SR654: SR654 Carden, Lieutenant General Thomas M.; recognize

26 LC 129 0835 Senate Resolution 654 By: Senators Sims of the 12th, Summers of the 13th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Watson of the 11th and Hufstetler of the 52nd A RESOLUTION Recognizing and congratulating Lieutenant General Thomas M. Car den; and for other1 purposes.2 WHEREAS, Lieutenant General Thomas M. Carden is a distinguished son of Georgia and3 a proud constituent of Senate District 12 whose life of service exemplifies courage,4 leadership, and unwavering dedication to the United States of America; and5 WHEREAS, commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 1989, he has devoted more6 than three decades to the defense of this nation, rising through the ranks by merit, integrity,7 and steadfast commitment to the soldiers and citizens he has served; and8 WHEREAS, throughout his career in the Georgia Army National Gua rd and the United9 States Army, Lieutenant General Carden has held many leadership positions including10 command at the company, battalion, brigade, and state levels; key operational and staff roles11 both domestically and abroad; deployment in support of Operatio n Iraqi Freedom in12 Baghdad, Iraq, and Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia; and service as Deputy Commander of13 the NATO Multinational Division Southeast in Bucharest, Romania; and14 S. R. 654 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0835 WHEREAS, from 2019 to 2024, Lieutenant General Carden served as The Adjutant General15 of Georgia, where he oversaw the Georgia National Guard's respo nse to domestic16 emergencies, natural disasters, and global missions, while ensuring the readiness and welfare17 of Georgia's citizen soldiers and airmen; and18 WHEREAS, in May 2024, he was selected to serve as Deputy Commander of United States19 Northern Command at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, where he played a vital role in20 anticipating and responding to threats to North America and overseeing defense support to21 civil authorities; and 22 WHEREAS, in January 2026, the United States Senate confirmed Lieutenant General Carden23 as the 12th Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau, a historic appointment that elevated24 him to the rank of four-star general, the first officer ever to hold that rank in the position and25 marking the first time the National Guard has had two four-star generals simultaneously; and26 WHEREAS, only those with great strength, discipline, and a firm resolve achieve positions27 of such status, and Lieutenant General Carden has brought great credit to himself, his family,28 this state, and this nation through his outstanding performance and dedication; and29 WHEREAS, his selfless and heroic actions stand as a shining tribute to the strength of human30 spirit and willpower, and it is abundantly fitting and proper t hat the outstanding31 accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized. 32 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body33 recognize Lieutenant General Thomas M. Carden, congratulate him upon his promotion, and34 extend sincere best wishes for continued health, happiness, and success.35 S. R. 654 - 2 - 26 LC 129 0835 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed36 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to Lieutenant37 General Thomas M. Carden.38 S. R. 654 - 3 -