DAILY BRIEFING
West Named Acting VA Chief
President Clinton on Tuesday named Togo D. West acting secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
West, currently secretary of the Army, will be formally nominated as Veterans' Affairs secretary when the Senate reconvenes in January.
"Togo West's entire life has been dedicated to excellence and commitment," Clinton said at a news conference. "He has always understood the special responsibility we owe to our men and women in uniform both during and after their years of service."
Clinton's original nominee for the position, Hershel Gober, withdrew his nomination in October amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
West thanked Clinton for the opportunity to serve "those to whom all Americans owe a debt that we can never repay."
West, who received a B.S. and J.D. from Howard University, has served in the federal government since 1967.
NEXT STORY: Medicare Panel Members Named