Bush nominates Vatican ambassador to head Veterans Affairs

Published: 2004-12-09

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, Jim Nicholson, has been nominated to head the Department of Veterans Affairs. Nicholson, a Catholic, is a graduate of West Point and a decorated veteran who served eight years as a paratrooper and Army Ranger in Vietnam. He remained in the Army Reserve for 22 years before retiring with the rank of colonel. Since 2001 he has been ambassador to the Holy See, a post he took after serving first as vice chairman then chairman of the Republican National Committee for eight years, successfully helping President George W. Bush win the 2000 presidential election. After leaving military service, Nicholson earned graduate degrees in public policy and law, and worked in legal practice and as a residential real estate developer in Colorado. At Veterans Affairs, Nicholson will replace Anthony Principi, one of nine Cabinet secretaries to resign since Bush was re-elected Nov. 2.

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