Profile: Anthony Principi
— -- Anthony Principi will be making a return to his old office when he is sworn in as the head of the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Principi, a Vietnam veteran, served as deputysecretary of Veteran Affairs in 1989 when the elder George Bush held office as president. Principi also served as counsel to theSenate Veterans’ Affairs Committee in 1984.
Principi’s father, Anthony, started the family tradition of serving in the armed forces. Shortly after arriving in the United States from Argentina as an immigrant, he signed up for battle in World War II.
“My father, like so many gallant Americans, joined the ranks ofthe men and women who came to be described as ‘the greatestgeneration,’” Principi said today as President-elect George W.Bush announced his nomination. “I know of no mission moreworthwhile than serving the men and women who have so honorablyserved their nation.”
Strong Voice for Vets
Principi has been a long supporter of expanding military andveterans benefits, including full college scholarships, home loanswithout a down payment, and improving medical care benefits andservice.
“Principi’s a keeper,” said Robert Coy, a retired lawyer forthe department for 41 years who worked under 10 differentsecretaries. “He clearly is an advocate for veterans. He’s notunwilling to address major tough issues and he’s not unwilling tomake change.”
Anthony Principi, who grew up in the Bronx borough of NewYork, graduated in 1967 from the U.S. Naval Academy, where heplayed sprint football and was on the boxing team.
He served in Vietnam and was assigned to river patrol along theMekong Delta. Principi earned several decorations for his tour,including a Bronze Star and the Navy Combat Action medal.
He went on to earn his law degree from Seton Hall University andwas defense counsel for the Navy.
Service Runs in the Family
Principi has good relationships with the veterans organizations,said Butch Miller, a former national commander of the AmericanLegion, the nation’s largest veterans’ group.
“His reputation as a public servant in the VA community isimpeccable,” Miller said. “He’s not known to be a fantastic tap dancer. He will sit down across the table from you and say, ‘Thingsare not working right, let’s fix it,’ and go from there.”
His wife of 30 years, Elizabeth, is also a veteran. She served in Vietnam as a nurse. She worked as a Navy lawyer and is currently inprivate practice in San Diego.
The couple’s oldest son, Anthony Principi III, 27, is a captainat Mildenhall Air Force Base in England, and Ryan, 24 is a secondlieutenant at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. A third son, John,22, is a senior at the University of California, Berkeley.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.