"It is a wise father who knows his own child" (The Merchant of Venice)

Well, this morning I went to my email and found there was a comment from "Cyrus" from Montana. Now Cyrus sounds like just the right kind of name coming from that neck of the country, and of course I mean that as a compliment. I appreciate someone with Cyrus's name looking out for my daughter. And I appreciated his comment; "We enjoy your contribution to this earth...Robin and your blog." What could be a better comment coming from halfway across the country from someone you don't know? I emailed my daughter and asked, "Who's Cyrus?" Her response was simply "one of the regulars". Oh, of course! How stupid of me. Well, I will not let the chance go by as long as I have this venue to let the "regulars" know some things about Robin that they might not know. So, I am posting a brief bio of her before she went to be Undersecretary of the VA for Memorial Affairs in D.C. I don't recall the year, so ask her.


Robin Higgins currently serves as the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, having been appointed to that position by Governor Jeb Bush. As the Governor’s chief advisor on veterans’ issues, she leads the state agency that assists Florida’s veterans and their dependents to access federal and state benefits to which they may be entitled, such as compensation, hospitalization, long-term healthcare, vocational training and other advocacy programs.

A native of the Bronx, New York, she spent her early years on Long Island. She obtained two degrees in English, a bachelor's from State University of New York at Oneonta and a master's from Long Island University. She also studied for a time at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel, and taught high school English on Long Island.

Then she joined the Marine Corps. She served 20 years in the military, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Her final assignments were chief spokesman for the Commandant and head of the Public Affairs Division's media branch at Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, DC.

During President Bush’s Administration, she served as Deputy Assistant Secretary and then Acting Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training at the U.S. Department of Labor. While there, she was an advisor to the Department of Veterans' Affairs Advisory Committee on Women Veterans and a commissioner on the Department of Defense's Defense Conversion Commission.

Upon moving to Florida, she served as the Director of Public Affairs for Florida’s state Comptroller, and then spent a year consulting, public speaking and writing on a variety of topics, including media relations, public affairs, and veterans' advocacy.

Mrs. Higgins is the widow of Colonel William R. (Rich) Higgins, a Marine officer taken captive by terrorists in Lebanon and later murdered. Since then, she has become an internationally known speaker on surviving adversity, patriotic themes, and terrorism. Her book, Patriot Dreams - The Murder of Colonel Rich Higgins was published in time for the commissioning of the USS HIGGINS (DDG 76), a Navy destroyer named for her husband.

Mrs. Higgins is the recipient of numerous awards, to include the Marine Corps League's Dickey Chapelle Award for outstanding service to Marines, American Legion Auxiliary's Public Spirit Award for outstanding service to country, and American Academy of Physician Assistants Veterans Caucus Award for outstanding service to veterans. Her military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

She is a member of numerous veterans' organizations, including the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, The Retired Officers' Association, the Jewish War Veterans, AMVETS, and the Marine Corps League. She is a member of Temple Israel in Tallahassee, Florida. Mrs. Higgins has testified before Congress; appeared on numerous morning and evening news programs; and has had many letters, articles, and opinion pieces published in major publications.

And that ain't all folks: Continue with remarks from a Congressman who heard Robin's Pearl Harbor Day speech in Hawaii a few years ago:


Floor Speeches By Congressman Bill Young
TRIBUTE TO ROBIN HIGGINS -- HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG (Extensions of Remarks - December 13, 2001)
· Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Memorably described by President Franklin Roosevelt as ``a date which will live in infamy,'' Pearl Harbor Day has taken on added significance since September 11, when America was again ``suddenly and deliberately attacked.''
· Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in the 60th anniversary memorial services at Pearl Harbor. I was particularly struck by a moving speech given at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific by Robin Higgins, Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Secretary Higgins, from my home state of Florida, was herself a victim of terrorism when her husband, Marine Colonel Rich Higgins was murdered in Lebanon 13 years ago. She and her husband have dedicated their lives in service of this country, and they are two true American heroes.
· Mr. Speaker, as we remember the brave survivors of Pearl Harbor and the men and women serving in our military around the world, I salute Rich and Robin Higgins, and I ask unanimous consent that Secretary Higgins speech be inserted into the RECORD.
The Honorable Robin Higgins, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, U.S Department of Veterans Affairs
KEYNOTE ADDRESS PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS, 60TH ANNIVERSARY
DECEMBER 7, 2001 THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC

And, last but not least, the farewell speech by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs at Robin's retirement:

Before we begin, I would like to say a few words about Mrs. Robin Higgins who stepped down recently as Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs. VA lost a wonderful and dedicated leader on the day of Mrs. Higgins’ departure.
I was honored to join with NCA’s Central Office staff in biding Robin a very fond and bittersweet farewell two weeks ago.
A woman - a wife - of greater courage, you will not find.
A patriot with higher hopes for America…you will not find.
A public servant with more integrity and commitment to honor the public trust…you will not find.

And a veteran with greater love for her fellow veterans, you most certainly will not find.

Well, now you know Robin if you didn't know her before. Honor is the subject of my story.
But don't forget I have 3 other "kids" just like her. And if "Pride goeth before a fall", I still don't mind being proud of the way my daughter has led her life. If I fall, I know she will pick me up.