[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO MAJ. GEN. MAX BARATZ ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

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                         HON. STEPHEN E. BUYER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 1998

  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a 
distinguished and dedicated military officer who has served this nation 
with great honor and distinction. Major General Max Baratz, the Chief, 
Army Reserve, will retire on May 24, 1998 after more than four decades 
of dedicated and exemplary service in the United States Army and the 
Army Reserve. Today, I'm proud to take a few minutes to highlight the 
extraordinary career of Major General Baratz.
  His career began in 1956 as an infantry officer. After serving as a 
platoon leader in the 1st Infantry Division, he carried his love of 
country and commitment to duty to the United States Army Reserve. As a 
drilling reservist, he became an engineer officer and served in a 
variety of staff and leadership positions to include the command of 
company in an Engineer Training Group and service as an Engineering 
Battalion Commander.
  In November 1976, as a full colonel, Major General Baratz was 
selected to be the 416th Engineer Command's Chief of Staff. Mr. 
Speaker, I need not remind you or my distinguished colleagues that only 
a handful of Army Reservists ever attain or surpass this prestigious 
rank, and even fewer achieve the rank of major general. But Major 
General Baratz was no ordinary Army Reservist, and he is no ordinary 
citizen--soldier.
  In 1979 Major General Baratz was selected as a Brigadier General in 
the Army Reserve.
  In November 1983, after 11 years of service in the 416th Engineer 
Command, the Army selected him as commander. President Reagan was well 
aware of the asset he had in Max Baratz, and nominated him for his 
second star--a nomination, I might add, that the other body prudently 
and expeditiously confirmed. During his tenure of more than three years 
as the commander of the 416th, also found the time to serve on the Army 
Reserve Forces Policy Committee, firs as an alternate member in the 5th 
Army Area, and then as the principal member from the 4th Army Area. In 
the closing days of his command, he was selected to be co-chairman of 
the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee, a position he held until 
December 1990.
  In 1991, during Operation Desert Shield, Major General Baratz was 
called to active duty to serve as the Deputy Commanding General for 
Reserve Affairs for the same United States Forces Command. He 
personally oversaw the mobilization of almost 85,000 Army Reservists in 
support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Major General 
Baratz was personally responsible for one-third of the entire Defense 
Department's reserve component mobilization to support the Gulf War, 
and was a major factor in the success of our national efforts in the 
region. I am thoroughly convinced that, without Major General Baratz 
personally in charge, our efforts would have been far more difficult 
and problematic. Those soldiers were the lifeline for the ground 
forces, and the successful completion of their mission is a testament 
to the great abilities of this military leader.
  Shortly after the Gulf War, Major General Baratz was again called to 
active duty to be Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army 
Reserve Command. In this capacity, he was personally responsible for 
the training and readiness of almost all Army Reserve units in the 
continental United States. In 1994 he was selected to be the Chief, 
Army Reserve.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that most people do not know the full scope 
and awesome responsibilities that come with this position. As the 
Chief, he oversees Army Reserve policy development and interaction with 
the Department of the Army and Department of Defense staffs. He is also 
the Commanding General of the United States Army Reserve Command, as 
well as the Deputy Commanding General for Reserve Affairs for the 
United States Forces Command. In short, he is the focal point for 
virtually all Army reserve component issues.
  It should come as no surprise that Major General Baratz was as 
dedicated and professional in this assignment as he was in all his 
others. he oversaw a dramatic, and at times, painful reorganization of 
the Army Reserve that was accomplished, first and foremost, with the 
needs of the Army and the nation in the forefront of his mind. While 
its size was being reduced by over one-third, its utility was 
increasing dramatically. Under his direction, Army Reserve units were 
the first into and the last out of Haiti. Also, over 70 percent of the 
Army's reserve component mobilization in support of Operation Restore 
Democracy came from the Army Reserve. Furthermore, Major General 
Baratz' efforts were eccentuated during the successfull deployment of 
over 15,000 Army Reservists to Bosnia, a figure representing 74 percent 
of the Army's reserve component mobilization. In fact, more Army 
Reservists have been mobilized in support of peace keeping efforts in 
Bosnia than were mobilized during the Vietnam conflict. Under Major 
General Baratz, the United States Army Reserve is better trained and 
more relevant to the nation than, perhaps, at any time in its 
distinguished history.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that we all should say a prayer of thanks for 
Max Baratz and his desire to serve his country for over four decades 
and under nine different presidents. The United States Army is an 
institution that prides itself on leadership by example. The example 
Max Baratz has set ensures that we will always have dedicated men and 
women ready to take up the cause of our great nation wherever and 
whenever required. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to present the 
distinguished credentials of Major General Max Baratz before the 
Congress today. However, something tells me that we, as a nation, have 
not heard the last from him. This tireless patriot may be retiring, but 
rather than a ``farewell,'' he leaves saying, ``until we meet again.''

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