23 LC 112 1472
H. R. 407
- 1 -
House Resolution 407
By: Representatives Scott of the 76
th
, Davis of the 87
th
, and Gladney of the 130
th
A RESOLUTION
Commending Kathaleen Frances Harris for her service in the armed forces and recognizing
1
March 7, 2023, as Female Veteran's Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.2
WHEREAS, Colonel (Ret.) Kathaleen Frances Harris served our country for over 27 years3
in the United States Army and Army Reserve, culminating her career as a Senior Program4
Budget Officer for the Office of the Chief Army Reserve. She was an active Army Reserve5
Officer; and6
WHEREAS, Colonel Harris is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and the daughter of the late7
Ida Belle Covert and William Harris; she has three sisters and five brothers and attended8
Western High School, the University of Baltimore, and Central Michigan University; and9
WHEREAS, before entering the military, Colonel Harris worked as a cost accountant at10
Grief & Company and a trust accountant for Mercantile Trust Bank in Baltimore, Maryland;11
and12
WHEREAS, she started her military career in 1976 in her hometown of Baltimore, entering13
the Army Reserve as a finance and accounting specialist at the rank of Private First Class.14
She attended a special two-week basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama. After graduating15
from basic training, she was promoted to Specialist Five and served as a weekend warrior16 23 LC 112 1472
H. R. 407
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with the 2122d United States Army Garrison as an accounting specialist. Within two years,
17
she was promoted to Staff Sergeant and by the next year made the promotion list for Sergeant18
First Class in 1980; and19
WHEREAS, before pinning on her new rank, Staff Sergeant Harris received a direct20
commission to First Lieutenant in September 1980 and was assigned as a Disbursing Officer21
in the 2053d Reception Station in Baltimore. In 1982 she went on active duty and was22
assigned as a Program Budget Officer to the newly reactivated famous Patton's Third U.S.23
Army located at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia. While there, First Lieutenant Harris24
was promoted to Captain in 1984 and served there for five years before being assigned as the25
Executive Officer and the Chief of Military Pay of the 453d Finance Support Unit at Fort26
Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania; and27
WHEREAS, in 1989 Captain Harris was assigned to the 97th Army Reserve Command28
located at Fort Meade, Maryland, and served as Chief of the Reserve Pay section. In 199129
Captain Harris transferred to Fort McPherson, Georgia, and was promoted to Major. She was30
assigned as a Program Budget Officer for the Army Reserve Automation Systems Division.31
After a short stay there, she was transferred in 1991 to the new Army Reserve Command as32
a Force Structure Program Budget Officer. In 1995 Major Harris left Fort McPherson for an33
assignment at the Pentagon with the Comptroller's Office of the Office Chief Army Reserve34
(OCAR) as Chief, Execution Branch, Chief of RPA Branch and Operating Agency 23. There35
she was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. After serving for over four years at the Pentagon,36
she was assigned to a special mission to build the Army Reserve's first financial management37
system with TEKSOUTH Corporation in Birmingham, Alabama; and38
WHEREAS, after completing that mission in 2001, Lieutenant Colonel Harris was assigned39
to the Army Reserve Recruiting, Retention and Transition Division of the Office of the Chief40 23 LC 112 1472
H. R. 407
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Army Reserve, serving as the Chief of Operations and as Chief of Resource Management
41
Division. She was promoted to Colonel in 2003 and served as Senior Program Budget42
Officer for the Chief Army Reserve. Colonel Harris holds several awards and decorations,43
the highest being the Legion of Merit; and44
WHEREAS, she retired in September 2003 after serving close to 28 years. Colonel Harris45
is a lifetime member and former president of the National Association of Black Military46
Women. In June 2014 she retired again as Program Manager and Senior Engineer Planning47
Officer for Northrup Grumman Corporation and as a civilian contractor for the Department48
of the Army G 8, FDR Division; and49
WHEREAS, the selfless and heroic actions of Colonel Harris stand as a shining tribute to the50
strength of human spirit and willpower, and it is abundantly fitting and proper that the51
outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished American be recognized52
appropriately.53
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that54
the members of this body commend Kathaleen Frances Harris for her service to the United55
States armed forces, risking her life in the defense of freedom and to secure the blessings of56
liberty for this nation, and recognize March 7, 2023, as Female Veteran's Day at the state57
capitol.58
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized59
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to60
Kathaleen Frances Harris.61