The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF OSCAR G. JOHNSON VAMC DIRECTOR JAMES RICE
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HON. JACK BERGMAN
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Friday, February 11, 2022
Mr. BERGMAN. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the 33-year career of the Director of the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center, James Rice. Through his commitment to our Veterans and his local communities, James has become an indispensable part of the State of Michigan, the Upper Peninsula, and northern Wisconsin.
James was born in Clare, MI and attended Central Michigan University for his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Following college, he started his career in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in 1990 as the Safety & Occupational Health Manager at the Allen Park VAMC in southeastern Michigan. In addition, he served in a VHA leadership position in Washington, D.C., as the Acting Director of Safety and Technical Services, After successfully serving in multiple roles within the Veterans integrated Services Network (VISN) 11 and 12 for over two decades, James was appointed to Acting Director for the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in 2011.
Under Director Rice's outstanding leadership, Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center continues to set the national standard for medical care within the VHA and serves tens of thousands of our nation's Veterans across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northern Wisconsin. Along with his work at the Iron Mountain VAMC, he oversaw six Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Michigan and Wisconsin including Ironwood, Hancock, Marquette. Menominee, Sault Ste Marie and Rhinelander to offer Veterans the support and care they need closer to home. In addition, Oscar G. Johnson continues to receive 5-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and has been nationally recognized through several VHA-related awards including the Best Experience Award for Level 3 Medical Centers, the Best Patient Experience Award, and the Dickinson County Chamber of Commerce's ``Large Business of the Year Award.'' For fiscal year 2021, James was also awarded the Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award for his decades of leadership in VISN 11 and 12 and longtime dedication to our Veterans.
Madam Speaker. I ask you to join me in honoring the career and service of Director James Rice. The example he has set over the last three decades inspires us all and will continue to do so for future successors of his position, Michigan and Wisconsin's retired servicemembers, their families, caregivers, and the VA staff he proudly led will forever be thankful for his contributions. We wish him the best on his future endeavors and look forward to seeing what his next mission will be.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 28
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