Legion on Petzel resignation: 'business as usual'

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May 16, 2014, 04:38 ET

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki announced May 16 that he has accepted the resignation of his under secretary for health administration, Dr. Robert Petzel.

Responding to the news, American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger said, "This move by VA is not a corrective action, but a continuation of business as usual. Dr. Petzel was already scheduled to retire this year, so his resignation now really won't make that much of a difference.

"Meanwhile, Secretary Shinseki and Under Secretary Hickey remain on the job. They are both part of VA's leadership problem, and we want them to resign as soon as possible. This isn't personal. VA needs a fundamental shift in leadership if it is to defeat its systemic lack of accountability."

Dellinger, leader of the country's largest organization of wartime veterans, called on Shinseki, Petzel and Hickey to resign at a May 5 press conference at the Legion's national headquarters in Indianapolis.

Contact: Marty Callaghan:202-263-5758/202-215-8644, [email protected].

SOURCE The American Legion