[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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