[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22248]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO THOMAS J. KENNEDY

 Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I rise to speak about an 
exceptional Kansan and good friend of mine who I thought deserved a 
special mention from the floor.
  BG Thomas J. Kennedy has served his country, State, and community 
with exemplary service for more than 70 years. General Kennedy began 
his military career in 1937 when he attended CMTC Camp at Fort 
Leavenworth. On September 26, 1939, he enlisted in Company B, 137th 
Infantry, 35th Infantry Division, Kansas Army National Guard at 
Emporia, KS. He was ordered to Active Duty on December 23, 1940, with 
the 60th Field Artillery Brigade, 35th Infantry Division and was 
commissioned a second lieutenant of the Field Artillery at Fort Sill, 
OK, on October 1, 1941. General Kennedy was promoted to captain in 
December 1942 and served in the European Theater of Operations. He was 
released from Active Duty in January of 1946 and assigned to the 
Officer's Reserve Corps. In October of 1946, he was promoted to major 
in the Kansas National Guard and rose steadily in rank to brigadier 
general. In May of 1968, General Kennedy returned to Active Duty during 
the Pueblo Crisis. In 1968, he became the commanding officer of the 
69th Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO, until 
his release from Active Duty on December 12, 1969. During his 
distinguished military career, General Kennedy received numerous awards 
and honors, including his 1974 induction into the Artillery OCS Hall of 
Fame located at Fort Sill. He has remained active in veterans' issues 
and fundraising for veterans memorials.
  From 1977 to 1984, Kennedy served as the director of Alcoholic 
Beverage Control for the Kansas Department of Revenue. He also served 
as president of the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators. 
His remarkable military and public service was recognized by Washburn 
University with its Distinguished Service Award.
  For more than 30 years, General Kennedy has been an active member in 
Topeka Fellowship and served as the program chair for the Kansas Prayer 
Breakfast. He worked diligently with Dr. Roy Browing, Vernon Jarboe, 
Clayton McMurray, and many volunteers to make this inspirational event, 
which promotes prayer for our national, State, and local leaders, 
possible. The dedication and volunteerism demonstrated by BG Tom 
Kennedy serves as an example for the generations to come.

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