[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 28 (Friday, February 11, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF OSCAR G. JOHNSON VAMC DIRECTOR JAMES RICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           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.

                          ____________________