[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 134 (Wednesday, October 1, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S10303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       GEN. A.M. ``BUDDY'' STROUD

 Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, November 8th will be a significant 
and emotional day for the more than 13,000 members of the Louisiana 
National Guard. That day will mark the conclusion of the extraordinary 
and distinguished military career of their beloved adjutant general, 
Maj. Gen. Ansel ``Buddy'' Stroud.
  For 17 years, ``Buddy'' Stroud has provided strong and innovative 
leadership as Louisiana's top guardsman. In fact, anyone familiar with 
the Louisiana National Guard can attest that today's Louisiana National 
Guard is better trained, better equipped, and better prepared to defend 
our Nation than ever before. And much of that high degree of training 
and preparedness is due to the visionary and determined leadership that 
General Stroud has always provided.
  Under General Stroud's able command, the Louisiana National Guard has 
always enjoyed widespread popular support in my State and has often 
made the difference in times of crisis and natural disaster in our 
State. In 1992, when Hurricane Andrew pounded the South Louisiana coast 
and inflicted heavy damage on a number of communities from New Orleans 
to Lafayette, General Stroud and his men were on the scene almost 
immediately. I suspect that without his leadership--and without the 
dedicated, hardworking guardsmen under his command--Louisiana's 
recovery from Andrew would have been much more painful and prolonged.
  The Louisiana military personnel under General Stroud's command also 
distinguished themselves in another endeavor. During 1990-91, more than 
6,400 men and women were activated for duty in Desert Shield/Desert 
Storm in the Persian Gulf. In all, 2,000 Louisiana Guardsmen saw duty 
in the Persian Gulf war. Our Nation and the people of Kuwait owe these 
men and women--and thousands of other guardsmen from other states--our 
sincere gratitude for their service in this noble cause.
  Earlier this year, when the rapidly rising Mississippi River 
threatened to overwhelm our State penitentiary at Angola, General 
Stroud's guardsmen helped save the day by shoring up the levees. 
Because of the Guard's immediate response to this potential disaster, a 
costly evacuation of thousands of prisoners was averted.
  Under General Stroud's leadership, the Guard has not only been 
present in times of natural disaster. Buddy Stroud has given thousands 
of Louisiana high school dropouts a second chance by creating a 
bootcamp-style program that instills discipline and guides these former 
dropouts toward the achievement of their high school diploma. Another 
program created under General Stroud's leadership, the Louisiana 
National Guard's Youth Challenge Program, was recently honored as the 
best overall youth challenge program in the United States.
  Buddy Stroud was born on April 5, 1927 in Shreveport, LA. After his 
high school graduation, he attended college at Baylor and Texas A&M and 
graduated with his B.S. degree from the University of the State of New 
York. His long and distinguished military career began with his 
enlistment in the Army in 1944. Three years later, in 1947, he began a 
half century of service in the Louisiana National Guard, which 
culminated in 1981 with his promotion to the rank of major general.

  General Stroud served his Nation in a number of other capacities. He 
is former president of the National Guard Association of the United 
States and has served on that organization's executive council for the 
last 4 years. He has also served as president of the Adjutants General 
Association of the United States.
  Among General Stroud's professional achievements is a 1977 study 
which he directed for the Department of the Army on full-time training 
and administration for the Army Guard and the Army Reserve. The study, 
known as the Stroud Study, was accepted by the Army as a guideline for 
requirements of the National Guard and Army Reserve for full-time 
manning programs and was the basis for launching the AGR program. Most 
recently, General Stroud's unique contributions were recognized by the 
people of Louisiana when the State legislature directed that the 
Louisiana Military History and Weapons Museum should now bear his name.
  While he will no longer serve the Guard in a full-time capacity, I 
know that retirement will not diminish ``Buddy'' Stroud's dedication to 
the Louisiana National Guard. In fact, I am certain that, even in 
retirement, he will find a way to continue making a significant 
contribution.
  For many years, it has been my honor and privilege count ``Buddy'' 
Stroud as a friend. I could begin to count the number of times we 
worked together on behalf of the Louisiana National Guard, and because 
of our joint endeavors, I will always have fond memories of the 
important work that we did--together--for the Louisiana National Guard 
and the people of Louisiana. Most of all, however, I will always value 
Buddy's friendship.
  Mr. President, Buddy Stroud is a truly extraordinary American. I know 
I speak for all Louisianians and all Americans when I salute him for 
his more than half century of distinguished service to his country and 
his State and wish him only the best in his well-deserved 
retirement.

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