[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 124 (Thursday, July 9, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                               ZAC KERNS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 9, 2020

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize 
Zac Kerns upon his promotion from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel in the 
United States Army. Zac is a peerless example for hard work, dedication 
and excellence not only for the United States Military, but also to his 
home town of St. Joseph, Missouri.
  After graduating from Missouri Western State University and being 
commissioned as an officer through their ROTC program, Zac was selected 
for the demanding Special Forces Qualification Course. This led to a 
sixteen year career as a Green Beret. During that time, he led an 
element of Special Operations forces from four NATO nations. Zac then 
spent three years as Deputy Chief of Special Operations for the Middle 
East Operation Command Central. When Zac returned to the states, he did 
so as an instructor at the Command and General Staff College, where he 
began passing his real world knowledge to the next generation of 
officers. Since 2018, Zac has commanded the Assessment Squadron of the 
Asymmetric Warfare Group where in addition to training future experts 
in asymmetric warfare, also advised the army on establishing the 
Battalion and Brigade Commanders Assessment Program. Currently, Zac is 
a Fellow at the School for Advanced Military Studies at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kansas. During his career, Zac has also earned three 
Bronze Stars, five Meritorious Service Medals, the Special Forces and 
Ranger Tabs, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, 
Senior Parachutist and Air Assault Badge.
  Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Zac Kerns 
for his promotion to Colonel in the United States Army. I would also 
like to recognize Colonel Kern's family for a moment. His lovely wife, 
Rosemary, and sons, Kaiden, Kale and Liam, for their support of Zac as 
he's served the United States of America. I want to thank Zac and his 
family, on behalf of the Sixth Congressional District, the State of 
Missouri and the United States of America for their ongoing service to 
each of us. I am proud to represent them in the United States Congress.

                          ____________________