[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 69 (Wednesday, May 18, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S3101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL STEPHEN R. HOGAN

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I rise today to congratulate a friend 
of mine who is a valued servant to the people of Kentucky, BG Stephen 
R. Hogan. On March 12 of this year, the former colonel had his 
promotion ceremony to the rank of brigadier general. This promotion to 
general is a very special accomplishment, as very few career officers 
in our Armed Forces ever reach the general rank.
  This promotion is well deserved for all that Brigadier General Hogan 
has done for his country. Serving as the assistant adjutant general for 
the Kentucky Army National Guard, he is responsible to the adjutant 
general for balancing the requirements of readiness, modernization, 
force structure, and sustainment of the National Guard for mobilization 
and domestic missions.
  Brigadier General Hogan's significant duty assignments include tours 
with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY; the 
6th Infantry Division Light, Fort Richardson, AK; the Army Operations 
Center, the Pentagon; and with the Multi-National Corps Iraq based in 
Baghdad, Iraq. When not serving on Federal active duty, he has served 
in the Kentucky Army National Guard as an active-duty guardsman with 
the State's Counter-Drug Unit, and $11 billion worth of illegal 
marijuana has been eradicated during his service.
  Brigadier General Hogan's awards, medals and decorations include the 
Meritorious Service Medal, with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; the 
Army Commendation Medal, with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; the Army 
Reserve Components Achievement Medal, with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster; 
the National Defense Service Medal; with one Bronze Service Star; the 
Iraq Campaign Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the 
Armed Forces Reserve Medal, with ``M'' Device and Silver Hourglass; the 
Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon; the Master 
Parachutist Badge; the Pathfinder Badge; the Air Assault Badge; the 
Kentucky Merit Ribbon; the Kentucky Service Ribbon, with three Oak Leaf 
Clusters; and the Kentucky Counter Drug Ribbon.
  Despite all this accomplishment, at his promotion ceremony, Brigadier 
General Hogan said, ``All I ever wanted to do in life is be a 
professional soldier.'' Well, we in Kentucky are certainly glad he got 
his wish. I want to congratulate him on his promotion, and I know my 
colleagues in the U.S. Senate will join me in honoring his service and 
his sacrifice for our country.
  An article extolling the virtues of Brigadier General Stephen R. 
Hogan appeared recently in the Marion Star. I ask unanimous consent 
that the article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                 [From the Marion Star, April 18, 2011]

Conner High Grad Named Brig. General--Stephen Hogan served at Pentagon, 
                               in Baghdad

                         (By Stephanie Salmons)

       Frankfort.--Conner High School graduate Stephen Hogan, of 
     Frankfort, has been promoted to the rank of brigadier 
     general.
       A 1981 Conner graduate, Hogan is the son of Paul and 
     Marilyn Hogan of Burlington. He is a 1985 graduate of 
     Morehead State University and a 2008 graduate of the U.S. 
     Army War College.
       Hogan received his commission from the Morehead ROTC in 
     1985 and since 1993 has worked with the Kentucky Army 
     National Guard as an active-duty Guardsman with the state's 
     Counter-Drug Unit, where Paul Hogan says his son works for a 
     marijuana eradication program.
       His assignments have included tours with the 101st Airborne 
     Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY.; 6th Infantry 
     Division Light, Fort Richardson, Alaska; The Army Operations 
     Center, Pentagon; and Multi-National Corps Iraq, Baghdad, 
     Iraq.
       Hogan has also received numerous awards during his time in 
     the military.
       The Hogans said they're proud of their son.
       ``It's something you don't comprehend--when someone goes 
     that far,'' Paul Hogan said.
       Stephen Hogan has always had an interest in the military 
     and has finally obtained his goal, Paul Hogan said.
       ``We're very pleased and proud of him. He's worked very 
     hard,'' Marilyn Hogan said.

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