Durbin Introduces Lamont at Senate Armed Services Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced President Obama’s choice to be Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs within the Department of the Army, Tom Lamont, to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“The Army has soldiers deployed around the world. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan create tremendous strain on our soldiers and their families,” said Durbin. “The Army needs leaders like Tom Lamont right now. With years of experience in the Illinois Army National Guard, he has a strong understanding of the needs of the Army reserves. He will make sure the Army Guard and Reserve have the resources and capabilities they need to be part of an operational force.”
Lamont served as a colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard, Office of the Judge Advocate General. He retired after twenty-five years of service in 2007. He is also a longtime Springfield attorney and partner at Gordon & Glickson and Altheimer & Gray, and the Springfield firm of Brown, Hay & Stephens. He concentrated his practice in Government Law and Legislative Affairs. In the public arena, Lamont has served as Executive Director of the Office of the State Attorney Appellate Prosecutor, Director of Civil Litigation in the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and currently, as Special Counsel to the University of Illinois.
Lamont received his bachelor's degree from Illinois State University in 1969 and earned his law degree from the University of Illinois, College of Law in 1972. In 1990, Lamont was elected to the University of Illinois, Board of Trustees. He has served as a trustee of the State University Retirement System, a member of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and the U.S. Senate Judicial Nomination Commission.
Text of remarks as prepared:
May 12, 2009 – Senate Armed Services Committee
Confirmation Hearing of Tom Lamont to be
Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Department of the Army
Chairman Levin, Senator McCain, it is my honor to introduce Tom Lamont and support his confirmation as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
President Obama made the right choice when he nominated Tom for this position. Tom is a dedicated public servant who has spent a lifetime in public service.
He is also a good friend and neighbor. He and his wife, Bridget, have suffered their share of adversity. This weekend, Bridget’s father passed away from a heart attack he suffered last week, and as a result, Bridget is not able to attend this hearing.
But I know how proud she is of her husband’s service. Tom has 25 years of experience as a Judge Advocate General with the Illinois Army National Guard. He was the State Staff Judge Advocate General before retiring with the rank of colonel in 2007.
Tom’s public service goes well beyond his service in the Illinois Army National Guard.
In 1990, he was elected to the Board of Trustees at the University of Illinois.
He has also served in the highest capacities with:
• the Office of the State Attorney Appellate Prosecutor,
• Civil Litigation in the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, and
• the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
Tom has practiced law for years in Springfield, my hometown, where he has built his practice in government law and legislative affairs.
Most recently, Tom was Special Counsel to the University of Illinois.
If confirmed, this broad array of service and experience will serve him well. The Army needs leaders like Tom Lamont right now.
The Army has soldiers deployed around the world. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan create tremendous strain on our soldiers and their families.
Of the 178,000 troops serving today in Iraq and Afghanistan, roughly 138,600 are Army soldiers – including 2,700 members of the Illinois Army National Guard’s 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Many of these soldiers have served extended deployments, and often multiple deployments.
As the Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Tom will supervise the essential manpower and personnel issues facing the Army.
Tom will also be responsible for championing the Army’s reserve components.
With years of experience in the Illinois Army National Guard, he has a strong understanding of the needs of the Army Reserves.
He will make sure the Army Guard and Reserve have the resources and capabilities they need to be part of an operational force.
I strongly support Tom Lamont’s nomination, and I urge the committee to favorably report his nomination for full consideration by the Senate.
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