During a recent government board meeting, Harry Kennedy presented his case for a pardon, seeking to clear his record of a 1993 conviction for the delivery of a controlled substance, specifically cocaine. Kennedy, who served two years of a five-year sentence, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to address the board and shared his journey of personal transformation since his release.

Kennedy recounted his time in prison, where he participated in Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) classes and took on various responsibilities, including working as a mechanic and driving for the prison's smokehouse. He emphasized the importance of reflection during his incarceration, acknowledging the disappointment he caused his family and the state of Wisconsin.

After his release, Kennedy transitioned to a career in trucking, eventually obtaining his Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and working for the same company for 28 years. He highlighted his commitment to community service, volunteering at Kingdom Builders Church in Racine, Wisconsin, where he has been involved in providing food to those in need since 2018.

As he approaches retirement, Kennedy expressed concern about the challenges he faces due to his diabetes and the difficulty of passing Department of Transportation (DOT) certifications. He articulated a desire to have his criminal record expunged to avoid the stigma of disclosing his past when seeking future employment.

The board engaged with Kennedy, with Judge Commerce inquiring about a prior incident in 1991 involving recklessly endangering safety, which was later amended to misdemeanors. Kennedy explained that he had been in the wrong company at the time, taking responsibility for his presence during the incident, and expressed regret for the impact it had on his military career.

Kennedy's appeal for a pardon underscores his commitment to leading a law-abiding life and his desire to move forward without the burden of his past mistakes. The board's decision on his request remains pending.