Whereas Kingston Smith graduated from Duke University in
1968 with a bachelor's degree in arts;
Whereas Kingston Smith attended United States Air Force
Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, and was
commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force on December
20, 1968;
Whereas Kingston Smith earned his Air Force pilot's wings
in 1969 and served in the Republic of Vietnam as a special operations EC–47
pilot and later flew C–141 aircraft, and also served as a nuclear weapons
courier;
Whereas Kingston Smith was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross for heroism and bravery as an EC–47 pilot during the Vietnam War,
he flew an extremely hazardous mission through adverse weather conditions and
through constant hostile ground fire and attack. Due to his professional
competence, aerial skills and devotion to duty, the classified mission was a
success;
Whereas Kingston Smith is the recipient of numerous other
military awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with one Oak
Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster,
Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor
V device and one Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal,
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Overseas
Ribbon Short, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award,
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign
Ribbon;
Whereas Kingston Smith graduated from the University of
Richmond in 1977 with a Juris Doctor degree;
Whereas Kingston Smith served in the Air Force Reserve
until 1997 as a JAG officer, and on the Air Staff at the Pentagon, and
practiced law in Richmond, Virginia, with a firm specializing in civil
litigation;
Whereas Kingston Smith joined the staff of the General
Counsel Office of the Veterans Administration in 1980, and was a senior advisor
on veterans policy for the Bush presidential campaigns in 1988 and 1992, as
well as for the Dole presidential campaign in 1996;
Whereas Kingston Smith joined the staff of the House
Committee on Veterans' Affairs in 1984, was named Chief Counsel for the
Committee in 1985, and was appointed as the Republican Staff Director and Chief
Counsel by the Ranking Republican Member, the Honorable Steve Buyer in
2008;
Whereas Kingston Smith faithfully served five different
Committee leaders throughout his tenure including Congressman John Paul
Hammerschmidt, Gerry Solomon, Bob Stump, Chris Smith and Steve Buyer, as well
as countless other members who understand and strive to fulfill the obligations
our country owes to its veterans;
Whereas Kingston Smith was a key contributor in the
drafting of landmark pieces of legislation such as bills creating the
Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims, and improving the Service Members Civil Relief Act; and
Whereas over a multifaceted career of distinguished public
service dedicated to the preservation of the principles upon which our Nation
was founded, from his Air Force days in Vietnam to the halls of Congress, in
his every step, Kingston Smith has embodied excellence in service to country
and to his fellow citizens: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives—
(1)honors Kingston
Smith for his service of over 26 years on the occasion of his retirement from
the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs;
(2)commends Kingston
Smith for his dedication and commitment to serving his fellow veterans;
and
(3)recognizes the
tremendous dedication and fortitude with which Kingston Smith has led an
exemplary career in public service, having balanced his time in the Air Force
Reserve with the demanding duties of his roles as husband and father, with
consummate professionalism and boundless devotion to each throughout his
distinguished service to our Nation.