View Header

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release December 22, 1999

PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES ROBERT M. (MIKE) WALKER AS ACTING UNDER SECRETARY FOR MEMORIAL AFFAIRS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Today, the President announced his intent to designate Robert M. (Mike) Walker to serve as Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Walker can serve in this capacity due to the stipulations of the Vacancy Act.

Mr. Walker, of Tennessee, is a veteran with senior-level experience as a chief operating officer of the Nation's Federal disaster agency, chief executive officer of the Department of the Army and staff member of the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations. Prior to Mr. Walker's appointment in 1998 to the position of Deputy Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), he served as Under Secretary of the Army, Acting Secretary of the Army, Army Acquisition Executive and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Logistics, and Environment.

Mr. Walker attended the University of Tennessee from 1966-1968.

In his position as Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, Mr. Walker will direct the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) and is responsible for the development and implementation of policies, and programs associated with veteran interment benefits. The mission of NCA is to honor veterans with a final resting-place and lasting memorials that commemorates their service to our Nation.

-30-30-30-