[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING RALPH KEMP FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HARRY TEAGUE

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 2010

  Mr. TEAGUE. Madam Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize 
a patriotic American who has given much of himself in securing the 
future of this country. Mr. Ralph Kemp is a veteran of the Marine Corps 
and the Vietnam War. Mr. Kemp also served as a retired Albuquerque 
Police Department Lieutenant in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico 
a few years after his military service. Some years ago, after some arm 
twisting he was taken on a trip to attend the American Legion New 
Mexico Boys' State. After that year there was no more arm twisting 
involved.
  This year's American Legion New Mexico Boys' State session being held 
at the Campus of Eastern New Mexico University will mark Ralph Kemps' 
30th consecutive session of attendance.
  Ralph has held many positions thoughout the American Legion New 
Mexico Boys' State organization which has taught thousands of New 
Mexico High School Seniors the rights and responsibilities of being 
citizens of this great country of ours. Numerous members of our society 
have attended an American Legion Boys State or an American Legion 
Auxiliary Girls' State Session held annual on campus across this 
nation.
  The program's alumni has held positions as CEO's, Artists, Athletes, 
Newscasters, Justices on the Supreme Court, both chambers of the House 
and Senate and even held the Position of President of the United 
States. It is organizations such as the American Legion and the 
American Legion Auxiliary, who after wearing the uniform of our 
country, return home and continue to selflessly serve the communities 
of which they belong such as Ralph Kemp.
  Ralph Kemp currently serves as the Executive Director of the American 
Legion New Mexico Boys' State program. Besides the dedicated week Ralph 
gives to the Boys' State program he has also served on the American 
Legion Boys Nation Staff for the past 15 years.
  This is a week-and-a-half-long program where two boys from each state 
are selected to come to the Nation's Capitol to learn about government 
at the federal level. If two and half weeks of volunteer time working 
with this nation's youth is not enough, Ralph Kemp volunteers and 
additional week of his summer serving as the Director of the American 
Legions Junior Shooters programs annual competition. Ralph Kemp is to 
be commended for his dedication of many years of service to the youth 
of the nation at American Legion New Mexico Boys State and American 
Legion Programs. I thank him for his service and am very proud to have 
him recognized in the House of Representatives.

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