[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 9, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3038-S3039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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               TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL KENNY C. MONTOYA

 Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate MG 
Kenny C. Montoya on the occasion of his retirement as Adjutant General 
of the New Mexico National Guard, and to thank him for his 30 years of 
outstanding service to our Nation. General Montoya has served our 
country well, both as a soldier and as a civilian, and New Mexico and 
our Nation are grateful for his efforts and service.
  General Montoya began his distinguished career as an enlisted member 
of Battery A, 4th Battalion, 200th Air Defense Artillery in Raton, NM. 
He completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in 1983. 
During his 9 years as Adjutant General of the New Mexico National 
Guard, General Montoya helped train over 9,000 National Guard men and 
women.
  I also want to thank General Montoya for working so well with my 
staff and me to effectively support the critical missions of the 
National Guard, our servicemembers, and their families. The New Mexico 
National Guard has been instrumental in protecting our country and its 
interests. Under General Montoya's leadership, the New Mexico National 
Guard has maintained the lowest casualty rate of any State during the 
conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan with one combat casualty out of 9,000 
deployments.

[[Page S3039]]

  General Montoya has also been a tireless advocate for the National 
Guard Counterdrug Program, which provides critical assistance in 
securing the border and disrupting drug trafficking activities. The New 
Mexico National Guard has also proved to be a successful partner in 
natural disaster response, including numerous wildfires and the extreme 
cold experienced by parts of the State last year. New Mexico has a long 
and proud history of military service, and we are honored to have many 
living testaments to American bravery in our State.
  Knowing his dedication to public service, I am sure General Montoya 
will continue to play an important role in contributing to our country 
for years to come. Mr. President, please accept my best wishes for 
General Montoya and his family as he begins the next chapter in his 
life. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

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