FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 25, 2009

Contact – Senator Scott Fitzgerald, (608) 266-5660

Fitzgerald Statement on Firing of DVA Secretary Scocos

[Madison, Wisc….] Today in a closed door meeting, the Board of Veterans Affairs demanded that
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary John Scocos resign from his position or be fired. After
refusing to step down, the Board proceeded to fire Scocos. Senate Republican Leader Scott
Fitzgerald (R – Juneau) issued the following statement in response:

The Board’s actions today against Secretary John Scocos are outrageous, particularly
after his recent return home from active duty. Secretary Scocos is an honorable veteran
who has served two tours of duty in Iraq for his country and has helped to obtain some of
the best veterans’ benefits in the nation for Wisconsin soldiers. After such exemplary
service, this action is a slap in the face to Secretary Scocos.

The Board of Veterans Affairs has become so politicized under Governor Jim Doyle that
it calls into question the credentials of the board members. This baseless action
demonstrates the politicized force that is driving a rift through the agency at the expense
of Wisconsin veterans.

The “reasons” that were given to fire Scocos are simply unfounded excuses to kick out a
Republican appointed secretary. Wisconsin legislators and citizens need to take a hard
look at the composition of the Board to determine whether it is truly serving the needs of
our state’s veterans or simply bowing to the political whims of the Democrat majority.

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