[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E25]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO DR. ROBERT G. GARD, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 1998

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
an outstanding citizen of California's Central Coast. Dr. Robert G. 
Gard, Jr. began a lifetime commitment to public service with a 
distinguished military career and went on to become a leading advocate 
for one of Central California's most prized institutions, the Monterey 
Institute of International Studies. Bob will retire January 30, and he 
will be deeply missed.
  Lt. Gen. Gard served in the U.S. Army not only at the Department of 
Defense, but in Germany, Korea and Vietnam as well. As commanding 
general, he oversaw Fort Ord's transition from an Army training center 
to a light infantry division in the 1970s. Following that success he 
was brought back to Washington once again, where his expertise led him 
to become the commanding general of the Military Personnel Center and 
president of the National Defense University.
  After retiring in 1982, Dr. Gard put his international experience to 
use in the civilian world. Following his service with American and 
Johns Hopkins universities, the Monterey Institute of International 
Studies was both savvy and fortunate enough to land Dr. Gard as its 
President, a post he has filled superbly for over a decade.
  Located in California's beautiful Monterey, the Language Capital of 
the World, the institute provides training in 24 languages and 
comprises one-fourth of the nation's advanced foreign language 
training. During Dr. Gard's tenure, the institute has seen a 62 percent 
increase in student enrollment, a tripling of its endowment and a 
broadening of its academic and graduate programs like never before.
  Under his leadership, MIIS' Center for Non-Proliferation Studies has 
developed a worldwide reputation as the source of information on the 
spread of weapons of mass destruction, and is used as a resource by 
national policy-makers in Congress, the CIA and other federal agencies.
  Dr. Gard is a vocal advocate for such humanitarian causes as the 
elimination of anti-personnel landmines. He has openly pointed to the 
weapons' military insignificance and the need to prevent further 
needless destruction of innocent human life by banning them from all 
future use.
  MIIS is a better institution under Dr. Gard's leadership. While Bob's 
contributions will remain forever, we will surely miss him. On behalf 
of the constituents of the 17th district, I offer our heartfelt thanks 
and our best retirement wishes to a true American hero.

                          ____________________