President Barack Obama nominated L. Tammy Duckworth, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, to be the assistant secretary of public and intergovernmental affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Duckworth is a member of the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA).
“Effective communications with veterans and VA’s stakeholders is key to improving our services and ensuring veterans receive the benefits they deserve,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Tammy Duckworth brings significant talent, leadership and personal experience to this important work.”
As assistant secretary, Duckworth will direct VA’s public affairs, internal communications and intergovernmental relations. She will also oversee programs for homeless veterans, consumer affairs and special rehabilitative events.
Duckworth was appointed director of the state Veterans office in Illinois in 2006. In previous testimony before Congress, she expressed her commitment to veterans and the need for transformation of the Department.
“The VA system faces new challenges as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Duckworth, noting that “the patient profile is changing. More wounded soldiers are surviving very serious injuries.”
She is a major in the Illinois National Guard and was previously deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom where, as a captain, she was assistant operations officer for a 500-soldier aviation task force. She also served as a logistics officer and company commander. As a helicopter pilot flying combat missions in 2004, she suffered grave injuries when her helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. She lost both legs and partial use of one arm.
In 2005, Duckworth completed training with the ACA and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) to become an ACA/WRAMC certified peer visitor.
Her previous managerial experience includes coordinating the Center for Nursing Research at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and working for Rotary International’s Asia-Pacific region from 2002 to 2004.
Duckworth earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii and a master’s degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Born in Thailand, she is the daughter of a U.S. Marine who fought in Vietnam. She is married to National Guard officer Major Bryan Bowlsbey, a veteran of the Iraq War.
Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) applauded President Obama’s selection of Duckworth.
“President Obama’s choice of Tammy Duckworth to help lead the VA is a homerun," said Hare. "Under her direction, Illinois has become a national leader in caring for our wounded warriors. Director Duckworth has also been a frequent and passionate critic of the VA’s funding shortfalls and disability backlog. The combination of her outstanding civilian experience and heroic military service make Director Duckworth uniquely qualified to help reform the VA. I look forward to working with her.”