Tammy Duckworth leaving Dept. of Veterans Affairs

[douglas9]

Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran and double amputee whose war injuries gave her a special understanding of veterans issues, is stepping down as an assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs and plans to return to her home state of Illinois, administration officials confirmed Monday.

In a statement, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki confirmed Duckworth’s departure and said she “has served the Department of Veterans Affairs with distinction. Her unwavering dedication to veterans and their families has strengthened VA’s ability to perform our mission—providing veterans the healthcare and benefits they have earned.

“Tammy Duckworth uniquely understands the needs of today’s veterans and their families, and her commitment to serving Veterans and increasing VA’s outreach has helped the department serve more Veterans and serve them well,” Shinseki said. “We will miss her advocacy and leadership, but wish her the very best in the years to come.”

VA aides said that Duckworth was on official travel Monday and unavailable for comment. They declined to speak further about her plans, citing the law that bans political activity in the federal workplace.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/post/tammy-duckworth-leaving-dept-of-veterans-affairs/2011/06/13/AGw3tZTH_blog.html

[JI7]

1. sounds like she might run for political office again ?

[sarge43]

2. Hope so. n/t