Floor SpeechNeutral2026-10-15

RECOGNIZING THOMAS OLEINIK WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION

TaxesEnvironmentDefenseTradeCrime & JusticeVeterans

Context

On 2026-10-15, Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX-17) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THOMAS OLEINIK WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION" in the House.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING THOMAS OLEINIK 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 E1085] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THOMAS OLEINIK 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 Thomas Oleinik, of Huntsville, Texas, with a 2026 Congressional Veteran Commendation. His life of service reflects the hard work, dedication, and devotion that exemplify the very best of our East Texas values. Thomas Oleinik entered active duty in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in February 1961 at the age of nineteen. He trained with the 5th and 13th Infantry at Fort Riley, Kansas, and the 1st Engineering Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Thomas went on to serve honorably overseas in Korea in the aftermath of the Korean War. Although he was trained as a combat engineer and prepared to serve in a still-hostile Korean theater, the Army recognized his abilities and entrusted him with an important administrative role. He was assigned to the 15th Administration Company and placed in charge of managing the Army Post Office for the 24th Infantry Division at Panmunjom for 15 months, serving as a vital link between soldiers and their families. Thomas took great pride in the trust his superiors placed in him. Thomas returned stateside following his overseas tour and transferred to the 20th Engineering Brigade at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, where he continued serving in the U.S. Army Reserves through 1967, completing six years of military service. During his service, Thomas qualified as an Expert Rifle Marksman and completed training in Basic Combat Training, the Military Justice Code of Conduct, Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Defense, and the Geneva Conventions. Following his military service, Thomas began an extraordinary 39-year career in law enforcement in 1964. He served as a Wisconsin State Trooper from 1964 to 1967 before becoming a Texas State Trooper in 1968. He continued serving with the Texas Department of Public Safety until his retirement in 1993 at the rank of Corporal. Thomas' retirement from law enforcement was brief. In 1996, former County Judge and past Congressional Veteran Commendation recipient Charles Wagamon and County Commissioner Buddy Reynolds launched an effort to establish Walker County's first Environmental Enforcement Officer. Thomas applied for the position, was selected, and quickly made it his own. He enforced county ordinances addressing illegal dumping, burning violations, water and air pollution, and also handled septic inspections, 911 files, building codes, and permitting. His work helped make Walker County a safer, cleaner, and more orderly community while inspiring volunteers to take an active role in improving their surroundings. In recognition of his efforts, Thomas received third place in the Keep Texas Beautiful Ed Davis Litter Law Enforcement Award in 2002. He retired from the position in 2008 and devoted even more of his time to serving his community. Thomas became a Finance Officer and long-time board member of the newly established H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas, where he worked alongside its co-founder, his beloved wife Charlotte, to help build the museum into the institution it is today, serving thousands of veterans throughout the region. He has also served in numerous volunteer and leadership roles with VFW Post 5871, his church, and other community organizations, consistently giving his time to veterans, families, and neighbors in need. Thomas' devotion to his country extended into civic service as well. Because of his deep sense of duty and love of country, he served for many years as a Precinct Chair for the Republican Party of Walker County, where he worked to strengthen the integrity of local elections and remained committed to serving his commnunity. Thomas' greatest legacy of service, however, began at home with Charlotte. Built upon a strong foundation of faith, their marriage included fostering more than 50 young children over the course of their life together. Through his military service, law enforcement career, veteran advocacy, civic involvement, and dedication to his family, Thomas has exemplified what it means to be a great American, exceptional veteran, father, leader, and mentor. It is this lifetime of hard work, service, leadership, and devotion to his community and family that I proudly commend Thomas Oleinik of Huntsville, Texas, to his friends, family, community, and country. It is my honor to recognize him with the 2026 Congressional Veteran Commendation. ____________________

View original source →

RECOGNIZING THOMAS OLEINIK 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 E1085] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THOMAS OLEINIK 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 Thomas Oleinik, of Huntsville, Texas, with a 2026 Congressional Veteran Commendation. His life of service reflects the hard work, dedication, and devotion that exemplify the very best of our East Texas values. Thomas Oleinik entered active duty in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in February 1961 at the age of nineteen. He trained with the 5th and 13th Infantry at Fort Riley, Kansas, and the 1st Engineering Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Thomas went on to serve honorably overseas in Korea in the aftermath of the Korean War. Although he was trained as a combat engineer and prepared to serve in a still-hostile Korean theater, the Army recognized his abilities and entrusted him with an important administrative role. He was assigned to the 15th Administration Company and placed in charge of managing the Army Post Office for the 24th Infantry Division at Panmunjom for 15 months, serving as a vital link between soldiers and their families. Thomas took great pride in the trust his superiors placed in him. Thomas returned stateside following his overseas tour and transferred to the 20th Engineering Brigade at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, where he continued serving in the U.S. Army Reserves through 1967, completing six years of military service. During his service, Thomas qualified as an Expert Rifle Marksman and completed training in Basic Combat Training, the Military Justice Code of Conduct, Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Defense, and the Geneva Conventions. Following his military service, Thomas began an extraordinary 39-year career in law enforcement in 1964. He served as a Wisconsin State Trooper from 1964 to 1967 before becoming a Texas State Trooper in 1968. He continued serving with the Texas Department of Public Safety until his retirement in 1993 at the rank of Corporal. Thomas' retirement from law enforcement was brief. In 1996, former County Judge and past Congressional Veteran Commendation recipient Charles Wagamon and County Commissioner Buddy Reynolds launched an effort to establish Walker County's first Environmental Enforcement Officer. Thomas applied for the position, was selected, and quickly made it his own. He enforced county ordinances addressing illegal dumping, burning violations, water and air pollution, and also handled septic inspections, 911 files, building codes, and permitting. His work helped make Walker County a safer, cleaner, and more orderly community while inspiring volunteers to take an active role in improving their surroundings. In recognition of his efforts, Thomas received third place in the Keep Texas Beautiful Ed Davis Litter Law Enforcement Award in 2002. He retired from the position in 2008 and devoted even more of his time to serving his community. Thomas became a Finance Officer and long-time board member of the newly established H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas, where he worked alongside its co-founder, his beloved wife Charlotte, to help build the museum into the institution it is today, serving thousands of veterans throughout the region. He has also served in numerous volunteer and leadership roles with VFW Post 5871, his church, and other community organizations, consistently giving his time to veterans, families, and neighbors in need. Thomas' devotion to his country extended into civic service as well. Because of his deep sense of duty and love of country, he served for many years as a Precinct Chair for the Republican Party of Walker County, where he worked to strengthen the integrity of local elections and remained committed to serving his commnunity. Thomas' greatest legacy of service, however, began at home with Charlotte. Built upon a strong foundation of faith, their marriage included fostering more than 50 young children over the course of their life together. Through his military service, law enforcement career, veteran advocacy, civic involvement, and dedication to his family, Thomas has exemplified what it means to be a great American, exceptional veteran, father, leader, and mentor. It is this lifetime of hard work, service, leadership, and devotion to his community and family that I proudly commend Thomas Oleinik of Huntsville, Texas, to his friends, family, community, and country. It is my honor to recognize him with the 2026 Congressional Veteran Commendation. ____________________