[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 26, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S2836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN APPRECIATION OF MAJOR GENERAL PHILIP G. KILLEY

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to express my 
profound appreciation for the work MG Philip G. Killey has provided as 
the adjutant general for the South Dakota National Guard. General 
Killey has announced that he will be retiring after 40 years of 
service, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for the 
extraordinary work he has done for this country and for the South 
Dakota National Guard.
  General Killey reports that South Dakota has continued its high 
rankings in terms of readiness of its National Guard units. South 
Dakota's units also excel in the quality of its new recruits. I commend 
the South Dakota National Guard for its continued excellence, and 
General Killey for his leadership, which has led to the maintenance of 
this high standard. National rankings only confirm the quality that has 
come to be expected of the National Guard of a great State.
  Most South Dakotans know at least 1 of the 4,500 current members of 
the South Dakota National Guard or the thousands of former guardsmen. 
Sometimes, the connection is even more direct. My oldest son Brooks was 
a proud member of the South Dakota Army National Guard in Yankton prior 
to his active duty service with the U.S. Army.
  Every community in my State benefits from the work of these 
guardsmen. Following the tradegies of September 11, guardsmen were 
called to assist in the campaign against terrorism and performed 
security duties at airports around the State. From Aberdeen to Yankton, 
the Guard is a key member of the South Dakota community.
  In addition to the support the National Guard provides to South 
Dakota, it has also supported overseas operations including those in 
Central America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Units around the 
State have been activated this year, deploying to military bases across 
our country and around the world.
  These latest activities, and the professionalism that our South 
Dakota National Guardsmen have shown, are a testimony to the leadership 
of General Killey. Before becoming the adjutant general in 1998, 
General Killey served with distinction in both the active duty and in 
the South Dakota National Guard.
  General Killey received his commission in 1963 through Officer 
Training School, at Lackland AFB in Texas. He served a tour in 
Southeast Asia in 1967-1968 flying the F-4 with the 8th Tactical 
Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. He left 
active duty in 1969 and joined the Air National Guard in 1970. He held 
various positions with the South Dakota Air National Guard before 
becoming the adjutant general. He was recalled to active duty as 
director of the Air National Guard from 1988 until 1994. General Killey 
was the first guardsman to serve as commander, 1st Air Force, Air 
Combat Command, and Continental United States North American Aerospace 
Defense Command Region, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, from 1994 
until 1998.
  I enthusiastically commend General Killey for his many years of 
service, and thank him for all that he has done for this Nation and for 
our great State of South Dakota. I wish him and his wife Ellen all the 
very best as they move on to new challenges and opportunities.

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