FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2007 

WASHINGTON - - Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield will become the Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs following the resignation of Secretary Jim Nicholson.  Secretary Nicholson tendered his resignation to President Bush on July 17, 2007, to be effective no later than October 1, 2007.

Mansfield assumes the role on October 1 under the terms of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, where a Deputy Secretary begins to serve as the acting officer immediately and automatically upon the occurrence of the vacancy.  Mansfield will serve as Acting Secretary until the next nominee of the President is confirmed by the United States Senate.

Appointed by President Bush in November 2003, Deputy Secretary Mansfield served as the chief operating officer for the federal government’s second largest department, responsible for a nationwide system of health care services, benefits programs and national cemeteries for America’s veterans and their dependents.
He previously served as VA Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs since August 1, 2001, serving as the legislative advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  He was responsible for VA’s Congressional relations and representing VA programs, policies, investigations and legislative agenda to Congress.

Prior to joining VA, Mr. Mansfield served as executive director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) since April 1993. In that position, the highly decorated Vietnam veteran oversaw daily operation of PVA’s national office in Washington, D.C.  Mr. Mansfield held a number of positions at PVA from 1981 to 1989, and served as the organization’s first associate executive director of Government Relations.

Mr. Mansfield served as Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1989 to 1993 under President George H. W. Bush’s Administration. Prior to 1981, he practiced law in Ocala, Fla.

Mr. Mansfield received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University and law degree from the University of Miami. Following his 1964 enlistment in the Army, Mr. Mansfield served two tours of duty in Vietnam. While serving as company commander with the 101st Airborne Division during his second tour, he was wounded during the Tet Offensive of 1968 sustaining a spinal cord injury. For his actions while his unit was under fire, he was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest personal decoration for valor in combat. He was medically retired by the U.S. Army at the grade of Captain. His other combat decorations include the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Mr. Mansfield is a recipient of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award and the Villanova University Alumni Human Relations Medal. He was inducted into the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 1997.

Press Release

WASHINGTON – More than 120 veterans from across the country, all selected national winners in music, dance, drama or art contests are preparing to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in St. Louis, Missouri, October 22-28.

"This event showcases the hard work of veterans and the positive impact of the creative arts in the lives of those who served in uniform,’ said Gordon H. Mansfield, Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  “The determination and grace shown by these participants is a testament to their character and spirit.”

Presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) and Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV), the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is the culmination of a year-long fine arts talent competition involving 3,000 participants nationwide.  The Festival is open to all veterans receiving care at VA medical facilities.  It is hosted this year by the VA Medical Center in St. Louis.

These talented veterans will come to St. Louis for a week of rehearsals and workshops, concluding on Sunday, October 28 with a visual art exhibit and gala variety stage show at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, located on the University of Missouri - St. Louis campus.  

"The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is one of the highlights of our year,” said Jan Pulvermacher-Ryan, ALA National President.  “We are privileged to share and support this wonderful event both locally and nationally.  We are well aware of the positive outcomes of the veterans’ participation, both in the performing and the visual arts."

The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is a week of learning, exploring, fellowship and celebration of the healing power of the arts.  Because the gold, silver or bronze medal winners are already selected to participate in the Festival, there is no competition at the event itself; rather, it serves as a showcase for the top national winners. 

“The Board of Directors of HHV is again thrilled and privileged to co-sponsor the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival with ALA and VA,” said Mike Lynch, HHV Executive Director.  “HHV wishes to congratulate all veterans who entered into this national competition, for you have shared your fantastic performing and visual arts abilities with America.”

Across the country each year, veterans treated at VA medical centers compete in local creative arts contests in 50 art categories that range from oil painting to leatherwork to paint-by-number kits.  In addition, there are 120 categories pertaining to all aspects of music, dance, drama and creative writing.  A national selection committee chooses first, second and third place winners among all of the entries.  Selected winners are invited to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. In 2007, 2,839 veterans from nearly 100 VA facilities entered the contest nationwide, with more than 120 of the medal-winning veterans earning an invitation to participate in the 2007 event in St. Louis.

The artists will exhibit their work from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on October 28 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center.  At 2:00 p.m., performers in music, drama and dance will showcase their talent in a stage show, backed by a professional orchestra.  Renowned actress of Hollywood’s golden era, Jane Powell, is the mistress of ceremonies for the show. 

For further information about the festival, contact Kim Byers, public affairs coordinator, at (734) 845-3377, or log on to the festival’s web site: www.creativeartsfestival.va.gov.

Press Release

To All Veteran Service Organizations

Wishing Well, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Hyattsville, Maryland is seeking your assistance in posting an announcement for its upcoming Veterans Day event. 

"Masked Heroes" is an art exhibit that will display the talents of artists who have served in the U.S. Military.  The event will take place in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. 

The announcement is attached.  Please post on your website, in your newsletters, and/or email to others.  With your help, we will encourage as many veteran artists as we can to participate.

More information can be obtained at www.wishingwelloutreach.org/events.