IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1726 

Honoring the service and accomplishments of Kingston Smith, Republican 

Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the House Committee on Veterans’ 

Affairs. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 18, 2010 

Mr. BUYER (for himself and Mr. MILLER of Florida) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring the service and accomplishments of Kingston 

Smith, Republican Staff Director and Chief Counsel for 

the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. 

Whereas Kingston Smith graduated from Duke University in 

1968 with a bachelor’s degree in arts; 

Whereas Kingston Smith attended United States Air Force 

Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, San 

Antonio, Texas, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force on December 20, 

1968; 

Whereas Kingston Smith earned his Air Force pilot’s wings 

in 1969 and served in the Republic of Vietnam as a special operations EC–47 pilot and later flew C–141 aircraft, and also served as a nuclear weapons courier; 


jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
2 

HRES 1726 IH 

Whereas Kingston Smith was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and bravery as an EC–47 pilot 

during the Vietnam War, he flew an extremely hazardous 

mission through adverse weather conditions and through 

constant hostile ground fire and attack. Due to his professional competence, aerial skills and devotion to duty, 

the classified mission was a success; 

Whereas Kingston Smith is the recipient of numerous other 

military awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, 

Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Presidential 

Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 

valor ‘‘V’’ device and one Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, 

Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon 

Short, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Air Force Longevity 

Service Award, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam 

Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam 

Campaign Ribbon; 

Whereas Kingston Smith graduated from the University of 

Richmond in 1977 with a Juris Doctor degree; 

Whereas Kingston Smith served in the Air Force Reserve 

until 1997 as a JAG officer, and on the Air Staff at the 

Pentagon, and practiced law in Richmond, Virginia, with 

a firm specializing in civil litigation; 

Whereas Kingston Smith joined the staff of the General 

Counsel Office of the Veterans Administration in 1980, 

and was a senior advisor on veterans policy for the Bush 

presidential campaigns in 1988 and 1992, as well as for 

the Dole presidential campaign in 1996; 


jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
3 

HRES 1726 IH 

Whereas Kingston Smith joined the staff of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in 1984, was named Chief 

Counsel for the Committee in 1985, and was appointed 

as the Republican Staff Director and Chief Counsel by 

the Ranking Republican Member, the Honorable Steve 

Buyer in 2008; 

Whereas Kingston Smith faithfully served five different Committee leaders throughout his tenure including Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt, Gerry Solomon, Bob 

Stump, Chris Smith and Steve Buyer, as well as countless other members who understand and strive to fulfill 

the obligations our country owes to its veterans; 

Whereas Kingston Smith was a key contributor in the drafting of landmark pieces of legislation such as bills creating 

the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Court 

of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and improving the Service Members Civil Relief Act; and 

Whereas over a multifaceted career of distinguished public 

service dedicated to the preservation of the principles 

upon which our Nation was founded, from his Air Force 

days in Vietnam to the halls of Congress, in his every 

step, Kingston Smith has embodied excellence in service 

to country and to his fellow citizens: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) honors Kingston Smith for his service of 

3 over 26 years on the occasion of his retirement from 

4 the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs; 


jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
4 

HRES 1726 IH 

1 (2) commends Kingston Smith for his dedica2 tion and commitment to serving his fellow veterans; 

3 and 

4 (3) recognizes the tremendous dedication and 

5 fortitude with which Kingston Smith has led an ex6 emplary career in public service, having balanced his 

7 time in the Air Force Reserve with the demanding 

8 duties of his roles as husband and father, with con9 summate professionalism and boundless devotion to 

10 each throughout his distinguished service to our Na11 tion. 

Æ 


jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS