[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE 118TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES
ARMY RESERVE
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HON. MARCY KAPTUR
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 118th
anniversary of the founding of the United States Army Reserve.
Our Nation first created the Army Medical Reserve Corps in 1908 to
remedy wartime challenges. Since that historic origin, the Army Reserve
has played a critical role in combat support and humanitarian aid both
at home and abroad. Over the last 118 years, Citizen-Soldiers have been
tested in the crucible of combat, transforming from a strategic
supplemental reserve into an essential, operational force upon which
the Nation routinely calls.
Today, we honor the nearly 172,000 Army Reserve Soldiers and 11,000
Civilians serving across 50 states, five U.S. territories, and 23
countries. On any given day, upwards of 9,000 of these dedicated
servicemembers are mobilized or deployed in support of combatant
commands globally. Operating out of 1,200 American communities, these
individuals possess high-demand civilian career skills that are crucial
to our national defense. The Army Reserve provides the bulk of
sustainment forces to the Joint fight. Our Joint Force simply cannot
deploy, fight, and win without them. Whether executing Innovative
Readiness Training missions that deliver vital services to our local
communities, or maintaining a steadfast global presence, their daily
impact is immeasurable.
As we look toward the future, the Army Reserve is undertaking its
most significant transformation in several decades to ensure dominance
in large-scale combat operations and multi-domain environments. These
modernization efforts are actively enabling the force to become leaner,
more mobile, lower signature, and more lethal. Guided by their vision,
the Army Reserve is continuously adapting to provide trained and
equipped units at the scale and speed required to meet the challenges
of tomorrow. I am deeply grateful for the unwavering service and
sacrifice of every Army Reserve Soldier, Civilian, and their Families.
As they step into their next year of service, they remain: ``Twice the
Citizen, Combat Ready.''
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