[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 162 (Monday, December 17, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8068-S8069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO GENERAL TARBET

 Mr. LEE. Madam President, today I wish to honor one of Utah's 
finest, MG Brian Tarbet, the Adjutant General of the Utah National 
Guard. After 12 years of leadership with the Utah National Guard and 39 
years of highly decorated service in the United States Military, 
General Tarbet is retiring, closing a transformative chapter in Utah's 
history.

[[Page S8069]]

  General Tarbet's military career began in the U.S. Army Reserve in 
1973, where he served on active duty until 1975 and then joined the 
Army National Guard in 1976. From 1976 he served in the 142nd Military 
Intelligence Battalion and was then appointed Commander of the 300th 
Military Intelligence Linguist Brigade in 1993. He led the 97th Troop 
Command in 1996 and from September of 2001 he directed the 
mobilization, deployment and redeployment of virtually all units of the 
Utah Army and Air National Guard in support of the Global War on 
Terrorism. The Utah National Guard has units that specialize in 
intelligence, special forces and aviation which have been particularly 
important to the War on Terrorism, and in 2003-2004, 80 percent of 
Utah's reserve units were mobilized or on alert, which was among the 
highest in the National Guard. The Guard also provided assistance in 
the gulf coast in 2005 to the victims of hurricanes Rita and Katrina 
and to the U.S.-Mexico border in support of Customs and Border 
protection operations.
  General Tarbet's awards and achievements include the Legion of Merit, 
Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement 
Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense 
Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military 
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the 
Army Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training 
Ribbon, Utah Medal of Merit, Utah Joint Commendation Medal, Utah 
Achievement Ribbon, Utah Joint Staff Service Ribbon, Utah State 
Partnership Program Service Ribbon, Utah Service Ribbon, Utah Emergency 
Service Ribbon, and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games Service Ribbon.
  In 2002, just months after the September 11th terrorist attacks, Salt 
Lake City was slated to host the Winter Olympic games. Security was a 
tremendous concern with talk of cancelling the games altogether. With 
the entire nation on high alert, General Tarbet commanded 4,500 
National Guardsmen from 25 States in the security operation. The games 
were a tremendous success, and the security was lauded for its 
effectiveness and unobtrusiveness. The games served as a triumphant 
American moment at a time when the nation needed it most.
  The good will of the Utah National Guard extends far beyond the 
borders of our own State, and guided the men and women of the Guard to 
places where their service was needed most. Winston Churchill said, 
``The price of greatness is responsibility.'' General Tarbet has seen 
more than his fair share of difficult tasks and responsibilities and 
has performed each admirably. I believe every soldier who has had the 
opportunity to serve under his charge would agree that he has been a 
leader of unprecedented character. The greatest commendation came from 
one of Tarbet's own soldiers, who said, ``Major General Tarbet is loved 
by his soldiers. He has served us with impeccable integrity, courage 
and common sense during a very tumultuous and unprecedented time.'' 
Sharon and I thank Major General Tarbet for his service and wish him 
and his wife Mary all the best as they enter the next chapter of their 
lives.

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