2014 -- H 7899

========

LC005095

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING BRIGADIER GENERAL, RETIRED, RICHARD F. KEENE ON HIS

RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES ARMY AFTER MANY YEARS OF

DISTINGUISHED AND DEVOTED SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND THE CITIZENS OF

RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Newberry, and Mattiello

     Date Introduced: March 06, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Brigadier General, Retired, Richard F. Keene was commissioned as a

United States Military Officer in 1985 through the State Officer Candidate School at the 243rd

Regional Training Institute, at Camp Varnum in Rhode Island. Prior to receiving his commission,

he served an active duty enlistment in the United States Navy as a Petty Officer heavy equipment

operator, as well as serving in the Rhode Island Army National Guard as a Non-Commissioned

Officer Special Forces Radio Operator; and

     WHEREAS, Brigadier General, Retired, Keene’s most recent assignment was in service

as the Assistant Vice-Commander of the United States Special Operations Command. His

primary responsibility was to represent the United States Special Operations Command and the

Component Commands to the Joint Staff, Service Staffs, Office of the Secretary of Defense and

other governmental agencies. He consistently provided vital information, coordination, research

analysis and advice in an accurate and timely fashion, as well as unique special forces expertise in

the critical areas of plans, policy, programs, resources and current operations; and

     WHEREAS, General Keene also served a prior assignment as a General Officer and Flag

Officer interacting with senior leadership and civilian leadership in the Pentagon as well as other

governmental agencies, and the private sector; and

     WHEREAS, General Keene deployed several times in service to our nation including

serving as the first Director of Operations for the Joint Special Operations Task Force Horn of

Africa. He subsequently served as the Special Forces Liaison Element to Nairobi, Kenya, on

behalf of the Joint Special Operations Task Force Horn of Africa, and then as Operations Officer

within the Future Operations Division of the United States Special Operations Command. Finally,

he served as the Deputy Commander for Inter-Agency Coordination for Special Operations

Command South, and as Commander, Special Operations Command-Forward in Bogota,

Colombia, where the United States Special Operations Forces provided Security Forces

Assistance to Colombian Special Operations Forces and provided vital leadership in assisting the

Minister of Defense and Chief of Defense on the creation of a Colombian Special Operations

Command; and

     WHEREAS, General Keene has been awarded numerous honors during his distinguished

military career including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Defense

Meritorious Service Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal

with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation

Medal with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf

Cluster, and the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with One Silver Oak Leaf

Cluster, and two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. He has also earned the Master Parachutist Badge and

the Special Forces Tab; and

     WHEREAS, General Keene has excelled in two prior civilian careers. He served on the

Primrose Volunteer Fire Department in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, retiring after serving

fifteen years as Fire Chief. During this period he also served as President of the Rhode Island

Association of Fire Chiefs. He later went on to work for AMICA Mutual Insurance Company,

initially as a homeowner and personal injury claims adjuster and eventually serving as a Senior

Claims Supervisor. He is also the founder of the consulting company Quanta Global Associates,

LLC ; and

     WHEREAS, General Keene earned an Associate’s degree in Fire Science from Rhode

Island Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Safety from Providence College,

and an Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. He

supports several charities including Give to the World, the Gold Star Teen Adventure Program,

and the North Smithfield High School Class of 1971 Scholarship Fund. He is married to Debbie

Keene and they have a son, a daughter and two grandchildren; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Brigadier General, Retired, Richard F. Keene on his

retirement from the United States Army after many years of distinguished and devoted service to

our nation and the citizens of Rhode Island; and be it further

LC005095 - Page 2 of 3

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Brigadier General, Retired, Richard F. Keene.

========

LC005095

========

LC005095 - Page 3 of 3