"I'm back to scaring passengers," joked Duckworth, 41, who despite losing both legs and part of one arm in battle is still flying helicopters. The Iraq war veteran recently passed the FAA Statement of Demonstrated Ability. What's more, Duckworth still serves her country one weekend a month and two weeks a year under the Continuation on Active Reserve Program. In her new job, Duckworth advises the secretary on media and public affairs, directs departmental communications, and oversees programs relating to intergovernmental relations. Daughter of a marine, she began her military career in 1990, joining ROTC in graduate school. In 2006, she ran as a Democrat for Illinois's 6th Congressional District seat. She lost the race and became director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. Duckworth received her bachelor's degree from the University of Hawaii, her home state, and her master's in international affairs at George Washington University.
| Is a Lawyer | |
| Has a PhD | |
| Has Worked in Congress | |
| Has State or Local Experience |
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| Has Lobbied | |
| Has Worked at a Think Tank or in Academia | |
| Has Military Experience |
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| Has Worked as a Business Executive | |
| Has Held Elective Office | |
| Undergraduate Alma Mater | Hawaii |
| Graduate Alma Mater | George Washington |
Established: 1989
Address: 810 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20420
Phone: 202-273-5400
2009 Budget: $97.2 billion
Employment: 284,748
Web Site: www.va.gov
Functions: Veterans Affairs manages veterans hospitals and clinics. It also oversees the eligibility for and disbursement of disability pensions, veterans educational assistance programs, vocational rehabilitation for disabled vets, and the mortgage loan guaranty program. In addition, the department administers the National Cemetery System, including national cemeteries, headstones, and grants to states for developing cemeteries.
