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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 100
BY SENATOR ADLEY
CONDOLENCES. Extends condolences upon the death of U.S. Navy SEAL (Ret.) Mark
Daniel Kennedy.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana to the2
family of U.S. Navy Seal (Ret.) Mark Daniel Kennedy upon his death while serving3
as a maritime security professional, fighting piracy off the coast of East Africa.4
WHEREAS, Mark Kennedy was a native of Baton Rouge and a 1988 graduate of5
Central High School where he distinguished himself as an exceptional athlete and a standout6
on the varsity football team; and7
WHEREAS, Mark would continue his education, receiving his degree from8
Campbell University in 2009; and9
WHEREAS, Mark's experience in sports would later serve him well when he enlisted10
in the U.S. Navy in 1995, with a goal to serve his country as a member of the elite U.S. Navy11
SEALS; and12
WHEREAS, Mark employed his athletic prowess into his quest to become one of13
America's toughest warriors, and used his team experiences in sports to emerge as a leader14
among his peers, and he successfully completed the Navy's Basic Underwater Demolition15
School, Class 209, in February 1997, earning the prized Navy Seal Trident Badge; and16
WHEREAS, in 1998, Chief Petty Officer Mark Kennedy successfully completed the17
Navy Special Operations Combat Medic Course, further specializing in his job as a Navy18 SR NO. 100
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SEAL Combat Medic; and1
WHEREAS, during Chief Kennedy's highly distinguished career, he would be2
assigned to SEAL Team 8, then SEAL Team 2, and finally to the Naval Special Operations3
Medical Institute; and4
WHEREAS, Chief Kennedy would deploy on multiple combat tours in support of5
Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and many classified missions in6
other hot spots around the world whenever his country called; and7
WHEREAS, Chief Kennedy would earn many awards and decorations for his faithful8
and brave service for his country, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and9
Marine Corps Commendation Medal with V device for valor, and the Combat Action10
Ribbon; and11
WHEREAS, in 2010, Chief Kennedy would retire from active duty in the U.S. Navy12
and return home to Louisiana, and seeking to continue to serve his country using his skills13
and knowledge as a warrior, he sought and was given a job in security by Trident Group, a14
firm owned by former Navy SEALS, that provides maritime industry security support; and15
WHEREAS, Mark Kennedy was forty-four years old when he died unexpectedly16
during the night of February 18, 2014, guarding the vessel, Maersk Alabama that was17
transporting food aid to East Africa in support of the U.S. government's "Food for Peace"18
program; and19
WHEREAS, his death has left a terrible and empty void in the lives of those he20
loved, including his wife Julia, son Mason, mother and father Nanda and Dannie Kennedy,21
and his brother Greg Kennedy. 22
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana23
does hereby express its deepest and most profound condolences to the family, friends and24
military comrades of Mark who now feel the pain of his loss and yet also feel great pride in25
having known such a great warrior.26
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Mark27
Kennedy's wife, Julia, and his parents, Nanda and Dannie Kennedy.28 SR NO. 100
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Heyward Jeffers.
DIGEST
Adley SR No. 100
Expresses condolences upon the death of U.S. Navy SEAL (Ret.) Mark Daniel Kennedy.