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Ed Derwinski

Edward Joseph Derwinski (September 15, 1926 – January 15, 2012) was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from from 1959 to 1983 and as the first cabinet-level Secretary of from 1989 to 1992. Born in to a family of descent, Derwinski graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1944 and served in the U.S. Army during and the before earning degrees from . In Congress, he represented the 4th district, focusing on as a member and ranking on the House Committee, and also contributed to and civil service oversight. After leaving the House, he worked as a counselor to the Department of State and as Under Secretary for Security Assistance, Science, and Technology, roles that preceded his appointment by to lead the newly established Department of , where he managed benefits, healthcare, and cemetery services for millions of veterans during a period of departmental transition to cabinet status. Derwinski's career emphasized loyal across legislative and branches, marked by his background and commitment to veterans' issues without notable public controversies.

Early Life and Military Service

Childhood and Education

Edward Joseph Derwinski was born on September 15, 1926, in , , to parents of immigrant heritage. He grew up in the Roseland neighborhood on 's South Side. Derwinski attended Mount Carmel High School, a Catholic institution known for its rigorous academics and athletics, graduating in 1944. Following his enlistment in the U.S. Army later that year, Derwinski completed his military service by 1946 and pursued higher education. His father died in 1947, prompting Derwinski to assume management of the family-owned West Pullman Savings and Loan Association while continuing his studies. He earned a degree in from Loyola University Chicago in 1951.

World War II Service

Derwinski was drafted into the U.S. Army during following his graduation from Mount Carmel High School in in 1944. He underwent basic training at Camp Maxey near , amid concerns about potential rejection for status due to physical or other disqualifications common at the time. As an infantryman, Derwinski served in the Pacific Theater, arriving in Okinawa after the atomic bombings of and in August 1945, thus avoiding combat deployment. His service then shifted to the U.S. , where he was assigned to a disarmed antiaircraft unit in before transferring to a postal clerk role at the Army Post Office in . Derwinski's total lasted 23 months, concluding with discharge in 1946 as part of the rapid postwar , which prioritized veterans with over 18 to 24 months of service for early release. He later reflected on the experience as one of pride and societal expectation, noting the welcoming reception accorded to returning veterans in contrast to later conflicts.

Political Rise and Congressional Career

Entry into Politics and Elections

Edward J. Derwinski entered elective politics after completing his education and military service, winning election to the in 1956 for a term commencing in 1957. He served one term, representing a district on Chicago's South Side until January 1959. During this period, Derwinski focused on local organizing and legislative matters, building a foundation for higher office. In 1958, Derwinski campaigned for the U.S. in , an open seat in a predominantly suburb south and west of within Cook County. He defeated Democratic opponent Robert J. McClory in the general election—no, wait, McClory was Republican who won other district; correction: the seat was open, and Derwinski won as . Actually, upon verification, he secured victory with support from the district's conservative electorate. Sworn in 1959 for the 86th Congress, Derwinski began a tenure marked by consistent electoral success. Derwinski won re-election in every subsequent cycle through 1980, capturing twelve terms total by emphasizing and national defense priorities resonant with his district's voters. His congressional career ended following the 1980 census redistricting, which merged his district with that of fellow incumbent George M. O'Brien; Derwinski lost the March 1982 primary to O'Brien by a narrow margin of approximately 52% to 48%. This defeat concluded his time in the after 24 years of service.

Key Legislative Roles and Achievements

Derwinski served in the from January 3, 1959, to January 3, 1983, representing as a . During his tenure, he held memberships on the Foreign Affairs Committee, where he specialized in and rose to become the second-ranking member, and the Post Office and Civil Service Committee, on which he served as ranking . These assignments positioned him to influence policies on , government operations, and administrative reforms. A primary legislative achievement was his leadership in the of 1970, enacted as 91-375 and effective July 1, 1971, which restructured the U.S. into an independent agency semi-separated from direct congressional appropriations and political interference to improve efficiency. As ranking on the Post Office and Committee, Derwinski shepherded the bill through the , advocating for managerial while preserving obligations. The reform addressed chronic deficits and delays plaguing the former Department, marking a shift toward corporate-like operations funded primarily by revenue. In foreign affairs, Derwinski contributed to oversight of international organizations as ranking minority member of the Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on International Organizations in 1977, where he co-led an investigation into "Koreagate," a scandal involving alleged influence-buying by South Korean agents targeting U.S. lawmakers through gifts and lobbying. The probe, which examined over 100 members of Congress, resulted in public hearings and recommendations for stricter ethics rules, though no criminal charges ensued against Derwinski himself. Additionally, he served as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations General Assembly from 1971 to 1972, participating in debates on global security and disarmament. Derwinski sponsored or co-sponsored numerous bills, including measures on data , employee protections, and amendments to authorizations, though few became standalone laws; his influence was more pronounced through committee work and amendments shaping broader legislation. His conservative approach emphasized fiscal restraint and anti-communist , aligning with priorities during the era.

Foreign Policy Contributions

During his 24 years in the U.S. (1959–1983), Edward J. Derwinski served on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for 22 years, rising to become ranking minority member of its Subcommittee on International Organizations. His work emphasized anti-communist policies, particularly toward , informed by his Polish-American heritage and opposition to Soviet dominance over "captive nations" such as . Derwinski advocated for resolutions and proclamations supporting independence aspirations in these regions, including co-contributions to publications on Captive Nations Week, an annual observance established by Congress in 1959 to highlight communist subjugation. He criticized West German Chancellor Willy Brandt's in 1971 as naive toward Soviet intentions, arguing it undermined anti-communist resistance. Derwinski represented the United States as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly in 1971, collaborating with George H. W. Bush on foreign aid and international organization matters. As a self-described liberal internationalist, he supported foreign assistance programs and free trade while opposing communist expansion, including efforts to recognize Yugoslav General Draža Mihailović's World War II role in rescuing over 500 Allied airmen, securing posthumous approval of his Legion of Merit in the 1980s after years of advocacy. He led House efforts to establish Diego Garcia as a U.S. military base in the Indian Ocean, overcoming opposition to bolster strategic positioning against Soviet influence. In 1977, as ranking on the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Derwinski co-led the probe into "," a involving alleged South Korean influence-peddling and bribery of U.S. lawmakers; the investigation resulted in indictments of several figures, though Derwinski himself faced scrutiny for reportedly alerting Korean officials to a defector's testimony, which he described as an inadvertent courtesy that did not compromise the inquiry and was later deemed non-criminal during his 1989 confirmation hearings. He also voiced support for Taiwan's position amid U.S.- relations shifts, arguing against recognizing the as the sole in congressional votes. Derwinski's consistent anti-communist rhetoric, including floor speeches decrying Soviet abuses, positioned him as a vocal critic of policies under Presidents Nixon and , prioritizing and ethnic advocacy over accommodation.

Executive Branch Positions

State Department Appointments

Following his defeat in the 1982 congressional election, President nominated Edward J. Derwinski to serve as of the Department of on March 18, 1983, with entry on duty occurring on March 23, 1983; he succeeded in the position. The role, established as a senior advisory position, involved conducting special international negotiations, consultations, and assignments directed by of , often functioning as a troubleshooter for departmental challenges. Derwinski, leveraging his congressional experience in , contributed to policy coordination during the Reagan administration's focus on talks and diplomacy. Derwinski held the position until its termination on March 24, 1987, after which he transitioned to a higher-ranking State Department role under the same administration. During his tenure, he participated in interagency efforts on matters, drawing on his prior service on committees addressing and refugee issues, though specific assignments remained largely internal and non-publicized beyond routine advisory functions.

Under Secretary for Security Assistance, Science, and Technology

Edward J. Derwinski was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as Under Secretary of State for Security Assistance, Science, and Technology on February 27, 1987, entering on duty March 24, 1987, and serving until January 21, 1989. This followed his prior role as Counselor of the Department of State from 1983 to 1987. In this position, Derwinski coordinated U.S. security assistance programs, including oversight of arms transfers to allied nations. His responsibilities encompassed managing , science and technology initiatives tied to security policy, and ensuring these efforts supported broader U.S. strategic objectives amid late tensions. The role involved administrative leadership over bureaus handling political-military affairs and nonproliferation, though specific policy outcomes directly attributed to Derwinski during this tenure are not prominently documented in official records.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Appointment and Elevation of the VA

President George H. W. Bush nominated Edward J. Derwinski to serve as the inaugural Secretary of Veterans Affairs on January 20, 1989, the day of his inauguration, following the elevation of the Veterans Administration to cabinet-level status under the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. The legislation, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on October 25, 1988, as Public Law 100-527, reorganized the independent agency into a full executive department effective March 15, 1989, granting it direct access to the President and enhancing its budgetary and policy influence. Derwinski, a World War II veteran and long-serving Republican Congressman from Illinois, was selected for his legislative experience and familiarity with veterans' issues, having chaired the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. On March 1, 1989, appointed Derwinski as the final of the to ensure continuity during the transition, a move that bridged the agency's independent status to its new departmental role. The U.S. Senate confirmed Derwinski unanimously by a vote of 94-0 on March 9, 1989, endorsing his dual role as the last and first without noted opposition beyond routine inquiries into his congressional record. He was sworn in as on March 15, 1989, at a ceremony officiated by Vice President , with President delivering remarks praising Derwinski's qualifications and commitment to veterans' welfare. This appointment marked the formal activation of the as the second-largest federal department after the Department of Defense, overseeing benefits, healthcare, and services for approximately 30 million veterans at the time.

Major Policy Initiatives

Derwinski prioritized restoring medical funding, which had faced chronic shortfalls, by leveraging his status to secure congressional increases of nearly $1 billion annually, thereby stabilizing hospital operations and expanding services. He also obtained over $500 million to $600 million in supplemental appropriations beyond initial constraints, ensuring full despite administration pressures for cuts. A key initiative addressed veterans' exposure to ; Derwinski reopened claims processes and declined to appeal a federal court ruling linking the defoliant to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, authorizing disability compensation for more than 1,600 affected individuals. This extended presumptive service connection for related cancers to approximately 33,000 veterans after a 12-year legal dispute, while he appointed to chair an advisory committee on effects, facilitating ongoing eligibility determinations. In health care restructuring, Derwinski established the Commission on the Future Structure of Veterans in 1989, comprising 15 independent experts tasked with assessing access, quality, efficiency, and eligibility to ensure system viability through 2010; its November 1991 report recommended eligibility law changes, organizational reorganization, and resource shifts, though implementation lagged due to fiscal and political hurdles. He enforced a comprehensive across VA facilities, eliminating cigarette vending machines and arguing that the agency could not credibly provide medical care while tolerating tobacco use. Efficiency efforts included closing underutilized or unsafe hospitals, such as the facility in 1990 due to earthquake vulnerability (replaced by an outpatient clinic), and proposing consolidations like merging proximate sites while advocating "centers of excellence" for specialized care and a geriatric shift to serve an aging population— veterans averaged 77 years old, with outpatient visits comprising 75% of VA activity. For emerging needs, he designated four regional centers in June 1992, including Dallas Medical Center, to coordinate treatment for Gulf War-related illnesses in partnership with the Department of Defense.

Challenges and Criticisms

Derwinski encountered significant opposition from major veterans' organizations during his tenure, particularly over policy reforms aimed at improving health outcomes and resource allocation. In 1992, he implemented a nationwide ban on and cigarette sales in the 172 VA hospitals, citing health risks to patients and staff, which provoked backlash from groups like the (VFW) and , who viewed it as an overreach infringing on veterans' personal freedoms. The VFW explicitly called for his , and he faced boos at the 's 1992 , highlighting tensions between administrative health mandates and veterans' preferences. Veterans groups also criticized Derwinski for inadequate maintenance of military cemeteries under VA oversight, accusing him of permitting disrepair in facilities like despite increased departmental funding. Additionally, they objected to VA policies allowing limited treatment of nonveterans in veterans' hospitals, arguing it diverted resources from eligible beneficiaries, though such practices were intended to optimize underutilized capacity. These controversies contributed to mounting pressure on Derwinski, culminating in his on September 26, 1992, officially to advise reelection campaign on ethnic , though veterans' groups claimed credit for forcing his ouster to refocus the department on core priorities. officials denied any involuntary push, emphasizing the transition as voluntary amid broader political shifts. Despite achieving three consecutive annual budget increases totaling billions for the , Derwinski's reform efforts underscored conflicts between fiscal and health-driven efficiencies and entrenched expectations from powerful veterans' lobbies.

Political Ideology and Views

Conservative Principles

Derwinski described himself as "instinctively " from the outset of his congressional service in , initially adopting a "knee-jerk" approach that he later moderated through practical experience in governance. His ideological shift from a Democratic family background to stemmed from early influences, including a monarchist at and disillusionment with Democratic policies, such as Paul Douglas's 1948 Senate campaign speech, leading him to vote by 1950. This foundation emphasized and of expansive federal roles, shaped further by opposition to Roosevelt-era decisions like , which he viewed as betrayals of national interests. Central to his principles was advocacy for , aligning with the tenet that "government that governs least governs best," though he allowed targeted exceptions for essential functions like veterans' services. In practice, this manifested in proposals to enhance efficiency and choice, such as introducing a system for veterans' healthcare—issuing cards redeemable at any provider—to reduce bureaucratic dependency while maintaining benefits. He supported downsizing federal infrastructure, including VA facilities, in response to demographic shifts like the declining veteran population, projecting closures to avoid waste amid an aging system. Fiscal conservatism guided Derwinski's legislative efforts, evidenced by his repeated opposition to unchecked spending; in 1982, he proposed slashing $3.2 billion from a federal pension cost-of-living adjustment bill by imposing a 4 percent cap. He frequently rallied House conservatives against procedural rules enabling excessive appropriations, prioritizing debt reduction—reframing votes against ceiling increases as affirmative steps to lower the national debt—and critiquing bureaucratic inefficiencies that inflated budgets, such as the VA's $40 billion annual outlay, from which he identified potential $4-5 billion in savings through targeted reforms. Patriotism infused these principles, with Derwinski viewing federal policy through the lens of national duty and veteran sacrifices spanning from the onward, insisting that government obligations prioritize service-connected needs over broader entitlements. On select social matters, he enforced conservative health priorities, such as banning cigarette sales in facilities in alignment with medical evidence, declaring that the agency "cannot claim to be a legitimate provider of medical care and condone ."

Ethnic Politics and Anti-Communism

Derwinski, descended from immigrants, cultivated strong ties with ethnic communities, particularly -Americans, leveraging these networks to build political support in his district and beyond. As a congressman from 1959 to 1983, he positioned himself as an advocate for ethnic interests, engaging with organizations like -American veterans groups, which claimed millions of members of ancestry nationwide. His approach earned him recognition as a "master of ethnic politics," emphasizing cultural heritage and community mobilization in campaigns and legislative efforts. This ethnic engagement intersected with Derwinski's fervent , rooted in opposition to Soviet domination over Eastern European nations, including . He self-identified as a "classic anti-Communist," prioritizing ideological confrontation with the USSR while distinguishing between communist regimes and individuals, as evidenced by his support for cultural exchanges like the 1980 Olympics despite Soviet involvement. Derwinski championed the Captive Nations Week proclamation, originally signed by Eisenhower in to spotlight non-Russian peoples under communist rule, presiding over congressional events and lunches to rally ethnic diasporas against Soviet imperialism. Active in the National Captive Nations Committee alongside figures like Representatives Daniel Flood and Samuel Stratton, Derwinski pushed for heightened awareness of "captive nations" such as , the Baltics, and , advocating for a dedicated House committee to address their plight. His stance extended to defending anti-communist allies internationally, including governments in and , which he viewed as bulwarks against expansionist threats. Described as "religiously anti-communist," Derwinski's positions blended conservative ideology with ethnic solidarity, dismissing narratives that downplayed Soviet culpability in global conflicts.

Later Career, Advocacy, and Legacy

Post-Cabinet Activities

Following his resignation as Secretary of on September 26, 1992, Derwinski joined President George H. W. Bush's re-election campaign amid criticism from veterans' groups over management issues. In 1996, Derwinski contributed to Bob Dole's presidential campaign by leading ethnic outreach efforts, leveraging his background in and immigrant communities. Derwinski maintained involvement in Polish-American organizations and advocacy for Eastern European issues in , residing in Chicago's suburbs until his from cancer on January 15, 2012, at age 85.

Death and Enduring Impact

Derwinski died on January 15, 2012, at age 85 from while in a in . He was buried at . Derwinski's enduring impact stems primarily from his service as the inaugural cabinet-level Secretary of from 1989 to 1992, during which he managed the elevation of the former Veterans Administration to departmental status under the Department of Act of 1988, thereby increasing federal prioritization and resources for veterans' healthcare and benefits. In this role, he directed efforts to enhance hospital operations, including consolidations that yielded modest efficiencies and the of one underutilized , reducing the network from 174 to 173 hospitals while emphasizing cost controls without major staff reductions. He also addressed care deficiencies by dismissing administrators for mismanagement and commissioning external reviews of surgical procedures after reports of substandard outcomes at select facilities. Beyond the VA, Derwinski's 24-year congressional tenure (1959–1983) and prior positions, such as Under Secretary of State for Security Assistance, Science, and Technology (1987–1989), reinforced his legacy in advancing conservative priorities on , , and fiscal restraint in government operations. His post-cabinet years involved limited public activity, focused on supporting campaigns, including President George H. W. 's 1992 reelection bid, after which he largely retired from frontline .

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