Edward J. Derwinski was the first United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, serving under President George H.W. Bush from March 15, 1989 to September 26, 1992. He was replaced by Jesse Brown, under Bill Clinton. Derwinski also served in the United States House of Representatives, where he was ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Relations committee. Derwinski has also served as an Undersecretary of State. He is currently an important figure in the Greek-American community in the U.S., serving on the board of the Hellenic American Heritage Council and other organizations.