[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 27, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S4503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL THADDEUS J. MARTIN

 Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize MG 
Thaddeus J. Martin on the occasion of his retirement from his position 
as adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard.
  A dedicated member of our military, Major General Martin has 
influenced Connecticut for the better and set an impressive standard 
for the future of the Connecticut National Guard thanks to his decades 
of leadership and public service. He is well regarded by his peers and 
has consistently proven himself as a mindful and quick-thinking leader.
  Major General Martin began his military service in 1977. He received 
his commission in the U.S. Air Force through officer training school in 
1980 and completed training as an aircraft maintenance officer in 1981. 
Throughout his years on Active service, he held several squadron and 
wing-level assignments and completed a major command headquarters tour 
with Strategic Air Command.
  After joining the Connecticut Air National Guard in 1990, he held 
command positions at the squadron, group, and wing level and completed 
a statutory tour with the National Guard Bureau. He also served as the 
assistant adjutant general for the Connecticut Air National Guard prior 
to becoming the adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard.
  Major General Martin is the longest currently tenured adjutant 
general in the Nation and the third longest serving adjutant general in 
Connecticut's history, having reached 13 years in the position last 
month. During his time as adjutant general, he oversaw the Connecticut 
National Guard with great integrity, addressing emergencies in the 
area, and offering military support on behalf of the United States 
wherever necessary. Major General Martin's decades of service to our 
Nation enabled him to diligently and tirelessly carry out his 
responsibilities of providing forces for the Governor and Chief of the 
National Guard Bureau that were always mission-ready. As the direct 
link to National Guard State resources, he routinely worked to better 
prepare Connecticut and the Guard to face new challenges.
  Already in his first year as adjutant general, he dealt with 
challenges from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. Major 
General Martin played a key role in establishing a lasting flying 
mission for Connecticut by helping to organize the transition from the 
A-10 Warthog to the C-130H Hercules tactical airlift platform. This 
flying mission recently marked its first-ever large-scale overseas 
deployment as a C-130 unit.
  Over the past 13 years, the Connecticut National Guard has assisted 
with relief efforts resulting from a number of natural disasters, 
including Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, and Maria, along with Superstorm 
Sandy, by providing essential supplies, equipment, and personnel. 
Additionally, over 6,000 Connecticut Army and Air guardsmen deployed in 
order to support international efforts. All of this was accomplished 
under the leadership of Major General Martin.
  The Connecticut National Guard is a critical part of our State, and 
the unfailing commitment and leadership of Major General Martin during 
his tenure as adjutant general leaves his successor with an impressive 
and accomplished Guard that will undoubtedly continue to valiantly 
serve Connecticut and the Nation in the future.
  I applaud his lifetime of service and hope my colleagues will join me 
in congratulating Major General Martin on his well-earned 
retirement.

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