Kenneth W. Birdsong
Kenneth W. Birdsong, one of Georgia’s longest serving and most distinguished state legislators, was sworn in as a member of the State Veterans Service Board by Governor Sonny Perdue on January 10, 2005. He currently serves as Board Secretary.
Birdsong’s appointment to the Veterans Service Board followed his retirement from government after 28 years of continuous service in the State House. The long-time member of the General Assembly represented Georgians from Bibb (Pt.), Jones (Pt.), Twiggs, and Wilkinson counties.
While a member of Georgia’s General Assembly, Birdsong served as chairman of the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee for over a decade. He was also a member of the Rules Committee and senior ranking member of the House Transportation Committee.
Birdsong keyed sponsorship of many bills affecting Georgians serving in the National Guard and military reserves, most notably exemption from state income tax on earned military pay while activated and deployed to combat zones.
Birdsong was also instrumental in law that authorized the construction of the first state veteran's cemetery and funding for a 22 bed Alzheimer's wing at the Georgia War Veterans Home, both facilities located near Milledgeville.
Before his election to the State House in 1976, the Twiggs County native and resident was active in local county government, serving as Justice of the Peace (1951-1960) and County Commissioner (1961-1976).
Birdsong, a veteran of World War II and Korea, served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947. Upon discharge, he enlisted in the Army Reserves serving on active duty in 1949 and 1950 with the 340th Engineer Construction Battalion. He was discharged from reserve status in 1953.
Birdsong is a very active member of both Gordon and Gray communities, involved in both the local VFW and American Legion posts, Exchange Club of Macon and is a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason.
He and his wife, Elaine, currently reside in Gordon. Together, they have nine children and 23 grandchildren.
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