WASHINGTON — Robin L. Higgins, who led the National Cemetery Administration through its response to the Sept. 11 attacks, has submitted to the President her resignation as the under secretary for memorial affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“In the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks, our nation has had to bury many veterans and their loved ones whose time was not supposed to come so soon. VA employees did that with care, grace and dignity,” Mrs. Higgins said. “I’m honored to be a part of that.”
As under secretary, Mrs. Higgins directs the operation and maintenance of 120 national cemeteries and oversees VA’s other memorial-related programs, including processing a record number of veterans’ headstones and markers at private cemeteries.
She presided over the opening of a new national cemetery at Ft. Sill, Okla., and moved five others – Atlanta, south Florida, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Sacramento, Calf. – closer to completion.
While at VA, Mrs. Higgins also has made it a priority to ensure that long-deferred maintenance is performed at national cemeteries, and she has revitalized VA’s relationship with state officials through a grants program for state veterans cemeteries.
“Mrs. Higgins is an esteemed leader,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. “She brings dignity and compassion to VA. She is committed to ensure that the final resting places for our nation’s veterans are national shrines.”
Mrs. Higgins was confirmed by the Senate on May 24, 2001. A 20-year veteran of the Marine Corps, she is the widow of Col. William R. (Rich) Higgins, a Marine officer captured by terrorists in Lebanon in 1988 and later murdered. She is the author of “Patriot Dreams – The Murder of Colonel Rich Higgins.”
She cited personal and health reasons for resigning. The resignation is effective Sept. 1, 2002.
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