[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 147 (Monday, October 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO CARL A. LABARRE, LATE A FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS, 
                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

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                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 1, 2007

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, as chairman of the 
Committee on House Administration and of the Joint Committee on 
Printing, I wish to pay tribute to Carl A. LaBarre, who served the U.S. 
Navy faithfully and well during his career, and who then brought a 
similar standard of service to the Government Printing Office, where he 
led his staff in improving public access to Government information.
  On October 4,2007, Carl LaBarre will be laid to rest with full honors 
in Arlington National Cemetery. A Montana native who attended the 
University of Montana and later the Naval War College, the Naval Post 
Graduate School, and the Harvard Graduate School of Business 
Administration, LaBarre was a career U.S. Navy officer who retired as 
Inspector General of the Naval Supply Systems Command in Washington, 
D.C., with the rank of Captain. During his service he earned the Legion 
of Merit, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Department of Defense 
Joint Service Commendation Award. Perhaps most significantly, 
especially to those of us who have been watching Ken Burns' latest 
documentary The War, then-Ensign LaBarre earned recognition for service 
in the best tradition of the Navy on December 7, 1941, while 
``effecting the rescue of personnel trapped below decks'' on the 
battleship USS California, which was badly damaged in the Japanese 
attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
  As noteworthy as it was, Carl LaBarre's career did not end with his 
service in the Navy. In 1971, he joined the GPO as Deputy Director and 
then Director of its Materials Management Service, which was 
responsible for keeping the GPO supplied with paper, ink, equipment, 
and all the other materials required to accomplish its work. In 1975, 
then-Public Printer Thomas McCormick appointed him Superintendent of 
Documents, a statutory position which is responsible for the public 
distribution of all Government documents via sales, distribution to 
Federal depository libraries, and the international exchange program. 
From that post LaBarre directed a nationwide network involving 
warehouse-based mail order operations, 25 bookstores in major 
metropolitan areas, and depository libraries in virtually every State 
and congressional district; during his tenure, the numbers of 
depository libraries increased from 1,170 to 1,367, broadening the 
reach of the program across America. Sales also increased, from $34.5 
million annually when he took office to $55 million by the time LaBarre 
retired in 1982.
  The hallmark of Carl LaBarre's service as Superintendent of Documents 
was his effort to improve the management of GPO's documents 
distribution operations and increase customer satisfaction. He adopted 
modern information technology and worked to make GPO's 
customer services comparable with those of private-sector firms. In the 
Federal Depository Library Program, LaBarre supported the automation of 
the Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications, which transformed 
the world of bibliographic control for Government documents. He 
supported microfiche conversion of Government documents, at that time 
seen as a primary means for providing depository libraries with 
scientific and technical documents printed in small numbers outside of 
GPO. He made the Depository Library Council an effective advisory body 
for the Public Printer and it remains so to this day. For his efforts 
he was commended by the American Library Association. LaBarre also 
received GPO's Distinguished Service Medal, the highest award the 
Public Printer can bestow, not once but twice for ``his outstanding 
success in improving the management of the Documents operations and for 
creating an unprecedented era of customer satisfaction,'' and for ``his 
exceptional leadership and his unparalleled achievements while serving 
as Superintendent of Documents.''

  Madam Speaker, I have not had the privilege of working with Carl A. 
LaBarre during my tenure on the Joint Committee on Printing. Those who 
did have the privilege attest that he was a remarkable man and a 
faithful, dedicated public servant. On behalf of the Joint Committee 
and indeed the entire Congress, I extend condolences to Carl LaBarre's 
family, friends, and former colleagues.

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