Nation's first secretary of veterans affairs dies

CHICAGO (AP) — Edward Derwinski, the nation's first secretary of veterans affairs, has died at the age of 85.

Derwinski also served 24 years in the U.S. House, where he represented Chicago's south side and southern suburbs.

His family says Derwinski died of cancer on Sunday.

After leaving Congress in 1983, the Republican worked at the State Department and then was named head of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, which had just been given Cabinet status.

Other politicians tell the Chicago Tribune that Derwinski was friendly, with connections to people throughout his district.

Sen. Mark Kirk says he "brought a gritty, Chicagoland get-it-done feel to his work."

He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday at Holy Family Church in Chicago.