RECOGNIZING CORPORAL TOM GENE FORDYCE, U.S. MARINE (RET.), WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION

On 2026-10-15, Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX-17) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING CORPORAL TOM GENE FORDYCE, U.S. MARINE (RET.), WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION" in the House.

RECOGNIZING CORPORAL TOM GENE FORDYCE, U.S. MARINE (RET.), WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 161 (Thursday, October 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 161 (Thursday, October 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1081] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING CORPORAL TOM GENE FORDYCE, U.S. MARINE (RET.), WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION ______ HON. PETE SESSIONS of texas in the house of representatives Thursday, October 15, 2026 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to present Corporal Tom Gene Fordyce of Huntsville, Texas, with a 2026 Congressional Veteran Commendation. His life of service reflects the hard work, dedication, and commitment that exemplify the very best of our East Texas values. Tom Fordyce entered active duty at Camp Pendleton, California, in June 1966 at the age of eighteen. He served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Regiment, 3rd Division of the Marine Corps. During the Vietnam War, Tom served with honor and heroism at Khe Sanh, where he sustained a severe injury to his left arm that rendered it permanently unusable. His military service instilled in him a resilience and commitment to mission and purpose that he has carried throughout his life. Tom served two years overseas in combat and earned numerous military honors, including the Purple Heart Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, Good Conduct Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon. He completed Infantry Training and the Anti-Tank Assaultman's Course in 1966, followed by Combat Marksmanship training in 1968. Following his military service, Tom graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1972 and went on to build a distinguished career with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice spanning more than three decades. He retired in 2005 as Department Head of the Agriculture and Minerals Division. That same year, he was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to serve as a board member of the Trinity River Authority, a position he held for many years. Tom also served as a Commissioner for the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and currently serves as a member of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, having been appointed by Governor Greg Abbott. Tom's commitment to veterans is equally remarkable. In 2010, he founded the Warrior Banquet in conjunction with the Mighty Oaks Foundation, where he currently serves as Chief of Special Projects and a board member. Through this work, he helps advance the organization's faith-based mission of providing peer-to-peer mentoring and recovery programs for combat veterans and military families dealing with PTSD. Tom has also devoted himself to strengthening his hometown of Huntsville and supporting its youth. In 2014, he was named the Huntsville Item's Unsung Hero in recognition of his persistent involvement with veterans and the community, as well as his support of local youth in agriculture. Throughout the years, Tom and his family have continued to give back to their community and encourage others to help make Huntsville a better place. His community service has included leadership and board roles with the H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum, Walker County Fair Association, Lone Survivor Foundation, and Huntsville Veterans Advisory Council. As a Marine, Tom was guided and shaped into the man we know today. Behind every great man, however, is a great woman, and Tom has been married to Sharon for 32 years. Together, they are the proud parents of four adult children: Stephanie, Michael, Lauren, and Tyler. The love and inspiration of his family, along with God's blessings, have helped shape Tom into a neighbor, hero, and trusted source of wise counsel to countless citizens and elected officials throughout Huntsville. It is this lifetime of hard work, service, leadership, and devotion to his community, veterans, and its youth that I proudly commend Tom Gene Fordyce of Huntsville, Texas, to his friends, family, community, and country. It is my honor to recognize him with the 2026 Congressional Veteran Commendation. ____________________