Who else would be better to be chosen as the ‘Keynote’ speaker at the Democratic Convention than one of those this country sent into a failed Foreign Policy Conflict and Occupation.
There are many to choose from, way too many, who have Sacrificed way too much for this country, but now that Senator Obama has made History and will Lead the Convention they need look no further than his own State.
Welcome to the Web site for the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, the state agency dedicated and committed to assist veterans and their family members get the services they have rightfully earned.
Our veterans put their lives on the line to fight for our freedoms. Now, it is our time to fight for them. We owe it to them.
L. Tammy Duckworth
Director, DVA
Committed to Serving Country and Community
Director L. Tammy Duckworth was appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs by Governor Blagojevich on November 21, 2006.Director Duckworth brings considerable managerial experience to the department. She was the Manager for the Club and District Administration Department for Rotary Internationals Asia-Pacific Region from 2002 to 2004, with direct supervision over employees in five regional offices in Japan, New Delhi, Sydney, Seoul and Chicago, providing administrative services to the organizations tens of thousands of members.
From 1999 to 2001, Director Duckworth coordinated the Center for Nursing Research at Northern Illinois University. She is a published author with textbook chapters and articles on the effects of Environmental Radon and Lung Cancer.
As a member of the military, Director Duckworth is currently a Major with the Illinois National Guard. Previously she was the 106th Aviation Battalion Logistics Officer in Peoria, and later the Commander of B/1-106th Aviation, a 15-ship, UH-60A Blackhawk Helicopter Company located at the Chicago Midway Airport. She served in Iraq as a Battle Captain and Assistant Operations Officer for a 500-soldier aviation taskforce. She also flew combat missions as a Blackhawk pilot. It was during a mission in November 2004 that a rocket-propelled grenade struck the cockpit of the helicopter she was co-piloting and exploded. Director Duckworth suffered grave injuries, losing both legs and partial use of one arm.
Since coming home from Iraq, Director Duckworth has remained active in the public arena, regularly speaking to Veterans groups, testifying before Congress on issues of medical care for returning veterans and running for a U.S. Congressional seat.
As a Soldier, Director Duckworth received the Purple Heart and the Air Medal, along with other decorations, citations and badges.
Director Duckworth, who speaks four languages, has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Hawaii and an M.A. from the George Washington Universitys Elliott School of International Affairs. Her PhD studies on the topic: Public-Private Partnerships in Public Health programs was interrupted by her mobilization to serve in Iraq and subsequent injury.
Director Duckworth was born in Thailand and grew up in several countries in Southeast Asia. Her father Franklin Duckworth fought as a U.S. Marine in World War II and Vietnam.
Director Duckworth and her husband MAJ Bryan Bowlsbey, currently reside in Hoffman Estates, IL.
Than ‘President Obama’ can place Tammy at the Head of the Veterans Administration! illinois would be sad to loose her but happy for the Veterans and Countries gain!!
