August 28, 2003
ROMNEY APPOINTS STATE’S 1ST SECRETARY OF VETERANS’ SERVICES
Commissioner Kelley’s elevation to cabinet honors veterans and their contributions
Governor Mitt Romney today swore in Thomas Kelley as the first Secretary of Veterans’ Services, elevating the state agency that advocates on behalf of the Commonwealth’s veterans to a cabinet level post in recognition of their contributions to state and country.
“For anyone who follows the news, the past few weeks has seen an increase in terrorist attacks against peace and civilization. From the bombing of the United Nations hotel in Baghdad to the continuing assaults against our troops in Iraq, we are coming to fully appreciate the sacrifice our men and women in uniform make on a daily basis,” said Romney.
Kelley, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, has been serving as the commissioner of veterans’ services since 1999.
“By elevating the commissioner’s office to the secretariat level, we are bestowing on our veterans a stronger and more direct voice in the administration of our government,” Romney said. “It is a status they richly deserve.”
Romney credited the Legislature with the idea of creating the cabinet-level post and said he was happy to sign it into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2004 budget.
“I am truly honored to serve as the Commonwealth’s first Secretary of Veterans’ Services,” said Kelley. “This move sends a strong signal that veterans and their priorities are respected and matter in Massachusetts.”
Veterans’ Services advocates on behalf of the 540,000 veterans and 900,000 immediate family members in the Commonwealth. The Secretariat will provide veterans and their family members with support services to ensure that they have access to the federal and state benefits they have earned through their service to our nation.
“Our veterans and their families have given so much of themselves to protect and defend our country that our state government in return should do every thing possible to ensure their voices are heard,” said Romney.
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