[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 149 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11434-S11443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MAJ. GEN. ANSEL M. STROUD, JR.--AMERICAN HERO

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
Louisiana's own true American heroes, Major General Ansel M. Stroud, 
Jr., Adjutant General for the State of Louisiana.
  A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, General Stroud began his 
distinguished career in April of 1944, when he enlisted in the United 
States Army and was commissioned a second lieutenant following 
completion of Officer Candidate School in 1946. After serving active 
duty, he joined the Louisiana National Guard in June of 1947. During 
his service with the National Guard, he has served as a reconnaissance 
officer, company commander, regimental supply officer, aide to the 
commanding general of the 39th Infantry Division, and battalion 
commander. In 1968, he was assigned as Chief of Staff for the State 
Emergency Operations Center, and became commander of the 356th Support 
Center (RAO) in 1971. He was appointed to the position of Assistant 
Adjutant General on May 9, 1972, and in August 1978 accepted a dual 
assignment as the commander of the 256th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized). 
In October 1980, General Stroud accepted his current position of 
Adjutant General for Louisiana.
  When reminiscing about General Stroud's career, one could easily 
point to his many military decoration and awards: most notably included 
are the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two Oak 
Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, 
the Army Commendation Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the 
Louisiana Distinguished Service Medal, the Louisiana Cross of Merit and 
the Louisiana Emergency Service Medal with 19 Fleurs-de-lis just to 
name a few of the honors bestowed upon him. One can also see the direct 
impact his time in the Armed Services has made with such works as the 
``Stroud Study.'' When General Stroud was selected to conduct a 
Department of Army study on full-time training and administration for 
the Guard and Reserve, his Study was accepted 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.
  In addition to his duties as Adjutant General, there are many other 
areas of service in which he has fulfilled with great distinction: the 
Boy Scouts of America in which he earned the Silver Beaver Award and 
the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award; past-president of the Adjutants 
General Association of the United States; past-president of the 
National Guard Association of the United States; and service as a 
member of the Federal Emergency Management

[[Page S11443]]

Agency's Advisory Board representing the National Guard Association of 
the United States.
  Mr. President, I would, however, be remiss if I did not mention what 
I feel has been one of the most important aspects of the General's 
service to Louisiana: serving as the Director of the Louisiana Office 
of Emergency Preparedness (LOEP). Throughout the years, Louisianas have 
become all too familiar with life-threatening dangers presented by 
mother nature at her worst. General Stroud has certainly taken the 
motto ``be prepared'' to heart by ensuring that Louisiana is capable of 
handling the impact of natural disasters with order and efficiency. 
Under his supervision, operations at LOEP have undergone state-of-the 
art advances which have allowed personnel to provide immediate 
assistance to citizens affected by nature's fury.
  Mr. President, many individuals have a calling to serve the public in 
a variety of ways. They make sacrifices to contribute their talents to 
the safety, security and well-being of others. These are the 
individuals whose commitment to excellence and selfless dedication are 
evident through their leadership and the challenges they choose to 
accept. On November 8, 1997, General Ansel Stroud will relinquish his 
present position as Adjutant General, a position he has dutifully held 
for over seventeen years of his fifty-three years of service to our 
country. Although he is leaving the realm of public service, the 
contributions he has made to the greater good of the State of Louisiana 
will continue to have affect for years to come. It is my most sincere 
wish that General Stroud and Jane, his wife, will reap all the best 
which life has to offer, May God bless and God speed.

                          ____________________