WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi today expressed regret at the death of former Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Bob Stump, who died June 20.
"Bob Stump was a true friend of veterans," said Principi. "In the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, he always advocated for increased health care services and better financial benefits, including education assistance for troops leaving service."
Stump retired from Congress in January after representing Arizona for 26 years in the House of Representatives. He chaired the Veterans’ Affairs Committee from 1995 to 2000 and then the Armed Services Committee.
A Navy medic in the South Pacific during World War II, he was a leader in the effort to construct the World War II memorial now being built on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
"His hard work and integrity were well known to his colleagues, recognized with awards from many veterans organizations and much appreciated by the Department of Veterans Affairs," Principi added.
Principi credited Stump with playing a major role in helping VA reform its health care eligibility rules and in allowing VA's health care system to keep the money it collects from third-party insurers.
