House Concurrent Resolution 28

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING SECRETARY THOMAS F. HALL ON HIS RECENT RETIREMENT AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR RESERVE AFFAIRS.

WHEREAS, stepping down after eight years of dedicated service, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Thomas F. Hall, is leaving our country's reserve forces prepared to protect our nation; and

WHEREAS, Secretary Thomas F. Hall, a native of Barnsdall, Oklahoma, was sworn in as the fourth Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs on October 9, 2002; and

WHEREAS, Secretary Hall attended Oklahoma State University for one year before entering the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and in 1963, he graduated from the Academy with a bachelor's degree in engineering and was named as one of the top 25 leaders in his class, having commanded both the top battalion and company; and

WHEREAS, while at the Academy, Secretary Hall was awarded the Brigade Intramural Sports Trophy, and in 1971, while at George Washington University, he received a master's degree in public personnel management; and

WHEREAS, Secretary Hall graduated with highest distinction from the Naval War College; with distinction from the National War College; from the National Security Course at Harvard University; and was selected as a Fellow and served on the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group; and

WHEREAS, a presidential appointee for the position of the fourth Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, he was confirmed by the Senate, Secretary Hall served as the principal staff assistant to the Secretary of Defense on all matters involving the 1.2 million members of the Reserve Components of the United States Armed Forces, where he was responsible for overall supervision of Reserve Component Affairs of the Department of Defense; and

WHEREAS, Secretary Hall is a retired two-star Rear Admiral having served the United States Navy, and is a distinguished and decorated Naval Aviator, who served a combat tour in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Secretary Hall has performed in numerous high-level staff, command, and NATO positions during his career, commanding Patrol Squadron EIGHT, Naval Air Station Bermuda, and the Iceland Defense Force, and his final military assignment was as the Commander/Director/Chief of Naval Reserves; and

WHEREAS, Secretary Hall's military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Air Medal, and various other personal and unit decorations; and

WHEREAS, Secretary Hall was awarded the Order of the Falcon, with Commander's Cross, by the President of Iceland in recognition of his accomplishments and service as Commander Iceland Defense Force in 2000, and he was given the International Partnership Award for his service to the United States and Iceland; and

WHEREAS, Secretary Hall has been inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame and in 2003, he was given the National Service Award for Leadership by the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation; in 2004, he was given the National Citizenship Award by the Military Chaplains Association of the United States; in 2005, he was given the Admiral Jackson Award by the Reserve Officers Association; and in 2006, Secretary Hall was inducted into the Reserve Officers Association's Minuteman Hall of Fame and awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service for his outstanding performance as the Chief Negotiator heading an interagency team involved in delicate bi-lateral discussions; and

WHEREAS, Secretary Hall has served on the boards of directors of numerous nonprofit organizations that are supporting the needs of our veterans and citizens in general; and

WHEREAS, prior to returning to government service, Secretary Hall served six years as the Executive Director of the Naval Reserve Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit veterans' organization that represents over 23,000 Naval Reserve officers, members and their families; and

WHEREAS, Secretary Hall is married to the former Barbara Norman of Jacksonville, Florida, and they have one son, Thomas David Hall; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend citizens, who demonstrate a commitment to their community, such as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Thomas F. Hall:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Secretary Thomas F. Hall on the occasion of his retirement and express best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Secretary Thomas F. Hall and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.