Floor SpeechNeutral2026-01-22

REMEMBERING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF COLONEL RICHARD EUGENE "GENE" SMITH, JR.

TaxesInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-01-22, Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS-1) delivered a floor speech titled "REMEMBERING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF COLONEL RICHARD EUGENE "GENE" SMITH, JR." in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered infrastructure.

Full Text

REMEMBERING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF COLONEL RICHARD EUGENE "GENE" SMITH, JR.

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E65] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF COLONEL RICHARD EUGENE ``GENE'' SMITH, JR. ______ HON. TRENT KELLY of mississippi in the house of representatives Thursday, January 22, 2026 Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of Richard Eugene ``Gene'' Smith, Jr. of West Point, Mississippi, who passed away on January 16, 2026, at the age of 90. A man of deep faith and quiet courage, Gene was a decorated U.S. Air Force officer, devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Born January 17, 1935, in Marks, Mississippi, Gene grew up in Tunica and earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 13. A graduate of Mississippi State University, he was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program in 1956 and served as a fighter pilot in the F-102 and F-105. On October 25, 1967, during his 33rd combat mission over North Vietnam, his aircraft was shot down, and he endured five and a half years as a prisoner of war, including time in the Hanoi Hilton. He was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. Colonel Smith received two Purple Hearts, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor, the Bronze Star with Valor, and the Air Medal. He retired from the Air Force in 1978 and later served as Executive Director of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport and as National President and Chairman of the Board of the Air Force Association. Anchored by his faith in Jesus Christ, Gene was a longtime member and Elder Emeritus of First Presbyterian Church in West Point. He loved golf, fishing, Mississippi State University, and, above all, time with his family. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rae Smith, and is survived by his wife of 22 years, Lynn Crowe Smith; his children, Kelly Lucas (George), Rick Smith (Pam), Stacy Kellum (Steve), Stacey Miears (Doug), and Erin Holland (Kevin); 11 grandchildren; and seven great- grandchildren. ____________________

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REMEMBERING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF COLONEL RICHARD EUGENE "GENE" SMITH, JR. Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E65] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF COLONEL RICHARD EUGENE ``GENE'' SMITH, JR. ______ HON. TRENT KELLY of mississippi in the house of representatives Thursday, January 22, 2026 Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of Richard Eugene ``Gene'' Smith, Jr. of West Point, Mississippi, who passed away on January 16, 2026, at the age of 90. A man of deep faith and quiet courage, Gene was a decorated U.S. Air Force officer, devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Born January 17, 1935, in Marks, Mississippi, Gene grew up in Tunica and earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 13. A graduate of Mississippi State University, he was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program in 1956 and served as a fighter pilot in the F-102 and F-105. On October 25, 1967, during his 33rd combat mission over North Vietnam, his aircraft was shot down, and he endured five and a half years as a prisoner of war, including time in the Hanoi Hilton. He was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. Colonel Smith received two Purple Hearts, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor, the Bronze Star with Valor, and the Air Medal. He retired from the Air Force in 1978 and later served as Executive Director of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport and as National President and Chairman of the Board of the Air Force Association. Anchored by his faith in Jesus Christ, Gene was a longtime member and Elder Emeritus of First Presbyterian Church in West Point. He loved golf, fishing, Mississippi State University, and, above all, time with his family. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rae Smith, and is survived by his wife of 22 years, Lynn Crowe Smith; his children, Kelly Lucas (George), Rick Smith (Pam), Stacy Kellum (Steve), Stacey Miears (Doug), and Erin Holland (Kevin); 11 grandchildren; and seven great- grandchildren. ____________________