WASHINGTON – The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, was named one of West Point’s 2005 Distinguished Graduates for his service to the nation, in an award ceremony at the United StatesMilitaryAcademy on May 24.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by West Point,” Nicholson said. “My years as a student there were among the most important years of my life. They built a foundation for everything I did in my career.”
Secretary Nicholson is a member of the West Point Class of 1961. Following graduation, he served eight years on active duty as an airborne, Ranger-qualified infantry officer, including a tour in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star and other combat decorations. He later served 22 years in the Army Reserve and retired with the rank of colonel.
Nominated on December 9, 2004, by President George W. Bush to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Nicholson was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on January 26, 2005, and sworn into office on February 1.
As Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Nicholson directs the federal government’s second largest department, which is responsible for a nationwide system of health care services, benefits programs and national cemeteries for America’s 25 million veterans.
VA employs approximately 230,000 people and has a budget of more than $69 billion for Fiscal Year 2005.
Before heading the Department of Veterans Affairs, Nicholson served as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See in Rome. He was knighted by Pope John Paul II in October 2003 for his work representing the United States to the Vatican.
After earning a master’s degree from ColumbiaUniversity in New York and a law degree from the University of Denver, Nicholson embarked on a successful career in real estate law and real estate development.
Secretary Nicholson is married to the former Suzanne Marie Ferrell of Highland Falls, New York. They are parents of three grown children.
