Joe Kennedy (Georgia State Senator)
Encyclopedia
Joseph Everett "Joe" Kennedy (October 8, 1930 – June 19, 1997) was a Georgia
State Senator born in Claxton, Georgia
, United States
.
in 1947. After graduation he attended Georgia Military College
where he graduated in 1949. Following his time at GMC, Kennedy became a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army
. He was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal
, United Nations Medal
, Bronze Star
, and two Battle Stars
.
On December 25, 1953, Joseph Kennedy married Mrs. Lalah Kennedy of Tattnall County. Kennedy would later be heavily influenced by his father-in-law, the Honorable J. Cliff Kennedy, who was involved in the government of the State of Georgia. Kennedy became very involved in his community. He was a member of the Claxton Jaycees and the Democratic Party
. He was a Shriner of the Alee Temple Lodge of Savannah
and the Director of the Tippins Bank and Trust Company of Claxton as well as the Director of the Evans County Chamber of Commerce.
, he was Chairman of the Senate Offender Rehabilitation Committee for 12 years and was appointed to the Criminal Justice Improvement Council in 1981. He was a member of the Appropriations Committee, serving on the Continuation Subcommittee and the Conference Committee on Appropriations; the senator was also a part of the Agricultural Committee. Senator Kennedy attained his highest rank in the senate during the Governorship of Joe Frank Harris
when he served as President Pro Tempore
of the Senate from 1983 to 1991. He was given the job of executive assistant to the commissioner of the Department of Corrections in 1991; from 1991 to 1994 he directed an inmate labor program which put inmates to work on public building projects.
During his life, both prior to and during his service as a senator, Kennedy received many awards. He was the Jaycees' Young Man of the Year (1962); was given the Legislative Award from the Georgia Municipal Association (1985). He was the Legislator of the Year from the Georgia Recreation and Parks Society and the Georgia Association of Retarded Citizens (1983). The Hospital Corporation of America
and the Georgia Rehabilitation Association, among many other organizations, recognized him for his hard work during his tenure as senator. Senator Joe Kennedy was instrumental in helping to create Ogeechee Technical College
.
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
State Senator born in Claxton, Georgia
Claxton, Georgia
Claxton is a city in Evans County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,276 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Evans County.-History:...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Personal life
Kennedy attended Claxton schools and graduated from Claxton High SchoolClaxton High School
Claxton High School is a public high school located in Claxton, Georgia, United States. It is a part of the Evans County School District. The current principal is Justin RussellBetween 1975 and 1979, students at the school under the direction of B. G...
in 1947. After graduation he attended Georgia Military College
Georgia Military College
Georgia Military College is a United States Military Junior College, high school, and middle school in Milledgeville, Georgia. GMC is one of five military junior colleges that participates in the Army's Early Commissioning Program. Cadets who graduate from GMC's two-year, military science-oriented...
where he graduated in 1949. Following his time at GMC, Kennedy became a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
The Korean Service Medal is an award of the United States military and was created in November 1950 by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary United States medal for participation in the Korean War and is awarded to any U.S. service member, who...
, United Nations Medal
United Nations Medal
The term United Nations Medal refers to one of several international decorations which are issued by the United Nations to the various militaries of the world for participation in joint international military and police operations such as peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, and disaster relief...
, Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, and two Battle Stars
Service star
A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service...
.
On December 25, 1953, Joseph Kennedy married Mrs. Lalah Kennedy of Tattnall County. Kennedy would later be heavily influenced by his father-in-law, the Honorable J. Cliff Kennedy, who was involved in the government of the State of Georgia. Kennedy became very involved in his community. He was a member of the Claxton Jaycees and the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. He was a Shriner of the Alee Temple Lodge of Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
and the Director of the Tippins Bank and Trust Company of Claxton as well as the Director of the Evans County Chamber of Commerce.
Georgia Senator
In 1966 Joe Kennedy was elected to the Senate's Fourth District, where he served for twenty-four years. During his time in the SenateGeorgia Senate
The Georgia State Senate is the upper house of the Georgia General Assembly .-Composition:According to the state constitution of 1983, this body is to be composed of no more than 56 members elected for two-year terms. Current state law provides for 56 members...
, he was Chairman of the Senate Offender Rehabilitation Committee for 12 years and was appointed to the Criminal Justice Improvement Council in 1981. He was a member of the Appropriations Committee, serving on the Continuation Subcommittee and the Conference Committee on Appropriations; the senator was also a part of the Agricultural Committee. Senator Kennedy attained his highest rank in the senate during the Governorship of Joe Frank Harris
Joe Frank Harris
Joe Frank Harris is an American conservative Democratic politician who served as the 78th Governor of the U.S. state of Georgia from 1983 to 1991....
when he served as President Pro Tempore
Georgia Senate
The Georgia State Senate is the upper house of the Georgia General Assembly .-Composition:According to the state constitution of 1983, this body is to be composed of no more than 56 members elected for two-year terms. Current state law provides for 56 members...
of the Senate from 1983 to 1991. He was given the job of executive assistant to the commissioner of the Department of Corrections in 1991; from 1991 to 1994 he directed an inmate labor program which put inmates to work on public building projects.
During his life, both prior to and during his service as a senator, Kennedy received many awards. He was the Jaycees' Young Man of the Year (1962); was given the Legislative Award from the Georgia Municipal Association (1985). He was the Legislator of the Year from the Georgia Recreation and Parks Society and the Georgia Association of Retarded Citizens (1983). The Hospital Corporation of America
Hospital Corporation of America
Hospital Corporation of America is the largest private operator of health care facilities in the world, It is based in Nashville, Tennessee and is widely considered to be the single largest factor in making that city a hotspot for healthcare enterprise.-History:The founders of HCA include Jack C....
and the Georgia Rehabilitation Association, among many other organizations, recognized him for his hard work during his tenure as senator. Senator Joe Kennedy was instrumental in helping to create Ogeechee Technical College
Ogeechee Technical College
Ogeechee Technical College is a two-year postsecondary institution governed by the Technical College System of Georgia . OTC serves Bulloch, Evans, Screven and surrounding counties...
.
See also
- List of people from Georgia (U.S. state)
- List of Korean War veterans who are recipients of the Bronze Star