CONTACT: Mr. Eric Durr, 518-786-4581 of (cell) 518-429-5186

FOR RELEASE: Thursday, May 14, 2009

Governor David A. Paterson issued the following statement after the announcement that President Barack Obama has nominated the Adjutant General of New York, Major General Joseph J. Taluto, to be promoted to lieutenant general and assigned as Director of the Army National Guard. Governor Paterson nominated Major General Taluto to be considered for this position. “Major General Joseph Taluto has been a dedicated officer in the New York National Guard for more than 40 years and his selection not only reflects his great ability and tremendous leadership style, but the talent and expertise New York can offer to the rest of the Nation. I congratulate President Obama for his decision to nominate Major General Taluto to serve as Director of the Army National Guard. “The Major General joined the Army National Guard as a private in 1965, was the first National Guard general officer to command a division in combat since the Korean War when he lead the 42nd Infantry Division and Task Force Liberty in Iraq in 2005. He also served as commander of the National Guard Joint Task force which responded to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York City, and for that, all New Yorkers will be forever grateful. “Under his leadership, the New York Army National Guard deployed more than 3,000 Soldiers to Iraq and Afghanistan, including the largest single deployment of a New York unit since World War II in 2008. The New York Air National Guard has deployed more than 1,000 Airmen to and from combat zones. “Major General Taluto has served New York State with honor and dignity, and on behalf of all New Yorkers, I wish him the greatest success in the latest chapter of his illustrious career.” The Director of the Army National Guard guides the formulation, development and implementation of programs and policies affecting the 370,000 National Guard Soldiers in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Major General Taluto’s nomination is now before the Senate for approval. Major General Taluto said: “It is with a heavy heart that I leave New York State, but I am looking forward to taking on this challenging new assignment for the great Soldiers I serve. Leading America’s sons and daughters is one of an officer’s greatest responsibilities and one of my greatest joys. I look forward to doing all that I can to help our Soldiers and their families better serve their states and our great nation, but will miss the terrific men and women of the New York National Guard with whom I have served nearly all my life. I want to thank President Obama for the opportunity and Governor Paterson for the honor to have served New York State.”

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