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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1726 Introduced in House (IH)]

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;
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;
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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors Kingston Smith for his service of over 26 years 
        on the occasion of his retirement from the House Committee on 
        Veterans' Affairs;
            (2) commends Kingston Smith for his dedication and 
        commitment to serving his fellow veterans; and
            (3) recognizes the tremendous dedication and fortitude with 
        which Kingston Smith has led an exemplary career in public 
        service, having balanced his time in the Air Force Reserve with 
        the demanding duties of his roles as husband and father, with 
        consummate professionalism and boundless devotion to each 
        throughout his distinguished service to our Nation.
                                 <all>
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