In 1990, Noreen Sommer was the first NOVA President to meet in the offices of the first Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Secretary Edward J. Derwinski. She expressed the dedication of NOVA and VA nurses to the quality care of veteran patients. Another historic moment occurred when NOVA was honored by Chairman G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Chairman Montgomery presented NOVA with a Red Line copy of the Nurse Pay Act of 1990. This red lined copy is a framed ceremonial, limited edition of the first and last page of the bill as signed by House Speaker Thomas Foley, President Pro Tempore of the Senate Robert Byrd, and President George Bush.  In February, 1991 President Noreen Sommer submitted NOVA’s testimony on the Fiscal Year 1992 Budget to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs.  Her testimony emphasized the importance of VA health care as a most basic need for our nation’s veterans and that inadequate VA appropriations have jeopardized the quality and quantity of VA health care.  NOVA’s Eleventh Annual Meeting was held at the Crystal City Marriott Hotel April 18 – 20, 1991. Dr. James Holsinger Chief Medical Director, VHA, opened Legislative Day with a brief outline of VA goals and priorities: 1) Health care for veterans, 2) Education, 3) Research, and 4) Back up for the Department of Defense. Dr. Holsinger viewed the VA as exchanging some acute care beds for more long term care beds in the future, and stated that the VA has the opportunity to “blaze the trail of care for the elderly.” Yvonne Moody MSN RN, Deputy Director, VA Nursing Service, highlighted the pilot project being conducted at 21 VA facilities aimed at eliminating shift rotation, and discussed multiple and continuing efforts of implementing the VA Nurse Pay Act and of enhancing the leadership role of VA nurses. Over 80 members, representing 18 states, visited their Congressional representatives, including members of the VA and Appropriations Committees. Rhetaugh Dumas PhD RN FAAN planted seeds for NOVA’s strategic planning when she gave the keynote address. Dr. Dumas is currently a member of the VA Commission on the Future Structure of Veterans Health Care.  The recipient of NOVA’s Barbara Chambers Award was Verdelle B. Bellamy, Associate Chief, Nursing Home Care Unit, Atlanta VAMC, for her long and distinguished service to NOVA.  She completed her service to NOVA as the last remaining member of NOVA’s first elected board.  The recipient of the Professional Nurse Award was Margaret Kruckemeyer, Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Dayton VAMC, for her sustained professional excellence.