[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO COUNCILMAN GARY M. KELLY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2006

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Councilman Gary M. 
Kelly, an American hero--a soldier, a leader, a father, a husband, and 
city councilman in the City of Cibolo, who recently passed away on 
October 15th, 2006. Councilman Kelly was recently named Mayor pro tem 
by the City of Cibolo before his death in honor of his lifetime 
commitment to the city and to the community.
  Gary M. Kelly was born on October 1st, 1948, in the City of Utica in 
the State of New York to his parents, Raymond and Arlene Kelly. He 
graduated from high school in Whitesboro, New York, and then attended 
the Syracuse University College of Forestry in 1970 with a Bachelor of 
Science. He earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from 
the University of Alaska in Fairbanks in 1975. Shortly after graduate 
school, Gary joined the Squadron Officer School in 1976, thus beginning 
nearly thirty years of service in the United States Air Force.
  Councilman Kelly served his country with great honor in the United 
States Air Force and received numerous military awards and accolades 
such as the Legion of Merit, Joint Service Commendation Medal, National 
Defense Service Medal, to name just a few. He also rose quickly within 
the military ranks from Second Lieutenant to Colonel. His military 
career was focused on program management and logistics support of 
weapon systems for the United States Air Force at Kelly Air Force Base. 
It was just not his country he served with great passion, it was the 
City of Cibolo in the State of Texas as City Councilman. He was sworn 
into office on May 25th, 2005, and made numerous accomplishments such 
as writing the charter for the City, overseeing the creation of two 
fiscal budgets, establishing the Streets and Drainage Committee, the 
Public Safety Committee, and the Business Development Committee. He 
worked as the liaison to the Capital Improvements Committee, and 
Planning and Zoning Commission. He also was known for being a great 
mentor to new members of the City Council and to commission chairs.
  He is survived by his wife, Patricia C. Kelly, his two sons, Allen 
Dearborn and Scott Kelly, his mother, Arlene, his two sisters and their 
spouses, Cindy and Gregory Hobbs, Karen and Raymond Jankowski, his 
brother, Chris Kelly and his wife, Kathleen, and numerous aunts, 
uncles, nieces and nephews, and friends of the family. He truly led by 
example and inspired his children to be the best they could be in 
achieving their dreams and goals. He will be missed by us all and 
especially by the City of Cibolo in the State of Texas.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize 
Councilman Gary M. Kelly.

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