Steinberg. 

Also, I want to thank all of my co-workers and friends who are here today to support me. 

While my father, godfather and many other family members served in the Armed 

Forces, I never considered veterans benefits law as a career until my third year of 

law school. During that year I participated in a public interest clinical program that 

focused on providing representation to veterans who were appealing their denial of 

benefits. At the time, this was 1991–1992, it was the only veterans benefits law 

school clinic in the country. I handled two appeals while in law school, one before 

the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and one before the newly formed Court of Veterans 

Appeals. Both of the veterans I represented obtained relief on appeal. They were 

rewarded for pursuing their appeals and, likewise, I found the experience greatly 

rewarding. It was a privilege to use my skills to help these honorable men who had 

contributed several years of their lives to protecting our Nation. 

My experiences in the clinic determined my career path. Since that time, I have 

worked to help veterans obtain entitlement to benefits and have endeavored to fulfill the final wish of so many veterans, which is to ensure that their surviving 

spouse receives death benefits. Much of my focus has been on helping service officers, the lay representatives who work for veterans service organizations and state 

departments of veterans affairs, handle claims and appeals. I develop advocacy 

strategies based on Veterans Court decisions and provide advice to service officers 

working in VA regional offices. 

In addition, as the Director of Outreach & Education for the Veterans Consortium 

Pro Bono Program, I train and advise lawyers who provide free representation to 

veterans and survivors at the Court. The Program helps to reduce the Court’s pro 

se rate while giving individual veterans the tremendous benefit of free skilled legal 

assistance. 

During my 181⁄2 years working in veterans law, it has been an honor to exchange 

ideas with and work with veterans, veterans service organizations, veterans service 

officers, lawyers who represent veterans, and VA and other government employees. 

I understand the great significance of the role of a judge on the Court of Appeals 

for Veterans Claims. It is significant to individual veterans who lodge appeals with 

the Court expecting to receive a just decision, and to thousands of servicemembers 

and veterans and their families, who may eventually be impacted by a precedent 

decision of the Court. Similarly, the Court’s work is of significance to all in the U.S. 

who support the veterans benefits system with their tax dollars. I hope and believe 

that my professional experience and my personal commitment to and understanding 

of veterans law will prepare me to meet the challenges and responsibilities inherent 

in the role of Veterans Court judge. 

In my career thus far, I have been a vigorous advocate for veterans on a variety 

of issues. If confirmed, I would apply the same vigor that I have used as an advocate 

to providing fair-minded and impartial review of Board of Veterans’Appeals decisions concerning entitlement to VA benefits. 

29 

I thank the Committee for the consideration it is giving to my nomination. If confirmed, I would do my utmost to work with other judges and with Court staff to 

provide prompt and judicious review of Board decisions. 

Chairman Murray, I would be pleased to respond to any questions that you or 

Members of the Committee may have. 

RESPONSE TO POSTHEARING QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY HON. MARK BEGICH TO MARGARET BARTLEY, NOMINEE FOR JUDGE, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS

CLAIMS


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[A letter from the Judicial Conference of the United States follows:] 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much to both of you. Let me 

just begin, I alluded in my opening statement that there is no 

shortage of potential work for this Court. The claims backlog continues to grow. VA’s error rate is too high, and the number and 

complexity of the claims that are being filed today continue to increase. 

Each of those realities as an impact on the Court and its work. 

Yet, the Court has to ensure that veterans do have access to meaningful judicial review of VA decisions. There has been some debate 

about how Congress and stakeholders should measure the Court’s 

progress. I want to start by asking each of you in your opinion how 

should Court efficiency be measured. 

General Pietsch, I will begin with you. 

General PIETSCH. Thank you, Senator Murray. 

First of all, if confirmed, I want to assure the Senators that I will 

do everything in my power to move along the cases in an expeditious and a timely manner. 

In terms of what the Court would need to do, at this point I 

would probably like to assess and evaluate the Court’s processes 

and procedures and perhaps within that there are ways to improve 

the situation, maybe leveraging, different ways of streamlining proVerDate Nov 24 2008 17:15 Sep 13, 2012 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6601 H:\ACTIVE\032812.TXT SVETS PsN: PAULIN

NomLtr.eps
61 

cedures, maybe leveraging mediation and seeing what can be done. 

Clearly, there would be room for improvement and it is something 

that would be on my top priority list. 

Chairman MURRAY. Ms. Bartley. 

Ms. BARTLEY. The Court has had a big problem as both of you 

mentioned earlier, Senators. They have suffered from several deficiencies. One is that they have had an increased work load, and 

they have been kind of down one judge for a few years now since 

the last chief judge retired. 

I think that the infusion or injection of additional judges would 

certainly help the situation. As far as how to measure efficiency, 

obviously numbers and the length of time that it takes to decide 

a case, for a case to go through the process at the Court, is an 

issue. So, efficiency can be measured in numbers and length of 

time that it takes. 

Efficiency also, though, we have to keep in mind that the quality 

of the decision, the thoughtfulness of the decision and those issues 

that go to quality are also elements in the whole issue of efficiency. 

So, I would say that those are characters or elements that I 

would look to as the numbers, the length of time it is taking and 

also the quality of the decisionmaking. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much. I want to ask both of 

you. Each of your careers has been centered on advocacy. 

Ms. Bartley, you served as a tireless advocate for veterans. 

General Pietsch, you spent a significant portion of your career as 

a public servant acting as an advocate for the government at the 

State and Federal level. 

Ms. Bartley, let me start with you. How would you respond to 

those who would question your ability to be impartial given your 

lengthy career as an advocate for veterans? 

Ms. BARTLEY. Thank you, Senator. 

I believe as all of us do in this room I am sure in the importance 

of evenhanded and impartial judges and a judiciary system that is 

impartial, evenhanded, unbiased. 

I have been lucky or blessed maybe to have been able to be an 

advocate. It has been very satisfying for me. It is very important 

to me that veterans be able to, as well as get great advocacy, be 

able to get a final decision that is fair and impartial. 

So, I see this as another form of service. It is not advocacy. It 

is removed from the advocacy position. But being an unbiased arbiter and reviewer of Board of Veterans’ Appeals decisions is to me 

another form of serving the country and serving veterans, and I 

would welcome the opportunity to do that and to step into those 

shoes because I believe that those shoes, that of an unbiased judge, 

that is just as important service as being an advocate for veterans 

on their behalf, a biased advocate. 

Chairman MURRAY. General Pietsch, you have been an advocate 

for State and Federal Government. How would you be impartial? 

General PIETSCH. And I have been an advocate for the State and 

for other administrative agencies. I have also been an advocate for 

individuals. During my service as a judge advocate, I represented 

or assisted a number of soldiers with their issues and their 

problems. 

62 

I believe that with both perspectives, as an advocate for government and as an advocate for individuals, that I can be impartial 

and definitely unbiased. 

I think that the analytical skills that one develops over the years 

focus you on what the issue is and not necessarily to be able to 

shed or that you should be able to shed what you had in the past 

in terms of your experience. 

But I definitely will bring to the Court a sense of being unbiased 

and impartial and making sure that we look at the facts and apply 

the law accordingly. 

Chairman MURRAY. Senator Burr. 

Senator BURR. It is clear that the Chairman and I are headed 

in the same direction. So, if you will bear with me as I cover 

ground that she has already covered but maybe with a little more 

specifics. 

During fiscal year 2011, it took 584 days for an appellant to receive a single judge decision and 763 for a panel decision. Let me 

ask both of you, what do you believe is a reasonable timeframe for 

the Court to make a decision, general? 

General PIETSCH. I am not sure I can answer the question with 

any granularity in terms of the numbers of days. But clearly, I believe that both of those figures that you have stated can be improved on definitely. 

How to do that is something that I would like to be able to access 

as time goes by. But clearly that is not an acceptable rate. We may 

have to leverage, as was indicated by Ms. Bartley, by adding more 

judges. That will help the process. 

Streamlining. I am not sure where that would happen but clearly 

some sort of streamlining would do. But in terms of the numbers 

of days, clearly that can be improved. 

Senator BURR. Ms. Bartley. 

Ms. BARTLEY. Well, like General Pietsch, I am reluctant to give 

you an exact number, and I do agree with her that the 584-day period seems, it is very long. 

Many veterans, I have experienced in my own advocacy career, 

veterans die, they pass away while their case is that the Court. It 

happens before the VA as well. It is not acceptable, and I would 

definitely work to reduce the number of days it currently takes. 

Senator BURR. I hope you will remember those advocacy days 

when you take the seat on the bench. 

Ms. Bartley, I have to get into a little more specifics about your 

advocacy work if I can. In 2010 you said, and I quote, ‘‘The Board 

is almost sure to pounce on any inconsistencies and find that the 

lay evidence, that evidence in support of the veterans claim, is not 

credible.’’ 

In that same speech you said, and I quote, ‘‘The Board often 

avoids unpleasant tasks. As a result, it often fails completely to address the lay evidence of record.’’ 

Before that, in 2009, you suggested that the VA, and I quote, 

‘‘* * * was overzealous in applying the anti-pyramiding rule, thus 

unfairly denying veterans an appropriate evaluation.’’ 

In a 2009 speech you said this. ‘‘It seems that when the VA 

thinks of inadequate medical exams, they envision a veteran receiving an unjustifiably high evaluation because the examiner 

63 

failed to perform a test that could have resulted in a lower evaluation.’’ 

Again in 2006, you wrote, ‘‘Without doubt, advocate view with 

distrust and cynicism VA decisions concerning the credibility of 

probative value and weight assigned to medical linkage options.’’ 

In light of those comments, how would you characterize your 

opinion of the VA in general and the Board of Appeals specifically? 

Ms. BARTLEY. Thank you, Senator. 

How would I characterize my opinion of the VA? I do think that 

perspective matters immensely when that question is asked. When 

I wrote those statements, I was acting as a vigorous advocate for 

veterans, and I believe that there would be many veterans, many 

veterans’ advocates, service officers, and lawyers who practice in 

the field who would agree with me on those statements as an 

advocate. 

I understand that there are, as I said, perspective matters and 

that if when VA testifies at their hearings et cetera, about the 

progress that has been made in helping veterans in achieving better decisions, I believe that from their perspective, they are accurate as well. 

I believe that some progress has been made and that they faithfully say that to you. So, I do believe it is a matter of perspective. 

If you are a veteran who has been denied multiple times and has 

had a bad experience with the VA, then your perspective would be 

one similar to the comments that I made about VA. 

Senator BURR. Let me ask you about one area if I could. 

As you know, the VA offers need-based pension benefits to certain disabled veterans with little income or assets. Last year you 

gave a speech in which you suggested that veterans could transfer 

their assets to others in order to qualify for VA pensions. 

In fact, you gave an example of how a veteran with $400,000 in 

stock and $50,000 in annual income could qualify for a VA pension 

by setting up a trust. 

Do you believe it could undermine the integrity of the pension 

program if veterans intentionally transfer their assets to friends 

and families in order to qualify for benefits that are supposed to 

be need based? 

Ms. BARTLEY. Thank you, Senator. 

I should make one clarification and that is that example of how 

a veteran might become entitled to a pension or a pension with ‘‘A’’ 

and ‘‘A’’ was made based on a VA General Counsel precedent opinion that directly addresses that issue. 

It was not something that I came up with on my own. I can cite 

to you at a later date, possibly in writing, the VA General Counsel’s opinion where they talk about moving assets into revocable 

trusts, and that if the veteran did not have control over the funds 

that would be sufficient in VA’s view to make him or her so that 

that income or that net worth would not be accountable for VA 

pensions. 

Senator BURR. You would agree that veterans should not intentionally divest themselves for the purposes of becoming eligible for 

a need-based pension? 

64 

Ms. BARTLEY. Well, Senator, in my role as an advocate, I try to 

let veterans and their advisers know the rules, and VA has established this rule. 

I think it could have been—I am not saying for certain—an ethical lapse on my part. I was talking to attorneys in Montgomery 

County, the Montgomery County Bar Association, dealing with 

wills and trusts and estates; and I was pointing out that this was, 

indeed, a rule established by VA in their VA General Counsel 

opinion. 

It could well be an ethical lapse if I did not advise them of the 

rule or if they, likewise, had been trained by me, had a client who 

might be able to use that rule and they neglected to inform the client of that ruling. 

Senator BURR. I thank you for that answer. I appreciate the fact 

that you understand that we need to be as thorough in where we 

explore and what we ask; and I raise those issues just to point out 

how significant the many hats that you are putting on. 

Ms. BARTLEY. Yes. 

Senator BURR. Both having been advocates, both now sitting on 

the bench with the responsibility of decisions—decisions to be made 

based upon the facts in an impartial way—basically discarding 

your prior work lives, other than the influence for the passion of 

the individuals that you hear from. 

Madam Chairman, thank you. And I also want to thank both of 

you for your willingness to respond to the President’s request to 

serve and with the genuine understanding of the importance, 

which I sense from both of you, about serving on the court. 

Thank you. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much. 

Senator Akaka. 

Senator AKAKA. Thank you, Chairman Murray. 

General Pietsch, opponents of the Expedited Claims Adjudication 

Initiative suggest that veterans are forfeiting their due process 

rights in an attempt to have their disability claims processed in a 

more timely fashion. 

My question to you is, what are your thoughts on this initiative? 

General PIETSCH. Thank you, Senator Akaka. 

I think generally speaking an expedite claims procedure has its 

place and can be helpful. However, at the same time, I believe that 

the due process protections need to be there, especially when you 

have a process and a program, shall we say, where there may be 

future claims. 

So definitely, I think that there is a place for expedited procedures, but there is also a very important place for due process. 

That should be made available and ensured for each claimant. 

Senator AKAKA. Thank you. 

Ms. Bartley, pro bono attorneys and non-attorney advocates play 

an important role in providing representation to appellants who 

may otherwise have to navigate through the process without 

representation. 

What are your views on the importance of attorney or advocate 

representation, and what role should the Court play in addressing 

this issue? 

65 

Ms. BARTLEY. Well, I do believe that at the Veterans Court level, 

if not even before the VA, representation by an experienced nonattorney practitioner or by a lawyer, whether he or she be pro bono 

or for a fee, is extremely important. 

Certainly, when I sometimes get cold calls from veterans asking 

about that very question, whether it is important to have a lawyer 

or whether they can go without one, and I would certainly always 

counsel that the VA has lawyers representing the Secretary’s position and that the veteran needs to have an advocate especially as 

the Court level. 

It also helps the Court out immensely to have an advocate representation because then the Court does not have to look for the 

issues on its own and come up with arguments on its own. It can 

merely read well-written briefs, and that is extremely important. 

Senator AKAKA. Thank you very much. 

To both of you, as we discussed, Veterans Claims judges review 

a high volume of cases and must be able to prioritize and delegate 

certain tasks. Will you please describe each of your individual management styles, including the role you envision for law clerks in 

your chambers, for instance, but more important your style and 

how you would handle this? 

General Pietsch. 

General PIETSCH. Thank you, sir. 

My management style is one of inclusion. I like to include people 

in my decisionmaking. I like to get all the information possible because that is the only way you can make an informed decision. 

I would like to lead by example with respect to my law clerks. 

I would want them to feel that they could come to me for advice, 

and I would want them to not be reluctant to come and discuss 

with me perhaps a differing opinion or something that might be 

controversial. 

So, my management style is to be inclusive of everybody. 

Senator AKAKA. Thank you. 

Ms. Bartley. 

Ms. BARTLEY. Thank you, Senator. 

My management style I guess I would call it collaborative. It 

might be called inclusive, participatory. I find that I enjoy talking 

to people about their perspective. It is actually difficult for me to 

make a decision sometimes without talking it out either in my own 

head, you know, presenting each side of the issue or preferably 

with other people. 

I have some former law clerks here in the audience. I hope they 

would back me up when I say that I do like to get opinions from 

other people on what they are thinking. 

Of course, I would be the ultimate decisionmaker but some kind 

of collaboration and participation from them would be extremely 

important. At least, it always has been in the past. 

If confirmed and if I would direct a chambers, I am sure that my 

management style might change somewhat but that is what has 

worked for me in the past. 

Senator AKAKA. Thank you very much to each of you. I want to 

wish you well. 

My time has expired. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much. 

66 

Senator Isakson. 

STATEMENT OF HON. JOHNNY ISAKSON, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM GEORGIA 

Senator ISAKSON. Thank you, Madam Chairman. 

I should know the answer. I think I do know the answer to the 

question, General Pietsch, but let me ask it. You are the last arbiter at the Court of Appeals on a decision, is that not correct? 

General PIETSCH. The decision—if it is not acceptable, the veteran may appeal the case to the Federal Circuit Court. 

Senator ISAKSON. But you are the last one within the veteran 

system? 

General PIETSCH. Yes. 

Senator ISAKSON. It then goes to civilian courts? 

General PIETSCH. Well, actually the Court of Veterans Claims is 

independent from the VA. 

Senator ISAKSON. But you are at the point where you have exercised tremendous influence on the process in terms of claims? 

General PIETSCH. Yes, including making precedential decisions. 

Senator ISAKSON. I am going to make remarks rather than ask 

questions specifically. 

I really appreciated your answer about expedited process while 

never abdicating the rule of justice and due process to the veteran. 

Sometimes the protracted time actually is to the benefit of the veteran. We need to remember that. I thought your comment was very 

balanced. 

I appreciate your advocacy, Ms. Bartley, as far as veterans were 

concerned. You are going to be in a position, if confirmed, on the 

Court of Appeals, to help correct some of the things that you referred to in some of those comments that Senator Burr made 

earlier. 

I hope you will take the position to do that in those cases where 

you think it is appropriate. 

Ms. BARTLEY. Thank you, Senator. 

Yes, I would not hesitate where the law required that. 

Senator ISAKSON. I think on behalf of the Committee expedited 

process but never abdicating due process is the ultimate goal for 

all of us so our veterans get a response in a timely fashion under 

very difficult circumstances. 

I appreciate both your willingness to serve. 

Thank you, Madam Chairman. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much. 

I want to thank both of our nominees for being here today and 

for answering our questions. Most importantly, thank you for your 

desire to serve our Nation’s veterans. 

The dysfunction of the claims system, the volume of work at the 

Court and the valuable role that it does play in the lives of veterans makes clear the importance of these nominations. 

So, I look forward to working with my Ranking Member Burr 

and my Committee to schedule a markup and move forward with 

these nominations as quickly as possible, and I also will continue 

to press the administration to send us an additional nomination for 

the Court to help address the timeliness problems that both the 

Ranking Member and I talked about this morning. 

67 

With that, again thank you to both of you and your families and 

support groups who are here. 

We look forward to moving these as quickly as possible. Thank 

you. 

[Whereupon, at 10:35 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.] 

(69) 

A P P E N D I X 

[Letter from Helene L. Allen, Honolulu, HI, in support of Coral 

Wong Pietsch:] 


328apALL.eps
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[Letter from Stephen D. Andersson in support of Coral Wong 

Pietsch:] 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE OPERATIONS, 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, 

Washington, DC, February 10, 2012. 

Mr. MATT LAWRENCE, 

Chief Clerk, 

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. LAWRENCE: I write in support of the nomination of Coral Pietsch to the 

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. I had the privilege of working with BG 

Coral Pietsch during the time I served in the Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction 

Team (PRT) during 2007. During that time, I took a sojourn from my longtime career within the United States Department of Justice to serve as the Rule of Law 

Coordinator for the PRT’s Rule of Law section. The Rule of Law section was fortunate to have BG Pietsch assigned to work with us. 

It was an honor to work with BG Pietsch. Rarely does one have the opportunity 

to be professionally associated someone with such a broad and rich legal background. BG Pietsch’s background includes time in the U.S. Army, the Hawaii Attorney General’s Office, and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. Based upon this experience, it was quite understandable why she become the first female General officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps as well as the first female Asian-American General officer in the U.S. Army. 

Within the PRT, BG Pietsch was an amazingly valuable asset. The section’s responsibilities included working with rule of law stakeholders including, but not limited to, Iraqi judges, prosecutors, police, private bar attorneys, and bar associations. 

We traveled out of the Baghdad International Zone on a regular basis to meet with 

these stakeholders at their offices, assess their rule of law capacity, and develop programs to further their work. Ours was not easy work, but as her supervisor, I could 

always count on BG Pietsch to provide the Rule of Law section with helpful and 

informative reports of her meetings with Iraqi stakeholders and insightful suggestions for the way forward. It was a pleasure to work with someone possessing such 

competence and ability to execute. 

Having worked in front of trial and appellate judges for over 30 years, I have a 

certain understanding and appreciation of characteristics essential in good judges. 

Three of those characteristics are intelligence, the ability to write, and a steady disposition. Having firsthand observed BG Pietsch’s work, I can say without question 

that she possesses all three of these characteristics. BG Pietsch’s excellent work is 

made possible, in part, by her sharp legal mind, her ability to communicate, and 

her ability to get along with others. These are traits that have served her well 

throughout her legal career, and would serve her, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and the United States well should she be confirmed. 

I could go on, but I am confident that you will hear from many others in even 

greater detail in support of BG Pietsch’s nomination. BG Pietsch has dedicated a 

lifetime of service both to her state and the United States. I am confident that the 

abilities and characteristics I saw her demonstrate in Baghdad would make her an 

outstanding jurist, and I respectfully recommend her confirmation. 

I would be happy to respond to any other questions the Committee may have. 

Respectfully yours, 

STEPHEN D. ANDERSSON, 

Director. 

71 

[Letter from Sara K’imipono Banks, Jr., Specialist and 

Videographer, University of Hawaii at Manoa, in support of Coral 

Wong Pietsch:] 


328apBAN.eps
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[Letter from LTG Scott C. Black, U.S. Army (Ret.), in support of 

Coral Wong Pietsch:] 

Rockville, MD, March 19, 2012. 

HON. Patty Murray, 

Chairman, 

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MADAM CHAIRMAN, I am writing in support of Ms. Coral Wong Pietsch’s appointment to serve as a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 

I retired from the United States Army in late 2009, after 35 years of active duty 

service. In my final tour, I served as The Judge Advocate General of the United 

States Army (Lieutenant General), and was stationed in the Pentagon. I am now 

employed as a Vice President & General Manager with BAE Systems, Inc. in Rockville, Maryland. 

I have known Ms. Pietsch for over ten years, as a result of our service together 

in the Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Over the years, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to interact with Coral in professional and social settings, and to assess her character, intellect, and legal abilities. In short, she is an 

impressive individual in every respect, and an absolutely superb candidate for service as a Judge on the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 

In my last position as the Army Judge Advocate General, I managed a legal organization of over 9,500 lawyers, paralegals, and support staff, stationed in over 650 

offices in 19 countries. I selected and supervised trial and appellate level judges, as 

well as attorneys who practice and supervise the delivery of trial and appellate legal 

services around the Army. As such, I am fairly familiar with the attributes necessary to succeed in positions of significant responsibility in the judicial arena. 

Coral Pietsch has everything you could hope to find in your very best candidate 

for selection for this position. She is extremely intelligent, technically proficient, a 

superb communicator, and a natural leader who possesses the balanced temperament one would expect to find in the finest member of the judiciary. Her resume 

is replete with challenges met and conquered; she is energetic, dependable, and extraordinarily hard working. Coral is literally brimming with enthusiasm for life and 

committed to the pursuit of excellence in everything she undertakes. 

I know from my contacts with Coral and others that she is well prepared for service as an Appellate Judge. In particular, she brings a wealth of long-term experience 

and success as an active duty and Reserve Soldier, experience that is further enhanced by her deployment to Iraq in support of Rule of Law Operations, and her 

continuing service as a senior civilian attorney on the staff of U.S. Army Pacific. 

Moreover, she would bring to the Appellate bench a plethora of other related professional affiliations that will give her a level of experience and understanding that 

would be very difficult to match. 

In sum, Coral Pietsch is aggressive, sharp, confident, and dedicated to service to 

the legal profession and the citizens of our country who rely on the protections afforded by our system of laws. She has the personality, intellect, background, analytical skills, and capability to instinctively understand and respond to the ‘‘greater 

good,’’ without ever losing sight of the small details. I simply cannot think of enough 

words to adequately capture her qualities or potential for service at the highest levels of responsibility. She has my strongest recommendation for selection. 

If you have questions, I would be pleased to assist, and can be reached by phone 

at (301) 838–6820. 

Respectfully, 

SCOTT C. BLACK, 

Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Ret.). 

73 

[Letter from GEN David A. Bramlett, U.S. Army (Ret.), in support of Coral Wong Pietsch:] 

February 19, 2012. 

HON. Patty Murray, Chairman, 

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. 

DEAR CHAIRMAN MURRAY: I have known Coral Pietsch for over 25 years and have 

worked with her on several occasions. I have sought her counsel on environmental 

matters, operational concerns, and during many other times when I needed thoughtful input and balanced perspective. Her skills and abilities transcend the legal profession and encompass a greater understanding of human nature and a profound 

appreciation for doing what is right. 

She is a lawyer of surpassing humanity and unerring judgment. I profoundly 

share the President’s confidence in his nominating her for this most important position. With her confirmation, the nation will be assured of a Judge who understands 

veterans, their myriad of challenges, and the complexities of honoring our commitments to veterans consistent with circumstances and regulatory guidance. 

Her considerable experience in the Army, to include her operational and administrative work; her efforts with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission; and her stint 

as the State’s Deputy Attorney General reflect her extraordinary background and 

preparation. 

Without a doubt, her Army experience of decades of dedicated service is the preeminent qualification. She has seen and assimilated the ethos, the sacrifice, and distinguishing nature of military service. This qualification will validate her presence 

in the Appeals process and will reassure the veteran that his/her claim will be 

heard by one who understands. 

I ask the Senate to confirm this outstanding American, Coral Pietsch, for the position of Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 

Sincerely, 

DAVID A. BRAMLETT, 

General, US Army (Ret.). 

74 

[Letter from Brian X. Bush, Chief, Environmental and Labor 

Law, U.S. Air Force Academy; COL, U.S. Army JAG Corps (Ret.), 

in support of Coral Wong Pietsch:] 


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[Letter from Rai Saint Chu, Attorney, in support of Coral Wong 

Pietsch:] 


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[Letter from COL James M. Coyne, U.S. Army (Ret.), in support 

of Coral Wong Pietsch:] 


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[Letter from BG Raymond Gandy, Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.), in support of Coral Wong Pietsch:] 


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[Letter from Allen K. Hoe, Attorney at Law, in support of Coral 

Wong Pietsch:] 


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[Letter from LTC Arthurine Jones, U.S. Army, Civil Affairs, in 

support of Coral Wong Pietsch:] 


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[Letter from COL Thomas R. Keller, U.S. Army (Ret.), in support 

of Coral Wong Pietsch:] 


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[Letter from Edward H. Kubo, Jr., Circuit Court Judge, First Circuit, State of Hawaii, in support of Coral Wong Pietsch:] 


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[Letter from COL Mark David Maxwell, U.S. Army, in support 

of Coral Wong Pietsch:] 


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PREPARED STATEMENT OF ANDY PASSEN, TRANSITION DIRECTOR, AMERICAN EMBASSY, 

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

Greetings from Kabul, Afghanistan, where I am serving as Transition Director at 

the American Embassy here. I am writing to offer my strong support for General 

(ret) Coral Pietsch, who was recently nominated by President Obama to serve as 

Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeal for Veterans Claims. Coral let me know that the 

Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs would consider written statements in support 

of her nomination. Considering where I am serving, I hope you will forgive me the 

informal nature of this submission. 

This is my second hardship/danger post in the past four years. From July 2007 

to July 2008, I was the Team Leader of the Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction 

Team (PRT), the largest PRT in either Iraq or Afghanistan. During my time as the 

head of the Baghdad PRT, I came to know General Coral Pietsch, who was serving 

as the Deputy Rule of Law Coordinator. In this position she interacted with the Embassy, senior leaders in the Multi National Force—Iraq, key members of the Iraqi 

legal community and the Iraqi judiciary, and various Non-Governmental Organizations on a regular and continuing basis to further the Rule of Law programs that 

she and her colleagues were implementing under my direction. Coral and I worked 

closely together coordinating these innovative, high-profile, and very effective 

projects among the numerous agencies—Iraqi national, provincial, and municipal 

bodies, international partners, and military units—working with our PRT. 

Coral impressed me with her extremely thoughtful, reflective style of engaging 

with all interlocutors. She earned a well-deserved reputation as a leader who looked 

at all perspectives prior to making a decision—and in the Iraqi war-time environment, with so many civilian offices and military units contributing to our PRT efforts, this was an especially important skill. Coral is sensitive yet objective; she is 

extremely thorough and makes sure all opinions are considered. In her leadership 

position, she guided her staff with sensitivity, and collaborated extremely well with 

other elements of our large PRT. Coral impressed me with her cultural sensitivities 

as well; she quickly grasped the interpersonal, cultural, and societal nuances of 

work in Iraq, and was careful not to impose ideas on others. An effective team player, Coral exhibited calmness and considerable poise during this year-long period of 

considerable danger (and the concomitant high stress) when the International Zone 

was experiencing incessant rocket and mortar attacks that affected the PRT staff’s 

ability to discharge our duties. 

Demonstrating great personal initiative, Coral developed a number of outstanding 

proposals that enhanced the Iraqi legal community’s professional and human resources capacity to reinvigorate their profession. Examples included a legal clinic for 

detainees in Iraqi-operated detention facilities, updated legal resources for the Iraqi 

law schools, and infrastructure improvements for the Iraqi Bar and Judiciary. Ambassador Ryan Crocker once commented that her work on the legal aid clinic for 

Iraqi detainees was one of the best examples of Department of State and military 

cooperation in Iraq. 

In short, General Coral Pietsch was a congenial and highly effective member of 

the Baghdad PRT during a year of intense danger and great opportunity. Based on 

my close collaboration with General Pietsch, I have complete confidence that she 

will make an excellent Judge on the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and 

will continue to reflect great credit on the U.S. Military and on our judiciary. I add 

my voice of support to her nomination, and hope that the Senate Committee will 

favorably consider her nomination. 

With warm regards from Kabul. 

[Letter from COL Randy Pullen, U.S. Army (Ret.), in support of 

Coral Wong Pietsch:] 

Alexandria, VA, March 15, 2012. 

HON. Patty Murray, Chairman, 

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. 

DEAR CHAIRMAN MURRAY: I am delighted to write to you about Brigadier General 

(Retired) Coral Wong Pietsch, to strongly support confirming her nomination as 

Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. I have been privileged to 

know Coral since 1995 when we both served together at Headquarters, U.S. Army 

Pacific (USARPAC), in Hawaii. We have been professional colleagues and close 

87 

friends. I have the highest regard for her as an attorney, a jurist, a soldier and a 

person. 

When I met Coral, she was then the Senior Civilian Attorney in the USARPAC 

Staff Judge Advocate office and an Army Reserve Judge Advocate General officer 

in the 9th Army Reserve Command. As the Assistant Public Affairs Officer for 

USARPAC and a full-time Army Reserve officer, I got to know her well in both 

roles. I soon began to rely on her as an essential resource to assist in both legal 

and Reserve matters affecting our entire Pacific-wide area of responsibility. 

I also got to see her in action outside the headquarters, again in both her civilian 

and military capacities. We both deployed to the Philippines in 1995 for Balikatan 

1995, a major exercise between the Armed Forces of the United States and the Philippines. Then-Colonel Pietsch was the senior legal officer for the combined American-Filipino force. Her exercise duties were suddenly expanded to deal with a number of additional legal issues that arose when a super typhoon swept through the 

exercise area on Luzon. She handled this real-world challenge as expertly as she 

did the exercise. More than that, however, I observed her concern for the wellbeing 

and safety of our soldiers in the aftermath of the typhoon, checking to be sure they 

were personally OK and that their damaged property claims were dealt with swiftly. 

I also observed her deploying as a civilian attorney for USARPAC on incident exercises to remote Johnston Atoll. Both the command and the deploying troops could 

always count on getting the best legal advice from her on these. 

Coral’s reputation as a lawyer and a soldier was such that in 1996, she was called 

to active duty to serve for six months as the active duty USARPAC Staff Judge Advocate, the top lawyer for the Army’s Pacific Command. In the pre-9/11 Army, it was 

much less common for Reserve officers to be given such key active duty assignments. Coral’s selection at this time demonstrates what an outstanding Judge Advocate General Corps officer she was. 

After I was reassigned to the Office of the Chief of the Army Reserve in Washington, DC, in 1998, I continued to stay in touch with Coral. In 2001, our paths 

crossed professionally again when she was selected for promotion to brigadier general. Naturally, I was very pleased my friend had been chosen for promotion but 

this was also a proud moment for the Army and especially the Army Reserve. Coral’s selection—and subsequent promotion after Senate confirmation—made her both 

the first woman Asian Pacific American general and the first woman Judge Advocate General Corps general in the history of the U.S. Army. This was a major 

achievement for both the Army and the Army Reserve and I was delighted that I 

could do much of the public affairs work to publicize her accomplishment. I have 

included with this letter one of the many articles I wrote about her, one that was 

published by the Department of Defense’s American Forces Press Service. 

In the years since, we have continued to be good friends and I have followed her 

career closely. Her volunteering to deploy to Iraq as the Deputy Rule of Law Coordinator for the Department of State’s Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction Team from 

2007 to 2008 came as no surprise to me. It was just one more example of Coral finding a new avenue to share her incredible knowledge with others—as well as a way 

to help a new group of people. 

I have complete confidence in Coral taking up her new responsibilities in exactly 

the same manner she has tackled every other thing she has done in her life, with 

determination, with compassion, with skill and with the desire to do what is right, 

for the country and for those who serve our country. I am convinced that the government and those who come before her court will have their interests equally respected by her. 

Coral’s life experiences make her an ideal choice for the position for which she 

has been nominated. As someone who had risen to the heights of the legal profession in both the civilian and military service, she knows and appreciates the perspective of the government. But in rising to those heights, she knows the perspective of the underdog, of those who have to fight to get ahead, of those who may not 

always expect to get justice but keep striving for it anyway. She knows that viewpoint because she has lived it. 

I can think of no better person to serve on the Federal bench, particularly the 

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, than one who has had the life story of 

Coral Wong Pietsch. 

Respectfully, 

RANDY PULLEN

Attachment: News Article 

88 

NEWS ARTICLE: WATERLOO TO WASHINGTON: 

THE LONG JOURNEY OF CORAL WONG PIETSCH


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[Letter from Gregory Shogren, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, in support of Coral Wong Pietsch:] 


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PREPARED STATEMENT OF MELVIN K. SOONG, COLONEL, JAG, U.S. ARMY RESERVES

(RET.), CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, FIRST CIRCUIT, STATE OF HAWAII (RET.), IN SUPPORT OF CORAL WONG PIETSCH, BG (RET.) 

CHAIRMAN MURRAY AND MEMBERS OF SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN’S AFFAIRS: 

I write to urge your support in confirming Coral Wong Pietsch as a Judge of the 

United States Court of Appeals for Veteran’s Claims. 

I first met Coral when she and her husband Jim joined the Judge Advocate General’s section HQ IX Corps(Aug), a section I was in command of here in Honolulu 

in the early 1980’s. The HQ was the unit in charge of all Army reserve units in 

Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Marianna Islands. I found Coral to be 

calm, observant, resourceful, competent, and complete in her work. She has that 

ability to convey to the parties in a conflict that their position has been heard and 

considered, and that a fair decision will be reached. 

Coral has achieved many ‘‘firsts’’ and other accomplishments in her continuing career. I know such information has been made available to you and I need not elaborate. But I would like to mention that her reputation here in Hawaii is excellent. 

She is very highly regarded in the legal community, the community itself, and the 

military community. Her volunteering to serve a year in Iraq was truly patriotic and 

at great sacrifice to her. 

May I respectfully urge your confirmation of Coral for the Judge’s position. 

Thank you. 


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[Letter from COL Terry E. Thomason, U.S. Army (Ret.), in support of Coral Wong Pietsch:] 


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PREPARED STATEMENT OF LES UEOKA, COMMISSIONER, HAWAII CIVIL RIGHTS

COMMISSION; AND BILL HOSHIJO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DEAR CHAIR MURRAY, RANKING MEMBER BURR, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE: I write in strong support of the nomination of Coral Wong Pietsch to serve 

as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. I have known General 

Pietsch since 2005, when I was appointed to serve as a commissioner on the Hawaii 

Civil Rights Commission, of which she served as chair. Over the next seven years 

until her retirement from the Commission in 2012, I had the good fortune and privilege of working closely with General Pietsch. She is a tireless public servant whose 

greatest attribute, in my opinion, is that she leads by example. 

General Pietsch has qualities that will serve her well as a judge. First and foremost, General Pietsch is principled, honest and fair. She listens to all points of view 

and treats everyone with courtesy and respect. Even when the Commissioners disagreed on an issue, her leadership kept us from being disagreeable. Second, General 

Pietsch’s record of public service speaks volumes. I am certain that she will provide 

details of her service, so I will simply point out the highlights, including her pioneering career in the U.S. Army, her chairing the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, 

and her volunteering to serve in Iraq while on the Commission to help build and 

establish its judicial and legal system. Finally, General Pietsch is devoted to the law 

and justice. In every endeavor, she demonstrates a respect for the law that is uncompromising and a focus on justice that remains unwavering. 

General Pietsch will be a great judge, and I support her without any reservation. 

Thank you for this opportunity to submit written testimony. 


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[Letter from Arthur Wellman, Attorney, Col., JA, U.S. Army 

(Ret.), in support of Coral Wong Pietsch:] 


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[Letter from Lisa Wong, Manager, Human Resources, Training, 

Health and Safety, Hawaiian and Cultural Programs, Hawaii Convention Center, in support of Coral Wong Pietsch:] 


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(99) 

NOMINATION OF THOMAS SKERIK SOWERS II, 

PH.D., TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF 

PUBLIC AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2012 

U.S. SENATE, 

COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS, 

Washington, DC. 

The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in room 418, 

Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Patty Murray, Chairman of 

the Committee, presiding. 

Present: Senators Murray, Webb, Begich, Burr, and Boozman. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. PATTY MURRAY, CHAIRMAN, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON 

Chairman MURRAY. Good morning. The Committee will come to 

order. 

Welcome to today’s hearing to consider the nomination of Dr. 

Tommy Sowers to be Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs. I am 

very pleased to welcome Dr. Sowers and his apparently numerous 

family members who are with him today. 

And, I also wanted to just take a second and recognize a former 

colleague, Senator Max Cleland. Dear friend, it is wonderful to see 

you here today as well. 

In a moment, we are going to hear all about the nominee’s qualifications. He will be introduced by Senator McCaskill. She will be 

arriving shortly, and before she comes I am going to spend a 

minute talking about the office he has been nominated to lead and 

the issues, if confirmed. As the second-largest department in the 

Federal Government, VA’s outreach extensive. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs serves more than eight million veterans’ health care needs every year, delivers compensation 

and pension benefits to more than four million Americans and veterans, provides life insurance to approximately seven million active-duty members and veterans, provides burial honors for nearly 

120,000 veterans and eligible family members, and delivers more 

than 10 billion dollars’ worth of education assistance every year. 

Dr. Sowers, you have been nominated to lead an office that is 

charged with providing veterans and their families with the latest 

information on all of the services, benefits, and programs that VA 

100 

offers for an organization that, as the Secretary often says, is the 

equivalent of a Fortune 15 company. 

If confirmed as the Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, you will play a key role in meeting the President’s challenge of transforming VA. 

One of the key responsibilities of this position is to oversee the 

Department’s outreach efforts. In recent years, the Department has 

increased its efforts to transform from a reactive to a proactive organization by creating an Outreach Office to make more veterans 

aware of their benefits. It has also increasingly focused on new social media, like Facebook and Twitter. 

However, with nearly 50 percent of eligible Iraq and Afghanistan 

veterans still not using VA health care, the Department clearly has 

more work to do if it is going to expand its reach to more veterans, 

regardless of where they live or how they access information. 

As Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, 

you will be called upon to publicly respond to incidents, both good 

and bad, that will have a direct impact on the level of trust veterans place in the VA. 

Members of this Committee have seen all too often how isolated 

incidents at local VA facilities, and the failure to respond with sufficient information in response to those incidents, have negatively 

impacted the perception of VA as a whole. 

In addition to serving as a spokesman for VA, you will also have 

responsibility for overseeing the Department’s relationships with 

the rest of the Federal Government, including the Department of 

Defense, as well as with State and local governments. These relationships are critical to the Department’s ability to deliver the 

highest quality care and benefits to this country’s veterans and cut 

across issues ranging from homelessness and housing issues to 

small business and seamless transition issues. 

This is an important position and one whose impact will be felt 

by veterans of all generations in this country. 

So, I look forward to hearing your testimony and learning about 

your plans, if confirmed. 

I believe the Ranking Member is on his way. But awaiting his 

arrival, Senator McCaskill has arrived, and we want to give her 

the opportunity—the Ranking Member has arrived if you do not 

mind, Senator, I am going to proceed with Senator McCaskill and 

then we will go to your opening statement. 

Senator McCaskill, thank you so much for coming today and introducing someone you know well. 

STATEMENT OF HON. CLAIRE McCASKILL, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSOURI 

Senator MCCASKILL. Thank you, Madam Chairman, and I also 

want to thank Senator Burr for being here. 

You have an extraordinary Missourian in front of you today. This 

is a special man, and I say that not because he was raised in Rolla, 

Missouri, which actually is the town I was born in because my parents lived in Houston where there was not a hospital. So, my mom 

and dad had to drive to Rolla for my birth. 

101 

His grandfather was the editor of the local paper in Rolla and 

he took his lessons that he learned growing up in rural Missouri 

and completed the ROTC program while he was at Duke. 

In the Army, Tommy had an amazing career. He commanded a 

combat engineer platoon in Kosovo. He excelled in the U.S. Army 

Special Forces qualification course, graduating first in his class. 

As a Green Beret, he served two tours in Iraq and went on to 

teach the next generation as a professor at West Point. He was 

decorated for his service, including two bronze stars. 

He understands, I think this is really important, he understands 

today’s veteran. I think that sometimes we forget because maybe 

I am guilty of this because my dad fought in World War II and so 

many of the veterans that my office interacts with are of the Vietnam era. They are of maybe the Korean War, still many of them 

from World War II. 

I think we forget that today’s Veterans Administration really 

needs to have someone in the highest levels of the Administration 

that understands today’s veteran. 

Obviously, Dr. Tommy Sowers brings that to this job. He understands the work that lies ahead. He understands government. He 

actually has taught government at a university in Missouri. 

But, most importantly he has really got great people skills; and 

for this job, you know, it is called Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, I think we all know that that means you have got to not only 

be able to communicate well to the public and communicate to veterans about what the Veterans Administration can do for them, but 

he also has to interact with the rest of government. 

And that takes someone who understands not just how to be a 

leader but also how to be a team player, and you do not get your 

way in the Federal Government by being hard to get along with. 

You get your way in the Federal Government by listening and 

working with others, but also being driven by a passion. Dr. 

Tommy Sowers has that passion. 

He has an extraordinary intellect. He has an amazing resume in 

terms of his actual experience, and I am so proud that this Administration saw fit to nominate him. I think he may be one of the finest leaders that the Veterans Administration will ever have, and I 

cannot recommend him to this Committee, the U.S. Senate, or the 

American people more highly. 

Thank you, Madam Chairman. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much, Senator McCaskill. 

Thank you very much for your very compelling statement. We really appreciate that. 

With that, I am going to turn to my Ranking Member, Senator 

Burr, for his opening statement. 

STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BURR, RANKING MEMBER, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM NORTH CAROLINA 

Senator BURR. Madam Chairman, thank you. I apologize for my 

tardiness and thank you to my colleague for a gracious introduction. 

Dr. Sowers, welcome to you and more importantly to your family 

and friends who are here. 

102 

I find it a little bit odd to have a Duke graduate that had military service, ROTC at Duke, you are too smart I thought to do 

that. [Laughter.] 

The fact is that I am grateful to you. Duke is a tremendous 

school. I am a Wake Forest graduate. So, we have learned over the 

years to put up with Duke graduates. [Laughter.] 

Thank you for your service to our country’s military, for all of the 

individuals that commit to serve. This is a Nation that will always 

be grateful for that service, and I think the nomination that the 

White House has made is a continuation of that service in a different fashion. 

To start with, the office that you have been nominated for is responsible for assessing and coordinating outreach activities that VA 

carries out agencywide. 

Over the years, VA has had many different methods to inform 

veterans and other stakeholders about VA benefits, services, and 

activities. But, until recently, little was known about the cost or 

outcomes of those outreach efforts. Although VA now tracks how 

much is spent, there is still work to be done to fully understand 

which outreach methods work the best and to gauge the overall effectiveness of VA’s outreach efforts. 

In other words, let us make sure that we are getting as much 

bang for our buck, that those outreach efforts are reaching the people that we are trying to reach. 

The Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs also oversees 

sports programs and special events for veterans with disabilities, 

including VA’s Paralympic Program. That program is meant to expand the opportunities for veterans with disabilities to participate 

in adaptive sports, by providing grants to organizations that sponsor these activities around the country. 

To fulfill that purpose, VA must ensure that as much of that 

funding as possible is directly benefiting disabled veterans who 

want to participate in these activities. 

Madam Chairman, before I turn it back to you, I want to mention one other role of this office, which is to assist in VA’s initiative 

to reduce the number of homeless veterans. 

In recent years, there has been a large increase in the funding 

for homeless programs but there are questions about what results 

are being achieved and whether certain segments of the veteran 

population, including women veterans, are being well served. 

Moving forward, VA must ensure that these resources are being 

used as effectively to help struggling veterans reach positive outcomes as we can possibly do. 

And, I lay that out to you, Dr. Sowers, as just a few areas that 

would require your incredible attention on your part, if you are 

confirmed for this. 

I look forward to discussing with you how you carry out these duties and, more importantly, how you would ensure that the efforts 

of the office are leading to real improvements for veterans, their 

families, and their survivors. 

I thank you. I thank the Chair. 

Chairman MURRAY. That you very much, Senator Burr. 

Dr. Sowers, thank you, first of all, for your service to our country 

and now your willingness to serve your fellow veterans in this new 

103 

capacity. I know all of us are looking forward to your testimony, 

but I know you also have a number of people in the audience today, 

and I would like you to go ahead and take a moment to introduce 

them to us. 

Mr. SOWERS. Chairman Murray, Ranking Member Burr, first off, 

thank you very much for the opportunity to come here today. I 

know Senator McCaskill just took off but those were very kind 

words, and she has been a great friend and a supporter not just 

to me but to veterans. 

Behind every veteran stands their family and their friends and 

their comrades and a lot of them have showed up today. 

First and foremost, I would like to recognize my wife Ericka. She 

is the daughter of a veteran, and she tolerates me on a day-to-day 

basis. 

My parents are sitting right behind me, Tom and Chris Sowers. 

They drove out here from Missouri, and my father served in the 

Army Reserves and the National Guard and my mom is a true 

Army brat, the daughter of a World War II paratrooper, Korea, 

Vietnam, and at one point had two brothers in Vietnam. Like so 

many other parents out there, they prayed and hoped for my return on my three deployments. 

They are joined today by two of my sisters and two of my four 

nephews. Bo and Mac Wallace from Greenville, South Carolina. As 

promised, boys, your names are now in the official Congressional 

record. [Laughter.] 

In Ranger training, I learned to never leave my battle buddy, 

and true to that, many of the folks that I served with are here 

today. 

Major Kecia McGriff and Jeremy Gray were there on my first 

day in uniform in Durham, NC, and they watched me learn how 

to lead. 

Major Rob Hudson and Ed King I also met in North Carolina, 

down in Fayetteville, during Special Forces training. They know 

that I do not quit. 

Two other currently serving officers, Major Fernando Lujan and 

Major Paul Patterson were there at the end of my career as a professor at West Point; and finally, I have got to recognize Chief 

Kevin Wells. Chief was my Deputy Detachment Commander on my 

ODA in Special Forces. I have not seen him for 5 years. He exemplifies what a quiet professional is and also the type of bond that 

you form in combat. 

For all of those veterans that are currently serving or have 

served, thank you very much. 

Chairman MURRAY. All right. Under the rules of this Committee, 

the testimony of all of our Presidential nominees appearing before 

the Committee have to be taken under oath. 

So, Dr. Sowers, will you now stand while I administer the oath. 

Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony that you are 

about to give before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will 

be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help 

you God? 

Mr. SOWERS. I do. 

Chairman MURRAY. Very good. With that, Dr. Sowers, you can 

begin with your opening statement. 

104 

STATEMENT OF THOMAS SKERIK SOWERS II, Ph.D., NOMINEE 

TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF PUBLIC AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

Mr. SOWERS. Chairman Murray, Ranking Member Burr, I am 

truly honored to come before you today as the nominee for Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the VA. 

I would like to express my deep gratitude to President Obama and 

Secretary Shinseki for their nomination and their confidence in my 

ability. 

Over the past few days, I had an opportunity to sit down with 

you and members of your staffs, to listen to you, to understand 

your priorities and concerns. I appreciate the opportunity now to 

answer your questions and gain further insight from you on how, 

if confirmed, I should approach this opportunity. 

But, I must begin simply by thanking the Committee, and this 

is a very personal thank you. As you may know, I am a recipient 

and a beneficiary of the new GI Bill. Just last Thursday was my 

Ph.D. graduation ceremony, a program which would not have existed under the old GI Bill. It took your alls’ leadership to make 

it happen. This label would not read Dr. Tommy Sowers without 

you. 

I am just one of hundreds of thousands of veterans out there who 

have had their lives transformed. They will continue on. They will 

build businesses. They will pay taxes. You have invested in them, 

so thank you very much. 

My story is similar to the story of many veterans. My time in the 

service made me strong. My time at war made me stronger and the 

VA has helped me heal and made me better. 

My 11 years in the Army made me strong. In the woods, 

swamps, and mountains of your States, my ability to lead was tested. I pushed tired legs up Donnelly Dome in Alaska, led troops over 

optical courses at Fort Lewis, WA, and have done quite a bit of 

business in North Carolina. 

The military instilled in me the duty, honor, teamwork, discipline, these bedrock values that made me strong. My three redeployments made me stronger. During a tour in Kosovo and two 

tours in Iraq, I found what many veterans find, a true test of my 

leadership, of my faith, and of my values. 

In that trial, I also formed a bond of respect with all those that 

stepped forward when their country called. And, once I hung up my 

uniform, VA has made me better. 

The veterans’ programs championed by you, passed by Congress, 

and executed by the Department of Veterans Affairs have improved 

my health and my future. 

Three years ago, as I transitioned from soldier to veteran, I went 

through the claims process and now receive my health care through 

the VA. I have experienced world-class care at the VA by highly 

competent professionals. 

At my last physical, my physician, Dr. Denise Davis, I asked her 

why she left private practice to come work at the VA. She said, ‘‘It 

is absolutely simple. We have the best patients in the world, and 

I get to take care of you for life.’’ I like having a physician that is 

looking at me for the long haul. 

105 

A decade ago I benefited from the VA’s home loan program that 

allowed me to achieve the dream of home ownership; and as I said, 

I personally know the incredible benefits of the new GI Bill. 

Members of the Committee, if you want to know what drives me, 

what makes me tick, it is very simple. Now that the military and 

the VA has given so much to me, if confirmed, I intend to give 

back. 

I realize that many veterans have lived a different story, veterans who did not know their benefits and others whose experience 

has been far less positive than mine. 

I do not come to you today with a list of easy policy solutions and 

quick fixes to the tough problems that our veterans face but I do 

come to you with this pledge. If confirmed, my mission will be to 

fight every day on behalf of veterans and their families so that they 

receive the benefits that I have received for their health, their education, and their future. 

This fight is not a skirmish. I know Secretary Shinseki and his 

team are working day in and day out. It is a long fight, a fight that 

dedicated employees of the VA have undertaken for many years. I 

also know that the VA does not fight this fight alone. 

With this positions’ intergovernmental role, if confirmed, I look 

forward to working together with other State, local, and Federal 

agencies and each of you to help promote a unified effort. 

Further, I understand the importance of fully engaging and 

partnering with veteran service organizations, advocacy organizations, the media, for-profits and non-profits. All are critical allies 

needed in this fight; and if confirmed, I pledge to work together 

with them and with you. 

For our cause, the cause of improving the lives of veterans and 

their families, is just, it is shared, and it is urgent, And for this 

cause, if confirmed, it would truly be an honor to serve my fellow 

veterans and my country again. 

Thank you. God bless your work, our veterans, and our country, 

and I look forward to answering your questions. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Sowers follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF THOMAS SKERIK SOWERS II, PH.D., NOMINEE TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR PUBLIC AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL

AFFAIRS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Chairman Murray, Ranking Member Burr, and Distinguished Members of the 

Committee, it is an honor to come before you today as President Obama’s nominee 

to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the 

Department of Veterans Affairs. It is with deep humility and gratitude to President 

Obama and Secretary Shinseki for their confidence in my ability to fulfill the responsibilities of this office. 

Senator McCaskill, thank you for your kind introduction. You have been a great 

mentor and friend to me, and a strong supporter of veterans. 

I would like to first introduce my wife, Ericka. Thank you so much for being by 

my side, today and always. 

I would also like to recognize my parents, Tom and Chris Sowers. My father was 

in the National Guard and my mom, a true Army brat, at one point had her father 

and two brothers serving in Vietnam. The example set by both my father and my 

wife’s father taught me what service to one’s country means; and what it is to take 

part in something bigger than one’s self. And it was my family that, in turn, supported me during my three deployments. 

We can never forget all of the parents, like mine, who have spent countless nights 

lying awake and hoping with all their strength that their loved ones can come home 

safely; and soon. Every person who has served in war understands the importance 

106 

of family and home. We owe our parents a debt of gratitude that can never be fully 

paid—Mom, Dad; I am so honored that you could be here today. Thank you. 

My parents drove here from my home state of Missouri, bringing with them two 

of my nephews, Bo and Mac Wallace. Thanks for being here boys; as promised you 

are now in the official Congressional Record. 

Next, some of my fellow brothers and sisters in arms are here. Fernando Lujan 

and Paul Patterson, thanks for your service and for standing with me today. I am 

proud and grateful to have had the privilege to serve with you in uniform. 

Over the past few days, I’ve had the privilege to meet with Members of the Committee and your staff, to listen and understand your ideas, priorities and insights. 

And I appreciate the chance now to explain a bit about my background, and to let 

you get a sense of how, if confirmed, I would approach this opportunity. 

I would like to begin by thanking the Committee for its service to the veterans’ 

community. This is a very personal thank you. Last Thursday was my official graduation ceremony for my Ph.D.—a degree made possible only through the new GI 

Bill. I am one of the thousands of veterans whose life has been improved because 

of your legislation. 

My 11 years in the military presented many challenges that helped me grow 

strong in mind and body. From hiking up Donnelly Dome in Alaska, to leading 

squads over obstacle courses at Fort Lewis, Washington; to Ranger training in 

Dahlonega and Fort Benning, Georgia, to Special Forces training in North Carolina’s Pineland, to night parachuting into Fort Lee, Virginia, my military training 

forged in me the values, leadership and qualities of our military. 

I also quickly learned that the strength I had gained from those challenges would 

be tested—in ways that I could never have imagined. Through a peacekeeping deployment to Kosovo and two combat deployments to Iraq, I faced challenges that all 

Veterans encounter—I was able to put to use what the Army had taught me about 

leadership, integrity and inner-strength. And this was no simple test. I learned that 

decisions have consequences. And that my fellow soldiers depended upon me, sometimes with their lives. 

Upon coming home, I learned that VA was there for me. As a service-connected 

disabled veteran, I have been through the claims process and receive my health care 

through VA. I’ve experienced world class care, by highly competent professionals. At 

my last physical, I asked my doctor, Denise Davis, why she left private practice to 

work at VA. She said it was easy—we have the best patients, and she gets to care 

for me for life. 

In addition to taking care of my body, VA has helped take care of my family as 

well. A decade ago, I was able to realize the dream of home ownership through VA’s 

home loan program. And more recently, I have benefited from the new GI Bill, allowing me to achieve my dream of an advanced degree. 

VA has given so much to me, and I intend to give back. This is why I am excited 

at the opportunity to serve, if confirmed, in the role of Assistant Secretary for Public 

and Intergovernmental Affairs. You have my commitment that I will advocate every 

day to ensure more veterans both understand and take advantage of the benefits 

they have earned—for their health, their education and their future. 

I realize there are many organizations already joined in this effort to assist the 

Nation’s veterans. I am thrilled about the intergovernmental aspect of this position 

and, if confirmed, I look forward to working together with other state, local and Federal agencies to help promote a unified effort. Further, I understand that fully engaging and coordinating with Veterans Service Organizations, the media, and others 

in the private sector will be critical allies needed to accomplish our common goals. 

Together, we must ensure our veterans are not forgotten even after our wartime deployments end. 

I would like to thank the Committee, President Obama and Secretary Shinseki 

for providing me with this opportunity to serve my country again. I look forward 

to answering your questions. 

RESPONSE TO PREHEARING QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY HON. PATTY MURRAY TO

TOMMY SOWERS II, PH.D., NOMINEE TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC AND

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Question 1. Have you discussed with Secretary Shinseki, and with Deputy Secretary Gould, the duties and the role you would assume as Assistant Secretary for 

Public and Intergovernmental Affairs if you are confirmed? If so, what specific areas 

of the job were discussed? 

Response. I have discussed with Deputy Secretary Gould the duties and role I 

would assume, if confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental 

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Affairs. If confirmed, my primary area of focus will be to represent and communicate the programs and plans of the Department to internal and external stakeholders. As a service-connected disabled veteran I will work every day to ensure my 

fellow veterans know and understand how to access their benefits. 

Question 2. Do you anticipate having a policymaking role if you are confirmed? 

Response. If confirmed, central to my role will be to assist and advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on all aspects of media and public affairs. As part of that 

responsibility, I anticipate having an active role in developing, communicating and 

implementing the Department’s initiatives. 

Question 3. Have you formulated any thoughts on what your new job responsibilities will be and how you will approach those responsibilities if confirmed? 

Response. If confirmed as Assistant Secretary, beyond media and public affairs, 

I will manage the Department’s communications—both internal and external—and 

oversee programs relating to intergovernmental relations, homeless veterans, consumer affairs, and the Department’s six national rehabilitative special event programs. I will also oversee the Office of Tribal Government Relations. 

If confirmed, I will approach this position in the same way that I have approached 

other opportunities—surround myself with the best people possible, have a clear 

mission and work hard. First, the VA is already staffed with passionate and knowledgeable people, and, if confirmed, I plan to lean heavily on this existing experience 

within the VA. In addition, I will actively seek input from the leading Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs). Second, if confirmed, I will approach my job responsibilities in accordance with the Department’s clearly defined mission in the Strategic 

Plan Refresh. Finally, I know who our customers are—my fellow veterans. Being a 

veteran is more than a label or classification; it represents a unique and distinctive 

experience, and one that I know personally. It is this shared experience that will 

drive me to work hard every day, if confirmed, to represent veterans’ interests. 

Question 4. If confirmed, what would you most like to accomplish in your new position? What would you hope your legacy to the Department would be? 

Response. Success would be achieved by significantly increasing the number of 

veterans who know of the VA’s benefits and services, understand the path to receive 

them and move through that path. If confirmed, a major part of my legacy would 

be to use today’s technological advancements and modern communications strategies 

to maximize the number of veterans the VA reaches. 

Question 5. What do you see as the biggest challenge the Office of Public and 

Intergovernmental Affairs will have to overcome when confronting perceptions about 

VA? 

Response. Perceptions are difficult, but not impossible to change. With my experience with the VA health care system, the New GI Bill and the VA home loan process, I know first-hand how important every interaction is between the department 

and a veteran. I know the employees of the VA work hard to show veterans of all 

eras that the VA is here to serve them. But the work is far from over. 

Leading my Special Forces team I was responsible for making and meeting a plan. 

Staying focused on the VA’s plan to end veteran homelessness, reducing the claims 

backlog and increasing access should remain a priority. These are ambitious goals 

and will require clear and consistent messaging to both internal and external stakeholders. OPIA is just a part of this effort, but a critical part of changing perceptions. 

This will depend on results but also on the ability to share facts in a way that will 

build trust with Veterans and the public. 

Question 6. How would you describe your management style and how is it suited 

to this particular position? 

Response. My leadership style is a product of my time in the military and my 

time in the private sector. First, I have learned to plan for everything. Leading my 

Special Forces team taught me diligence and discipline, and I expect the same from 

the people on my team. Similarly, the private sector taught me the value of diligence, planning and preparation. I strive to make well thought out, deliberate 

choices. 

Second, my management style involves empowering my team. As a leader, I set 

the bar high and expect my team to match. High expectations empower both individuals and the team as a whole. This empowerment leads to greater efficiency, better results and greater team satisfaction. 

Question 7. How does your previous experience contribute to your qualifications 

for this new position? 

Response. In the military, as a media and politics professor, and through political 

campaigns, I have had a wide variety of interactions with media. These experiences 

have helped me understand the benefits of proactive engagement, how to manage 

108 

successful media campaigns, and the intricacies of the process. Additionally, my 

work with the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America taught me how VSOs contribute to both providing services and shaping the Nation’s veterans conversation. 

Most recently, I worked for McKinsey & Company, where I learned hands-on that 

not all solutions are government solutions. If confirmed, I want to bring the rigor 

of the business world to this position, and develop collaborative solutions to veterans’ issues. 

Question 8. As the official who will be responsible in theory for the public face 

of the Department, you most likely will need to deal with situations where an incident at one VA facility generates substantial negative press and public interest that 

seems to impact the Department. How would you respond to such an incident? 

Response. If confirmed, my response would be simple—tell the truth and strive 

to keep all stakeholders informed. Veterans and the general public need to continuously hear the facts from VA and the steps we are taking to improve benefits and 

services generally, but especially when incidents occur in our facilities and programs. 

Question 9. There are various means of communicating with different generations 

of veterans and their families. How can VA best communicate with the broad spectrum of the American public that the Department serves? Please describe specific 

media outlets and other communication media that you would seek to use if 

confirmed. 

Response. Traditional media outlets—television, newspaper and radio—are still 

the best way to reach the most veterans across the country. I have extensive experience developing and implementing communication strategies using all three media, 

and will make it a priority to use all methods to discuss VA services. That said, 

communication in the modern day is more than just speeches and interviews; it is 

social media. I have seen the power of Facebook, Twitter, and Google. But the VA 

has seen this too; I have been very impressed with the VA’s efforts in social/new 

media. If confirmed, I will seek to continue and expand the ongoing work in this 

area. 

Question 10. In a report by the Center for New American Security entitled ‘‘Well 

After Service: Veteran Reintegration and American Communities,’’ the authors 

argue that ‘‘* * * the fact that only 53 percent of eligible veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn have used VA 

health services reflects the inadequacies associated with outreach to veterans.’’ 

a. Do you share this assessment of VA’s outreach efforts? 

Response. The Secretary has publicly stated his goal of improving access to the 

VA. If confirmed, I will work to ensure veterans are aware of the services VA provides and reduce any communications barriers. 

b. If confirmed, what will you do to address concerns, like those expressed in this 

CNAS report, regarding VA’s outreach to veterans? 

Response. From everything I know about the VA’s work in this area, they have 

a robust outreach program. If confirmed, I will seek to continue this work through 

further partnerships with state and local veterans organizations, VSOs and the Department of Defense, as well as partnerships with business and the private sector. 

Question 11. Although VA has been treating women veterans for many years, I 

believe that some women veterans are reluctant to seek care at a VA facility, while 

others don’t see themselves as veterans. What thoughts do you have on how to communicate to women veterans that VA is prepared to provide gender-specific care? 

Response. This is a strong priority for me. In my many visits and appointments 

at VA medical facilities, I’ve rarely seen women in the waiting rooms. This perception—that the VA medical system is geared toward men only—must change. Just 

like all veterans, women deserve the best care possible. The key is making sure that 

every veteran, male or female, knows exactly what the VA can do for them, and 

what specific services the VA can offer. I know that VA has made significant investments in updating programs, and services for women veterans in the last few years 

and if confirmed, I look forward to using my position as Assistant Secretary to continue and expand outreach to women veterans. 

Question 12. As the individual with principal responsibility for Intergovernmental 

Affairs at VA, you will have a major role in coordinating many issues, responses, 

initiatives, and a wide variety of things with many other Federal agencies, in addition to state, and local and governments. What are your expectations for how you 

will interact with these departments and agencies? 

Response. When I was in the Special Forces and deployed in Iraq, I interacted 

with a wide variety of government agencies, both Iraqi and US. I learned that constant communication is essential, builds lasting relationships, and facilitates sound 

109 

policy. If confirmed, I plan to work to facilitate an open collaborative relationship 

with key government stakeholders. 

Question 13. What do you see as VA’s role in working with other departments and 

agencies, especially the Department of Housing and Urban Development, through 

the Interagency Council on Homeless or otherwise, to address the needs of homeless 

veterans and their families? 

Response. During my last move, I was assigned to a VA clinic that aggressively 

serves the homeless veteran community. I have seen first-hand the critical role 

these clinics play as a first response for homeless veterans. To that end, if confirmed, I would ensure that information about programs that share President 

Obama and Secretary Shinseki’s ambitious, noble and right goal of eliminating 

homelessness amongst veterans is shared nationally. 

If confirmed, my primary focus would be to communicate, both to veterans and 

to the public at large. We need to make sure that homeless veterans know that the 

VA can help, but also raise awareness of the issue in the public sphere. As an aggressive advocate for veterans, I would continue the important work already underway at the VA ensuring that this issue is given the attention that it deserves. 

Question 14. Veterans are fed up with the ongoing dysfunction of the claims system. Despite the Department’s best efforts, the size of the backlog continues to 

grow. 

a. Do you think the Department’s efforts are sufficient to address the problem? 

Response. My experience with the VA system has been exceptional, but I know 

and have heard of the problems others face. We can do better. I believe the Department’s plan to eliminate the backlog in 2015 through a mix of people, process and 

technology initiatives is the right type of approach. 

b. What do you believe needs to be done to effectively transform the claims 

system? 

Response. Again, communication is key—for many, the VA system is complex and 

can seem daunting. If confirmed, one of my responsibilities will be taking the complexity of the system and communicating it in a way that any veteran can understand. This includes the steps involved in submitting a claim and ways veterans can 

get updates on their claims status. Presentation, through a clear Web site and online tools, is an integral part of improving the use of the claims system. The VA’s 

use of eBenefits and their development of a paperless claims system are exactly the 

type of initiatives that will help with the claims backlog. 

Question 15. Native Americans serve at some of the highest rates per capita, but 

are often unable to access the VA benefits that they have earned. 

a. If confirmed, how do you plan to use the resources within your office to improve 

their ability to access VA health care and benefits? 

Response. If confirmed, I would be responsible for American Indian and Alaska 

Native veteran outreach, and would work to increase collaboration between the VA, 

the Indian Health Service and tribal governments, along with state and local veterans organizations. The VA’s Office of Tribal Government Relations will be crucial 

for these efforts. 

b. What concrete steps will you take to encourage increased collaboration between 

VA and tribal governments? 

Response. Clear communication with Native Americans/Alaska Native veterans 

and tribal leaders will help to facilitate access to VA benefits and services. Building 

relationships with the tribal governments, along with the state and local leaders in 

the Native American community, will be a priority. All entities working with veterans, from tribal governments to state and local veterans organizations, have the 

same goal: maximizing enrollment in VA services, so veterans can get the care that 

they deserve. If confirmed, my job will be to make sure they are pointed in the same 

direction. 

Question 16. Do you agree to appear before the Committee at such times and concerning such matters as the Committee might request for so long as you serve? 

Response. Yes. 

[The Committee questionnaire for Presidential nominees follows:] 

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[A letter from the Office of Government Ethics follows:] 


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[Letter from Thomas Skerik Sowers II, Ph.D., to the Office of 

General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:] 


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Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much, Dr. Sowers, very compelling testimony and we really appreciate your willingness to 

serve your country in this new capacity. So, thank you very much, 

and tell your family members and support teams that are back 

there thanks for being here for you as well. 

Let me begin with questions and then we will go around to all 

of our Senators here, but I wanted to ask you because, you know, 

too often today servicemembers leave the military unaware of the 

benefits and services that they have earned, and we often hear 

from veterans who do not know they are eligible for a variety of 

programs that are offered by the VA. 

Now, the VA has been trying to increase their outreach efforts 

but there is a lot of work left to be done. So, I wanted to ask you, 

if confirmed, how you would work to improve some of the outreach 

efforts to make sure that our transitioning servicemembers and 

veterans get the information they need to make the right decisions 

at the right time. 

Mr. SOWERS. Chairman Murray, thank you very much for that 

question. 

Special Forces is a unique community. You are sent off on small 

teams and, if you would just depend on that team and that team 

alone, they are very good but it is only 10 or 12 soldiers. 

What you need to do is partner. You have to partner with local 

allies, the local governments, the local agencies that are out there; 

and that is how I think we can really, truly expand our outreach, 

doing it in a fiscally constrained environments, is working through 


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the veteran service organizations and agencies that are already out 

there doing great work. 

I did not get a chance to introduce them but with me here today 

is Bob Obana. He is the CEO of NCIRE, the veterans health initiative. This is an innovative non-profit that has partnered with the 

VA. It is partnered with the local medical schools and it is doing 

cutting-edge TBI-PTSD research. 

Those sorts of partnerships are out there. I want to shine a light 

on them. I do not want to reinvent the wheel in every State or in 

every community, but let us find the partners that are truly producing and, in this ocean of goodwill, find the ships that are really 

delivering, using some data and measuring our output along the 

way. 

Chairman MURRAY. I am particularly concerned that about half 

of our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans do not utilize the VA. You 

know that population well. 

How do we better reach them? 

Mr. SOWERS. Chairman Murray, I am glad that you recognize the 

uniqueness of the population. Yesterday, I was talking with a leader of the Vietnam veterans movement and he said, you know, what 

has driven me for the last two decades is what happened to me 

should not happen to you. 

My approach is a little bit different. It is what has happened to 

me I want, I want other veterans to be eligible for this. 

So, having a targeted approach toward Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is key. The Department has been very forthcoming on social 

networking. That is an important medium. I would like to see an 

expansion of direct communications we discussed of e-mail. 

But, I think also, as you pointed out, Chairman Murray, and 

Senator McCaskill, the fact that Secretary Shinseki and President 

Obama have nominated me for this position, I think speaks to their 

priorities, that they would like to have a young Iraq-Afghanistan 

veteran within their close counsel. And, it is a deep honor for me, 

if confirmed, to join that team and to provide that counsel. 

Chairman MURRAY. OK. You know, all too often the significant 

amount of good work that is done by VA employees every day does 

not ever reach the public and it is often overshadowed by the latest 

incident or report in the media. 

I really want veterans to be proud of the VA and that is increasingly hard when the narrative is often shaped by the most recent 

crisis. 

So, I wanted to ask you today how you would break through this 

impasse to be in more effective communication with veterans and 

the public so that they are aware of the great things that the VA 

does as you have described about yourself. 

Mr. SOWERS. Chairman Murray, thank you very much, and it is 

one of the reasons why I am very excited about joining at this time 

and, if confirmed, joining the team that is currently over at the VA. 

It is led by General Shinseki, a true example of a military leader 

and a public servant, and I know that he and his team know the 

principles of war and one of them is you have to be on the offense. 

You cannot be on the defense. 

And, to me, if confirmed, I would have a personal philosophy of 

we cannot wait and hope that the good news stories are going to 

121 

be covered, that we have to be aggressive and just as aggressive 

and just as urgent as when we are responding to a negative event 

as we are with a positive event. 

Chairman MURRAY. Very good. Let me turn it over to Senator 

Burr for his questions. 

Senator BURR. Thank you, Chairman. 

Dr. Sowers, I should have said at the beginning in my opening 

statement that you had an opportunity to intern with a Member 

of Congress that I thought was one of the greatest we ever had, 

Bill Emerson, and we all certainly miss Bill and have for a number 

of years. I hope that that experience and opportunity was helpful 

to you. 

Let me start with a little bit of housekeeping, if I can. As the 

Ranking Member, part of my role is to conduct the oversight with 

regard to VA’s activities. This often leads me to make requests for 

information, statistics, briefings, and other materials from the VA. 

If confirmed, will you ensure that my staff and I will be provided 

with the requested information in a timely manner? 

Mr. SOWERS. Ranking Member Burr, I will. 

Senator BURR. If confirmed, will you be proactive at alerting the 

Committee, including both sides of the aisle, about significant 

issues involving VA? 

Mr. SOWERS. Ranking Member Burr, I will. 

Senator BURR. Dr. Sowers, until March of this year, the VA was 

unable to provide the Committee with the amount VA, as an enterprise, spends on outreach. According to the data provided in March, 

the VA spent about $76 million on outreach from fiscal year 2009 

through 2012. But, without a coordinated outreach plan during 

that time, VA could not determine the effectiveness of the outreach. 

Do you have any initial thoughts on what steps you would take, 

if confirmed, to make sure that VA is able to gauge the effectiveness of specific outreach programs? 

Mr. SOWERS. Ranking Member Burr, thank you for that question. 

There are some challenges in determining which outreach is 

most effective. I think, you know, in political communications it is 

often wonder of what is actually delivering the message that we 

need. 

What I can say is I have spent some time now in the private sector, and I find that has put in me a much more data-driven, 

metrics-oriented approach; and it is an approach that, if confirmed, 

I hope to bring to the Department. 

In addition, one thing with the new technologies is that they 

allow us to quantify metrics in a much clearer way than we had 

in the past. 

In the past we did not know maybe who was receiving the brochures or the printed material. Now we can know which Web sites 

are being reached and which ones are not. 

So, to me what I care about is not necessarily more outreach in 

terms of quantity but quality of outreach and, if confirmed, that 

will be a focus of mine. 

Senator BURR. VA has developed a 5-year plan to eliminate 

homelessness based on six integrated pillars including outreach, 

education, and community partnerships. 

122 

According to the VA, the Assistant Secretary for Public and 

Intergovernmental Affairs is, and I quote, ‘‘the executive sponsor 

and has oversight responsibilities for a VA’s initiative to end homelessness.’’ 

Can you explain your understanding of what that means and 

what role you play in implementing or overseeing VA’s homelessness program? 

Mr. SOWERS. Ranking Member Burr, thank you for that question. 

I am outside of the organization now and one of my priorities, 

and you have this in my background, is to rapidly assess a situation once I get into it. 

The first Special Forces imperative is to understand the operational environment; and I think one aspect of this is the intergovernmental role: I was assigned to the San Francisco Downtown 

Medical Clinic, and that medical clinic is really a pointy tip of the 

spear of many homeless veterans that come in and use that facility. 

But, there are many organizations out there that if we are to 

take on the challenge of not just reducing but ending homelessness 

among veterans, we need close partnerships with the police that 

encounter them, the local non-profits that are already out there assisting. 

So, I think there is a vital intergovernmental role to achieve that 

goal. 

Senator BURR. Great. 

If VA finds that veterans are unable to manage their own finances, VA sends their names to the National Instant Criminal 

Background Check System or NICS which presents them from purchasing or owning firearms. 

As a result, more than 127,000 veterans today are currently on 

the NICS list. Until we change the law, the only way those veterans can get off of that list, once they have been determined they 

cannot handle their finances, is to request relief from the VA. 

Although VA stood up a relief process in 2010, only about 185 

individuals have sought relief so far, which suggests to me that few 

people know about or understand this option. 

First, do you agree that it is unfair to send someone’s name to 

the NICS list simply because they need help with their finances? 

Mr. SOWERS. Ranking Member Burr, the story and the facts that 

you are saying are new to me; and if confirmed, it is an area that 

I would like to explore and understand more fully. 

Senator BURR. Would you agree that taking away someone’s constitutional right to own firearms should be a pretty high threshold? 

Mr. SOWERS. Ranking Member Burr, I would agree. 

Senator BURR. Good. Thank you for your answers, for your willingness to serve, and as a board member of West Point, for the 

time you spent there educating the great group of individuals we 

have got who serve today. 

Thank you. 

Chairman MURRAY. Senator Boozman. 

STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN BOOZMAN, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM ARKANSAS 

Senator BOOZMAN. Thank you, Madam Chair. 

123 

We really do appreciate your service to your country which has 

been outstanding, and I enjoyed visiting yesterday and just getting 

to know you a little bit personally. I very much enjoyed that. 

You know, when I was in the House, I was the Ranking Member 

on economic opportunity; and as you know better than anybody, 

being out and about, you know, the high unemployment that veterans face right now is such a difficult climate for all of us but particulate veterans. 

Part of that is the fact that with all of these deployments that 

have gone on employers should not but they probably do somewhat, 

if you know somebody in the Guard or whatever is going to be deployed multiple times and you are a little bit perhaps leery of taking that on if you have a very small business. 

But, for whatever reason, the better job you do of communicating 

what is out there really does help us so much in that regard. If you 

make it such that a person can support his family, you know, take 

care of them, then you do not have a lot of the behavior that comes, 

you know, self-destructive behavior that leads to things like homelessness and suicide which, again, is such a huge problem. 

So, again, we appreciate your wanting to take this task on. 

Can you comment a little bit about your experience? One of the 

things that we in the Congress have struggled with and really our 

generation, I mean, I have got a Blackberry and this and that, my 

children, people your age are just totally Web-based. 

Do we need to do a better job of switching over to the Web-based 

where, like I say, I still look for the phone book to get a telephone 

number? 

Do we need to do a better job of switching over to Web-based, 

making things more viable in that regard? 

Mr. SOWERS. Senator, thank you very much for that question. 

There are some huge advantages of shifting into more of an electronic or Web-based. The VA was one of the pioneers in electronic 

medical records. 

As we discussed, I am a rural veteran, and 44 percent of our recruits come from rural America. So, I think especially that aspect 

of technology because in my hometown we do not have a VA facility, but we have a lot of folks on mine. If we can help deliver messages and communicate across that medium in a direct way, I 

think more veterans will be able to receive the benefits that they 

deserve. 

Senator BOOZMAN. I agree totally. The other thing is that I hope 

that you would work, you know, closely with the Transition Assistance Program. The better job that they do, you know, it makes 

your life easier, you know, in trying to take care. 

And, then also, you know, certainly that is something that should 

be to me, you know, working in conjunction as you are preparing 

to get out and then get out, that ought to be a pretty good transition. So, anything you can do to link all of the communications efforts together, I think, would be really beneficial. 

The Paralympics, I know that you will have that responsibility. 

You know, many of us are being very active in that regard. We look 

forward to helping you and working in that regard to make sure 

that, you know, that we are doing the best job that we can. 

124 

Can you comment a little bit on that program and kind of your 

thoughts although a bit about it? 

Mr. SOWERS. Senator, I think it is a very vital program. As you 

know, due to the advances of health care and combat health care 

that we have, we have a greater proportion of disabled veterans 

now that we are going to have for many, many years. And, these 

sorts of programs that honor their service and really celebrate their 

service I think are vitally important. 

Senator BOOZMAN. Very good. Again, we appreciate your service 

and look forward to working with you in the future; and certainly 

anything we can do to help be sure and let us know. 

I would be very interested if you do run into things that, you 

know, you mentioned earlier of bringing the fresh, and we do have 

plenty of fresh ideas in the VA. I do not mean that at all but your 

perspective as a fairly young, a former soldier getting out and seeing firsthand the challenges. 

As you see areas that perhaps we can help legislatively, you 

know, to tweak things, be sure to let us know so that we can help 

you move forward. 

So, thank you, Madam Chair. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much. 

Dr. Sowers, as you know, the VA is in the midst of implementing 

its Claims Transformation Plan, which is the Department’s effort 

to fix VA’s broken claims processing system. 

A lot of our veterans are continuing to find themselves waiting 

months and in some cases years to get an accurate decision on 

their claim. And, part of your job will be to help explain to veterans 

this transformation effort, and their family members actually, and 

a lot of them have had a negative experience because of that. 

I wanted to ask you how you are going to overcome the skepticism and mistrust that surrounds the disability claims system 

and really make sure that VA is able to solve this problem. 

Mr. SOWERS. Thank you, Chairman Murray. 

As you know, I went through the claims process just 3 years ago. 

I want to characterize that it was not skepticism or mistrust in my 

case; I just did not know. 

I had been serving. While I was serving, I really was not very 

aware of the VA benefits that were out there. I think my experience is very similar to a number of servicemen and women out 

there. 

So, the way I got over the, I would not call it mistrust but just 

unknowing, was I had a buddy and they taught him that in the 

military. He had left the service about a year prior to me and had 

gone through the claims process, had made some mistakes along 

the way in terms of not having his paperwork documenting his condition and so he taught me. 

I would like to see that sort of active partnership be out there. 

I mean, the best way we can attack mistrust is to have a claims 

process that people go through and they are able to help other people move through it. 

Chairman MURRAY. So, some kind of peer effort, so, people helping people get through it and learning it? 

Mr. SOWERS. It is the way we tend to learn things in the military. I mean, a large reason why I would jump out of a plane in 

125 

the middle of the night was because the person in front of me did 

it and the person behind me was about ready to do it. 

[Laughter.] 

Chairman MURRAY. I got it. OK. 

I also wanted to ask you, you mentioned a little bit, VA has to 

work effectively with a lot of different government partners to address challenges. The Department of Housing and Urban Development for homelessness, the Department of Health and Human 

Services to work on a lot of issues including the expansion of the 

electronic health information, and especially with the Department 

of Defense to build a truly seamless transition, which has been a 

real focus of mine. 

In the case of the Department of Defense, departments do not always work together well, and as a result, veterans are often underserved. 

How would you work to improve that collaboration with the Department of Defense? 

Mr. SOWERS. Chairman Murray, thank you for that question. 

Senator, you brought up the TAP program, which is vitally important. I know this Committee has focused much effort on improving the TAP program. 

That is the critical transition moment, when you are pulling 

yourself out of war and combat and serving in a uniform, then becoming a veteran. The TAP program, I think, is a key moment 

where we need to have a common message and a common handoff 

between the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration. 

If confirmed, I would like to work closely with my counterparts 

over in DOD, especially on that communication message to make 

sure we have a common message during that transition. 

Chairman MURRAY. I would encourage you to do that very quickly once confirmed because I have a lot of meetings with both DOD 

and VA where they both say, oh, we meet on a regular basis. 

There has to be more than meetings. There has to be real communication, and I think you have identified a key place where you 

can work with them to make sure we are all on the same page 

moving forward. This is absolutely a top priority of ours. 

Senator Burr, do you have any other questions? 

Senator BURR. No. 

Chairman MURRAY. Senator Boozman. 

Senator BOOZMAN. The only thing I would say, Madam Chair, in 

regard to TAP is that I agree with you totally, and the other thing 

is anything that you can make where you can involve families, 

spouses, I think that is really important. 

I think that is an area that we miss out some in TAP because 

many times the wife is like my wife. She does the bookkeeping, you 

know, those kind of things, pays the bills, this and that; and that 

is the way it is in many families, which works well. 

I think family involvement is so important and yet she is probably working. So, anything you can do to make things available in 

hours that both of them are available which might be in the 

evening or whatever, I would really encourage you to do that. And 

really, really try to see how we can include the entire family 

versus, you know, when only the individual soldier is available. 

126 

Then, it might be the reverse. We have so many female soldiers 

now that, you know, again making sure that we balance all of that 

out. 

Thank you. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much. 

Senator Begich has just arrived. I am going to give him a moment to sit down. Senator Begich, I believe you are the last to ask 

any questions of Dr. Sowers, so if you are ready we will turn to 

you. 

STATEMENT OF HON. MARK BEGICH, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM ALASKA 

Senator BEGICH. Madam Chairman, thank you very much. 

Max, it is very good to see you. Thank you. I have been to your 

State more than once so thank you for being here. 

Doctor, I know we talked a little bit yesterday, and I just wanted 

to really kind of put on the record the issues around tribal issues. 

You will oversee part of that and how that relates to the VA. 

And, as you know, a little fewer than half the tribes in the Nation 

are in Alaska, not by population but by tribal identification. It is 

a pretty significant part of our efforts in delivery of service. 

Maybe you can comment generally on how you see your role in 

relation to the tribes of not only my State but this country, the VA, 

and how we can connect those better especially because almost all 

the tribal activities in rural parts of our country and the rural part 

of our State. 

Mr. SOWERS. Senator, I thank you for your question. Since our 

meeting, I have been thinking more about that outreach; and if 

confirmed—I am a rural veteran. I know the importance of and the 

challenges when you cannot just drive 10 minutes down to the local 

VA facility but you have to drive, in my case it was an hour and 

a half, and for many of your veterans cases, it is significantly 

longer. 

But, outreach to the specific tribes is going to be an area of focus. 

I think there needs to be a specific, targeted plan; and I know that 

within the Department they have dedicated resources toward that. 

One of my priorities, if confirmed, will be to fully understand the 

programs that are currently out there, the outreach; and if I may, 

I would take you up on that offer to come Alaska and see it for 

myself. 

Senator BEGICH. Absolutely. 

Chairman MURRAY. Did he tell you how long it takes to get there 

before you go? 

[Laughter.] 

Senator BEGICH. That is part of the education program for members of the Administration. That is just to get to Anchorage and 

then we will take him out to a village. But we thank you for that. 

It is important. 

I think in a lot of cases the lack of understanding of what veterans in rural communities, especially in tribal communities go 

through to get service, and as you know, VA is working with us 

right now in regards to our travel consortium up there to deliver 

health care through our Indian Health Services facilities in remote 

areas that are non-road access. 

127 

We have already had 16 tribal organizations sign up, which we 

think is great. This will allow veterans to have a choice. Instead 

of living in a small village where they may have a clinic right 

across the street where they can get their basic care for the VA 

needs, they in the past had to fly to Anchorage, which could be a 

cost of an easy $800 to $1,000, plus room and board as well as 

being away from their families. 

Now, they will have a choice, and we think this is going to be 

a model for the rest of the country, how to access and utilize our 

Federal resources at a much better level than they are today. 

Indian health care services in Alaska are premier, delivered by 

the tribal community. No disrespect to the Indian Health Services. 

They are not delivered by the Indian Health Services. They are delivered by the Tribal Consortium because of the deep community 

aspect of it. 

The VA is working with us now, and we hope to see that as a 

great model; and, as you get in this new position, your review of 

that and your input will be very helpful for us because I think 

there is no question about the cost of health care is to the person, 

the cost to the families. The odds are they are going to get 

healthier quicker; and so, I just want to put that on your radar 

screen. 

This has been an agreement that was signed in the last few 

months, and I think we have about 16 or 17 tribal consortia groups 

that have signed on and will be delivering it is very basic laboratories. 

They can go across the street or across the dirt road or across 

the trail to get their service, and then the VA will reimburse the 

Tribal Consortium for that care rather than having to fly them, because the VA has some process they have to go through. 

Care is equal or better, and it will be always up to the veteran 

to make that choice, not up to the system. So, we think it is an 

interesting model. So, we will be anxious to get your input and 

again work with that to make sure it is successful. 

Let me say, Madam Chair, I have a variety of questions that I 

may submit for the record. I know you all have been very patient 

with me to run back over here and ask a few questions. 

Dr. Sowers, I am anxious for you to come up; and if you come 

up in the winter, you get extra points. If you come in the summer, 

it is just equal. 

But again, thank you, Madam Chair. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much. 

Dr. Sowers, I really want to thank you for being here today answering the questions. Some Committee Members may submit 

questions for the record. I really again want to thank you for your 

desire to serve our Nation’s veterans. 

To our Committee Members, I would ask that you get all of your 

questions to our Committee’s legislative clerk by close of business 

tomorrow. 

Senator Webb has just joined us. Just by a hair you almost got 

out of having to answer any more questions, but Senator Webb has 

arrived. I will give him an opportunity to ask any questions before 

we close. 

128 

STATEMENT OF HON. JIM WEBB, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM VIRGINIA 

Senator WEBB. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. I am 

going to be fairly brief, and I think this will be rather painless. I 

just wanted to stop by and give my voice of support here for Dr. 

Sowers. They say that you certainly have all of the credentials necessary to step into the job that you are going to do. 

I enjoyed our meeting when you came by and our previous meetings. I know your family has come from Missouri to be here, so 

greetings to them. Your family has a real tradition of military service. I think you said two uncles and a grandfather had served in 

Vietnam, is that correct? 

Mr. SOWERS. That is correct, Senator. 

Senator WEBB. I was also aware that Max Cleland and Senator 

McCaskill both were here. Well, Max Cleland is right here. 

By God, you snuck up on me, Max. [Laughter.] 

I had the privilege many years ago to work with then VA Administrator Cleland when he and I and, I think, Chuck Hagel were 

among the very first Vietnam veterans to be working on these 

issues; many, many years ago. 

I was a counsel, as you and I discussed, and as Max remembers 

I was counsel on the House Veterans’ Committee during that time. 

We did a lot of pioneering work on issues like Agent Orange, 

PTSD, some of the very first hearings that were held on a lot of 

those issues. 

So, you have a lot of firepower coming with you to this hearing, 

and I wish you all the best in your position. I have one question 

for you. 

In this position, you are much more an implementer than a developer of policy I would say. What is your overall goal here in 

terms of carrying out the duties of your position? 

Mr. SOWERS. Senator, thank you very much for that question, 

and I think there is going to be one primary metric, if confirmed, 

which is the number of veterans receiving their benefits. When I 

leave, if confirmed or when I arrive, that I have had an incredibly 

positive experience in the VA through the new GI Bill, through 

health care, through the home loan program. 

As I stated earlier, I spoke with one of fellow Vietnam veteran 

leader just today. He was giving me some advice and said that, you 

know, he wanted to ensure that what happened to him did not happen to me. That is what has been driving him. 

What is driving me is a little bit different. It is what has happened to me. I want more veterans to get through the claims process in a timely manner, to receive their health care, to receive their 

education benefits, and their home loan benefits. 

So, that will be my primary driver. 

Senator WEBB. Well, you know, in the time since I have been in 

the Senate, the backlog has dramatically increased in terms of 

metrics. I think you probably understand why. I mean we have a 

double increase in the load from the Vietnam veterans, some of 

them aging out, wanting to get into the medical care system, plus 

the Agent Orange claims, and then the Iraq/Afghanistan veterans 

coming in with their claims. 

129 

So, it is a huge, huge problem just in terms of administration, 

so I wish you the best on that. 

I will not take anymore time, Madam Chair. I appreciate your 

fitting me in here at the very end. I wanted to come by and pay 

my regards. 

Chairman MURRAY. Thank you very much, Senator Webb. 

Dr. Sowers, thank you again very much. I look forward to working with Ranking Member Burr to schedule a markup and move 

your nomination forward. So, again, thank you on behalf of all the 

Senators and the Nation for your willingness to serve our country. 

Thank you to all of your family members, support team, and 

comrades who have come here today to support you as well. 

With that, this hearing is adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 10:49 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.] 

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