[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E396-E397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL A.C. ROPER, THE FIRST
AFRICAN AMERICAN THREE-STAR GENERAL IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE

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HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

of alabama

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 29, 2024

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary
career and achievements of Lieutenant General A.C. Roper, the first
African American three-star general in the U.S. Army Reserve, as he
celebrates his retirement from the U.S. Army.
Lieutenant General Roper's exemplary service began after he was
commissioned in 1983 as a student at the University of Alabama at
Birmingham. His military education is extensive, including Chemical
Officer Basic and Advance Courses (Honor Graduate of both), Public
Affairs Officers Course, Equal Opportunity Advisors Course
(Commandant's Award), Inspector General Course, Combined Arms Staff
Services School, Command and General Staff College (Commandant's List),
the US Army War College, the Joint Senior Reserve Component Officer
Course, the Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) Course, the
National Defense University's CAPSTONE Course, the NORTHCOM Joint Task
Force Commanders Course, and Harvard University's National &
International Security Seminar. He earned a Master of Science from the
University of Alabama and a Master in Strategic Studies from the US
Army War College. He furthered his education at the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) National Academy and the FBI National Executive
Institute. He specialized in protecting critical infrastructure and
served on the Executive Board of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.
On May 14, 2021, Lieutenant General Roper broke a barrier within the
armed services, becoming the first African American to become a three-
star general in the U.S. Army Reserve, earning the rank of Lieutenant
General.
Most recently, Lieutenant General A.C. Roper served as the Deputy
Commander, U.S. Northern Command, and Vice Commander, U.S. Element,
North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base,
Colorado. As Deputy Commander, Lieutenant General Roper assisted the
Combatant Commander in anticipating, preparing for, and responding to
threats against North America and within Northern Command's assigned
area of responsibility. Additionally, he provided oversight of the U.S.
Northern Command's mission to provide Defense Support of Civil
Authorities.
Throughout his decorated career, Lieutenant General Roper's
reputation has always been one of purpose and passion. Prior to this
current assignment, he commanded the 76th

[[Page E397]]

Operational Response Command in Salt Lake City, UT, which was the
USAR's all-hazard response command. He also served as Commanding
General--80th Training Command (OPCON to TRADOC), Acting Deputy
Commanding General--CBRN, 335th Signal Command, and Commander of the
415th CBRN Brigade, where he was dual-hatted as the Task Force
Operations Commander, JTF-51, ARNORTH for the C2CRE-A homeland response
mission. Lieutenant General Roper was deployed to Saudi Arabia during
Operation Desert Shield and to Afghanistan in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom. He also supported Joint Task Force Andrew relief
operations in Southern Florida.
Lieutenant General Roper's other general officer level assignments
include duties as Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command,
Fort Bragg, NC, and Deputy Chief, Army Reserve, Office of the Chief of
Army Reserve, headquartered at the Pentagon, Washington, DC. In 2018,
Roper traveled to France during the World War I Centennial
Commemorations and walked the same battlefield as his grandfather, Cpl.
Roper who served in the 366th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry
Division, and was a significant inspiration for Lieutenant General
Roper's career.
Lieutenant General Roper's awards and decorations include the
Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with
two Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal
with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Combat
Action Badge, and various other awards. He also served as a principal
member of the Secretary of the Army's Army Reserve Forces Policy
Committee and the Secretary of Defense's Reserve Forces Policy Board.
As a civilian, Lieutenant General Roper has over 33 years of law
enforcement experience, serving as the Chief of Police of the
Birmingham Police Department for a decade. He has also served as an
Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice and on the Executive Board of the
FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.
On a personal note, I got to know the Lieutenant General in his
civilian capacity as the Police Chief for the City of Birmingham Police
Department, for over 10 years. Chief Roper, as he was called, is a
disciplined and principled servant leader who impressed me with his
firm yet compassionate leadership style that commanded the respect of
his fellow officers and endeared him to the Birmingham community. While
serving as Police Chief, he continued to serve his country as a U.S.
Army reservist whose deployment assignments were in Saudi Arabia and
Afghanistan. Lieutenant General Roper is an honorable man, guided by
his abiding faith in God and love of country shown in both his military
and law enforcement service. On behalf of a grateful Nation, we honor
Lieutenant General Roper for his 33 years in law enforcement and his 41
years of military service. We commend him for his dedication,
commitment, and strong belief in God, family, and country. I thank him.
On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my
colleagues to join me in recognizing the extraordinary career and
exemplary service of Lieutenant General A.C. Roper for his
contributions to our Nation and the enduring legacy of his service.

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