[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 74 (Thursday, May 23, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S3837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO COLONEL KEITH KLEMMER

 Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and 
congratulate Arkansas's native son, Col. Keith Klemmer, for attaining 
to the rank of Brigadier General. On June 1 of this year, Col. Klemmer 
will receive this well-deserved promotion to the rank of Brigadier 
General at a ceremony in Arkansas.
  Colonel Klemmer has served in a variety of positions in the 39th 
Infantry Brigade, 142nd Fires Brigade, and 87th Troop Command including 
Battery Commander, Battalion S3, Battalion XO, Battalion Commander, 
Brigade FSO, Brigade XO, and Brigade Commander. He is a veteran of both 
Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Colonel Klemmer 
entered Title 32 Active Guard/Reserve service as a full-time soldier in 
March 1994. His full-time assignments have included Battalion Training 
Officer, Battalion and Brigade Administrative Officer, Recruiting and 
Retention Executive Officer, Recruiting and Retention Manager, Deputy 
Property and Fiscal Officer for Arkansas, State Training Officer, and 
Chief of Staff for the Arkansas Army National Guard.
  Since October of 2011, Colonel Klemmer has served as the Chief of 
Staff for the Arkansas Joint Force Headquarters, where he is 
responsible for synchronizing efforts of unit readiness, force 
structure, and the sustainment of the National Guard for mobilization 
and domestic missions, a position which he has commanded with 
distinction.
  Colonel Klemmer is a graduate of Arkansas State University and 
received a master's degree from the United States Army War College in 
2007. He has received numerous awards and decorations for his service 
to our country, which include two Bronze Star Medals, the Meritorious 
Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, 
the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Arkansas 
Commendation Medal, and the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara. His career 
has been so impressive that he was inducted into the Arkansas 
Recruiting and Retention Hall of Fame in 2003.
  In addition to his excellent military career, Colonel Klemmer is also 
an assistant scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts, serves as a deacon at his 
church in Russellville, AK, and is often a featured speaker for 
numerous local Memorial Day and Veteran's Day events. He and his wife, 
Sandra, have raised two wonderful children, Rachel and Gunner. Rachel 
graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harding University in 2010 and served as 
an intern in my Washington, D.C. office, while Gunner is currently a 
Trustee Scholar at Harding University.
  Colonel Klemmer is a valued servant to the people of Arkansas and the 
United States of America. Our State and Nation have been fortunate to 
have Colonel Klemmer's 30 years of service, and I can only hope he can 
serve another 30 years. I thank him again for his dedication and 
commitment to keeping our Nation and State safe.

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