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Floor Speech

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Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the service, accomplishments, and retirement of Michigan native GEN Joseph M. Martin.

Joe will pass on the mantle of leadership after 36 years of service and completes his highly decorated career as the Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.

Joe is a proud son of Michigan. Born and raised in Royal Oak and Dearborn, his family is deeply rooted in the area, with strong ties to the Ford Motor Company. Joe's grandfather, Leonard Martin, worked there for 43 years. Joe's father, Leonard Martin Jr., worked there for 42 years.

It was from his father and grandfather that General Martin learned the Michigan values of honesty, hard work, and service to his community. And it is these values that General Martin has carried with him throughout his 36 years in the U.S. Army.

As a child, Joe attended Henry Ford Elementary and Woodworth Junior High. Before high school, the Martin family moved to the west side of Dearborn, where Joe attended Clare Bryant Junior High and Dearborn High before college.

And although Joe's family has a tradition steeped in naval aviation, Joe took a different path and chose to attend West Point and join the Army.

General Martin graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1986 and was commissioned as an armor officer. Throughout the next 30 years, General Martin would serve in support of America's most significant large-scale operations and fight in some of the Army's most storied divisions.

He deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm, twice for Operation Iraqi Freedom, and as the Combined Joint Force Land Component Commander for Operation Inherent Resolve.

Among other assignments, Joe served with the 1st Armored Division, the 4th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Operational Test Command, and served as the commanding general of the National Training Center and the commander of the 1st Infantry Division.

Following his command of the Big Red One, General Martin was appointed as the Director of Army Staff and later confirmed as the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army.

Joe credits his success to his wife, Leann; and the Martins have two children, Joey and Kylie.

To General Martin and to his family: On behalf of a grateful Nation, thank you for your incredible service and sacrifice over the last three-and-a-half decades. We are glad to welcome you back to your home State of Michigan as you begin your next chapter.

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