Thank you Mr. Chairman.  I want to welcome Secretary Shinseki, and thank him for appearing before our Committee today.  Mr. Secretary, given your long and dedicated service in the U.S. Army, I know that veterans will be well served by your leadership at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, which I am honored to chair, has focused on a number of issues, including VA outreach, record-sharing with the Department of Defense, and implementation of effective information technology.

At a time when less than 8 million of our nation’s 25 million veterans are enrolled at the VA, we have pressed the VA to do more to reach the remaining 17 million veterans.  We asked the VA find ways to bring the VA to these veterans.  The VA has since begun using modern media tools to do so, and I believe this was a great step in the right direction

Turning to record sharing, the VA and the Department of Defense have been working on shared electronic medical record systems for at least 20 years, and much progress has been made in the last two years.  A commitment from both Departments will be required to finish the job. 

Secretary Shinseki, I am pleased by your desire to create a 21st century VA, and I trust that your long military experience and exemplary record will enable you to join with Secretary Gates to make sure that both Departments know their bosses are watching and will accept nothing less than success.

Finally, let me say that I believe when the VA and its dedicated workforce of public servants are doing their best, they can provide excellent health care and timely benefits for our nation’s veterans.   However, VA needs strong leadership to solve significant management problems.

The Department’s financial and inventory management systems are completely inadequate and its outside auditor has found material control weaknesses for three years in a row.  With enhanced information technology systems, VA’s management will need to implement a high standard of achievement and help employees to reach it.

Beyond these three issues, there are many challenges that face us, including implementing a new G.I. Bill and sorting through a mile of disability claims.  We all have our work cut out for us.  But, Mr. Chairman, with your leadership, and with the leadership of Secretary Shinseki at the VA, I believe we can make great progress.

I yield back.