Tribute to Major General R. Martin Umbarger

Floor Speech

Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished Hoosier and American, Major General R. Martin Umbarger, the Adjutant General of Indiana. Major General Umbarger is retiring after eleven years as the leader of the Indiana Army and Air National Guard, the Indiana Guard Reserve and support staff totaling more than 15,800 personnel.

Major General Umbarger began his career as an enlisted soldier for the Indiana Army National Guard in 1969. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant after graduating from the Indiana Military Academy as a distinguished military graduate. He has served as the Deputy Commanding General for the Reserve Component in the U.S. Army Forces Command, Assistant Division Commander for Training for the 38th Infantry Division, and as Commanding General of the 76th Infantry Brigade.

Major General Umbarger earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in business from the University of Evansville and attended the United States Command and General Staff College and United States Army War College. Major General Umbarger has directed the pre-mobilized training, deployment and redeployment of most of the Indiana Army and Air National Guard in support of the Global War on Terrorism. He has served as a member of the Secretary of the Army's Reserve Forces Policy Committee and currently serves on the Secretary of Defense's Reserve Forces Policy Board.

As Secretary of State, I had the privilege of working with Major General Umbarger to protect Hoosiers serving in the military, both out-of-state and overseas, by promoting and improving absentee voting processes. Major General Umbarger recognized the importance of ensuring that those fighting for our freedom had the opportunity to vote for those sending them into harm's way. He truly values the rights of the men and women under his command, and they know it.

As Indiana's Fourth District Representative, I have also worked with Major General Umbarger on legislation which would study the structure of our military and how reserve components can be best utilized.

Major General Umbarger is one of the most accomplished adjutant generals in the country and a valuable leader in Indiana. He has led the Indiana National Guard and served our state and nation with integrity and distinction over his 45 year career in the Armed Forces. I wish him and his family the best of luck as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives.

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