[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO LT. COL. JOHN D. BARTH, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. C. W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2005

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure and privilege to 
rise today and recognize an outstanding Marine, Lieutenant Colonel John 
D. Barth, who will retire this summer after 20 years of active service 
in the United States Marine Corps. During the past three and one-half 
years, a time of great importance to the Marine Corps as we are a 
Nation at war, he has served admirably as the Marine Corps primary 
liaison to Congress for Appropriation Matters.
  Many of my colleagues and their staffs have come to know Lieutenant 
Colonel Barth as an exceptional spokesman for the United States Marine 
Corps. He has earned the complete confidence of the Members and staff 
of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, which I have the 
honor to chair, and the personal staff of Committee Members.
  His straightforward approach and complete grasp of all facets 
concerning expeditionary warfare and program management, coupled with 
his gifted leadership and superb management have been of great benefit 
to my staff, the U.S. Congress and our national security. Lieutenant 
Colonel Barth ensured that the U.S. Congress had the information 
necessary to determine how to best equip, maintain and support the 
United States Marine Corps, America's force-in-readiness. These 
important programs include the MV-22, Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), 
Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), Lightweight 155 Howitzer (LW-
155), Maritime Prepositioned Force (Future), LHA(R), LPD-17, initial 
issue of gear for the individual Marine, and critical equipment 
required for the Global War on Terrorism.

  Lieutenant Colonel Barth's uncompromising professionalism and 
interpersonal skills have provided a great service to the Congress. He 
has helped ensure that the Congress has the proper information about 
Marine Corps requirements and issues at the right time to make critical 
decisions about the future of the Marine Corps. His responses to 
numerous congressional inquiries made by House and Senate Members have 
always been timely, accurate, and professional.
  Mr. Speaker, I have personally known Lieutenant Colonel Barth to 
possess an unquestionable devotion to duty, impeccable integrity, 
absolute sound character, and an exceptional sense of humor. He is a 
true consummate professional. His judicious use of these traits has 
allowed him to handle even the most delicate situations with what 
appears to be relative ease.
  On a more personal note, I wish to highly commend Lieutenant Colonel 
Barth for his unwavering devotion to the injured and wounded Marines 
returning from our current combat operations overseas. On many 
occasions over the last several years, my wife Beverly and I have 
enlisted Lieutenant Colonel Barth's assistance in addressing the needs 
of our Marines and their families at the National Naval Medical Center 
in Bethesda and other hospitals. Lieutenant Colonel Barth has not only 
addressed the needs and concerns of the Marines and their families 
promptly, but he has gone beyond the call of duty by personally 
visiting these young Marines, building personal relationships, offering 
counsel and other words of encouragement and advice, and providing true 
Marine leadership to these young men otherwise facing daunting personal 
challenges.
  Through his exceptional personal efforts, Lieutenant Colonel Barth 
has contributed immeasurably to the Marine Corps, helping to ensure the 
strength and vitality of the Navy/Marine Corps team for years to come. 
In doing so, he has gone beyond his own service and positively impacted 
our Nation's defense. Lieutenant Colonel Barth has made a lasting 
contribution to the capability of today's Marine Corps and the future 
shape of tomorrow's Corps.
  It has been a distinct pleasure to work closely with Lieutenant 
Colonel Barth over the past three and one-half years. His insights have 
always been invaluable. He has set a high standard for others to 
emulate. His superior performance of duties highlighted the culmination 
of 20 years of honorable and dedicated Marine Corps service.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in the House and on the 
Appropriations Committee in wishing Lieutenant Colonel John Barth, his 
wife Michele, and their wonderful family continued success in their 
future endeavors. Many thanks, and Semper Fidelis, Lieutenant Colonel 
Barth. Our Nation has benefited from your outstanding leadership.

                          ____________________