Floor SpeechUrgent2026-10-13

RECOGNIZING CHARLES RICHARD STEPTOE WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION

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Context

On 2026-10-13, Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX-17) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING CHARLES RICHARD STEPTOE WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION" in the House.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING CHARLES RICHARD STEPTOE WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 160 (Tuesday, October 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 13, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1077] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING CHARLES RICHARD STEPTOE WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION ______ HON. PETE SESSIONS of texas in the house of representatives Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Charles Richard Steptoe of Groveton, Texas, as a recipient of the 2026 Congressional Veterans Commendation, honoring a veteran whose commitment to service has continued throughout his life. Richard served honorably in the United States Air Force from 1981 to 1985 as a Security Specialist with the 314th Security Police Squadron. During his military career, he earned the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, and Air Force Training Ribbon. Richard's commitment to service did not end when he left the military. Even during his time in the Air Force, he volunteered in support of Special Olympics, giving his personal time to help children with disabilities. His efforts were formally recognized by his commanding officer, demonstrating that his dedication to serving others began while he was still wearing the uniform. Following his military service, Richard devoted 32 years to law enforcement, serving the citizens of East Texas and continuing the tradition of protecting and helping others. What is particularly deserving of recognition, however, is that Richard has continued to serve his community long after completing his military and law- enforcement careers--and he has done so without seeking compensation for some of these important responsibilities. For the past eight years, Richard has served as the Justice of the Peace for Trinity County Precinct 4, and he has also served as the sitting Judge for the City of Groveton. These are positions that carry significant responsibility and require commitment to the people of the community, Yet he has continued to give his time and experience to his neighbors. Except for his role as Justice of the Peace, he volunteers his time serving as the Judge for the City of Groveton and Trinity County Emergency Management Coordinator which he has served for the last 6 years. His willingness to serve without compensation is a powerful reflection of his character and his understanding of public service. For Richard, service is not about what he receives in return. It is about what he can give to the people who depend upon him. As County Judge Danny R. Martin has noted, Richard's work in emergency management is critical to Trinity County. He works to ensure that timely and accurate emergency information reaches as many residents as possible, coordinates with surrounding communities, assists with emergency preparedness, and works on evacuation planning. He has also devoted his time to navigating administrative requirements and researching solutions to help Trinity County prepare for emergencies and natural disasters. He performs this important work as a volunteer. When a community faces a crisis, emergency preparedness can make the difference between confusion and an organized response. He has willingly taken on that responsibility, using the experience he gained through his military and law-enforcement careers to help protect his fellow citizens. He has also continued his service as a member of the Pennington Volunteer Fire Department, once again putting himself in a position to respond when his neighbors need assistance. Richard's record therefore represents something larger than a list of positions held. It represents a lifetime of volunteering and service. He served our Nation in the United States Air Force. He spent decades protecting citizens through law enforcement. And after those careers were completed, he continued to volunteer his time as a judge, emergency management coordinator, firefighter, and community leader. Importantly, much of this continued service has been performed without compensation. Richard could have chosen to step away from public responsibilities after completing his military and law-enforcement careers. Instead, he chose to continue giving back to his community. That willingness to serve simply because his neighbors and community need someone willing to step forward is precisely the spirit we seek to honor when we recognize America's veterans. Mr. Speaker, Charles Richard Steptoe has demonstrated that the commitment to serve does not end when the uniform comes off. For him, it has been a lifelong commitment. His military service, decades of law-enforcement service, volunteer firefighting, judicial service, and emergency-management work have all been guided by the same principle: a willingness to put the needs of others before his own. On behalf of the people of the 17th Congressional District of Texas, I extend my sincere gratitude to Charles Richard Steptoe for his service to our Nation and for the countless hours he has continued to give to the people of East Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Charles Richard Steptoe as a recipient of the 2026 Congressional Veterans Commendation and to thank him for a lifetime of service, sacrifice, and volunteerism. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING CHARLES RICHARD STEPTOE WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 160 (Tuesday, October 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 13, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1077] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING CHARLES RICHARD STEPTOE WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION ______ HON. PETE SESSIONS of texas in the house of representatives Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Charles Richard Steptoe of Groveton, Texas, as a recipient of the 2026 Congressional Veterans Commendation, honoring a veteran whose commitment to service has continued throughout his life. Richard served honorably in the United States Air Force from 1981 to 1985 as a Security Specialist with the 314th Security Police Squadron. During his military career, he earned the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, and Air Force Training Ribbon. Richard's commitment to service did not end when he left the military. Even during his time in the Air Force, he volunteered in support of Special Olympics, giving his personal time to help children with disabilities. His efforts were formally recognized by his commanding officer, demonstrating that his dedication to serving others began while he was still wearing the uniform. Following his military service, Richard devoted 32 years to law enforcement, serving the citizens of East Texas and continuing the tradition of protecting and helping others. What is particularly deserving of recognition, however, is that Richard has continued to serve his community long after completing his military and law- enforcement careers--and he has done so without seeking compensation for some of these important responsibilities. For the past eight years, Richard has served as the Justice of the Peace for Trinity County Precinct 4, and he has also served as the sitting Judge for the City of Groveton. These are positions that carry significant responsibility and require commitment to the people of the community, Yet he has continued to give his time and experience to his neighbors. Except for his role as Justice of the Peace, he volunteers his time serving as the Judge for the City of Groveton and Trinity County Emergency Management Coordinator which he has served for the last 6 years. His willingness to serve without compensation is a powerful reflection of his character and his understanding of public service. For Richard, service is not about what he receives in return. It is about what he can give to the people who depend upon him. As County Judge Danny R. Martin has noted, Richard's work in emergency management is critical to Trinity County. He works to ensure that timely and accurate emergency information reaches as many residents as possible, coordinates with surrounding communities, assists with emergency preparedness, and works on evacuation planning. He has also devoted his time to navigating administrative requirements and researching solutions to help Trinity County prepare for emergencies and natural disasters. He performs this important work as a volunteer. When a community faces a crisis, emergency preparedness can make the difference between confusion and an organized response. He has willingly taken on that responsibility, using the experience he gained through his military and law-enforcement careers to help protect his fellow citizens. He has also continued his service as a member of the Pennington Volunteer Fire Department, once again putting himself in a position to respond when his neighbors need assistance. Richard's record therefore represents something larger than a list of positions held. It represents a lifetime of volunteering and service. He served our Nation in the United States Air Force. He spent decades protecting citizens through law enforcement. And after those careers were completed, he continued to volunteer his time as a judge, emergency management coordinator, firefighter, and community leader. Importantly, much of this continued service has been performed without compensation. Richard could have chosen to step away from public responsibilities after completing his military and law-enforcement careers. Instead, he chose to continue giving back to his community. That willingness to serve simply because his neighbors and community need someone willing to step forward is precisely the spirit we seek to honor when we recognize America's veterans. Mr. Speaker, Charles Richard Steptoe has demonstrated that the commitment to serve does not end when the uniform comes off. For him, it has been a lifelong commitment. His military service, decades of law-enforcement service, volunteer firefighting, judicial service, and emergency-management work have all been guided by the same principle: a willingness to put the needs of others before his own. On behalf of the people of the 17th Congressional District of Texas, I extend my sincere gratitude to Charles Richard Steptoe for his service to our Nation and for the countless hours he has continued to give to the people of East Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Charles Richard Steptoe as a recipient of the 2026 Congressional Veterans Commendation and to thank him for a lifetime of service, sacrifice, and volunteerism. ____________________