I would like to thank everyone for being here this morning.  Today we will hear from the new Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, General Eric K. Shinseki.  Secretary Shinseki has an outstanding record of service and personal sacrifice to our nation. 

He faithfully served with honor and dignity for 38 years in the United States Army in places like Vietnam, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq, before retiring as the 34th Chief of Staff of the Army.

He is a man of impeccable reputation who is often called a “soldier’s soldier.”  Yet, he is also a man of great vision who is credited with conceiving today’s Army long-term strategic plan and transforming the Army into a strategically deployable force.

It is with all these credentials, that great reputation; and that forward looking vision, that I formally welcome the Secretary to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The VA, much like the Army, will require your visionary expertise as we navigate the issues that currently plague our entitlement programs and health care system.

The Secretary and I recently met and had a lengthy conversation about the hard work and dedication that is necessary to keep the promises that have been made to all of our Nation’s veterans. 

Although the 110th Congress focused on the issues affecting returning service members, we must also live up to the promise to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans from previous conflicts.  We will keep our promise to our Nation’s heroes of the past, present and future.

We must remain committed to creating a 21st Century Department of Veterans Affairs that provides the care and benefits our nation's veterans deserve, improves the quality of health care for veterans, rebuilds the VA's broken benefits system, and combats homelessness among veterans.

Mr. Secretary, I am certain that I speak for all of the Members of this Committee that we look forward to working with you on the serious matters that confront our Nation’s veterans. 

The role of this Committee is to conduct oversight of the VA to be sure that the best interest of our Nation’s veterans is the number one priority.  Caring for our veterans should not be a partisan issue -- we must all work together to ensure the resources are available for the VA to carry out its mission.

Mr. Secretary, so many veterans view the VA as “Veteran’s Adversary.”  It is my hope that you will help create a Department of transparency and trust that will make all veterans view the VA as a “Veteran’s Advocate.”