HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CAPTAIN GARY S. TOMCZIK

On 2026-04-21, Representative Angie Craig (D-MN-2) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CAPTAIN GARY S. TOMCZIK" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered the environment, defense.

HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CAPTAIN GARY S. TOMCZIK

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E351-E352] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CAPTAIN GARY S. TOMCZIK ______ HON. ANGIE CRAIG of minnesota in the house of representatives Tuesday, April 21, 2026 Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Captain Gary S. Tomczik, United States Army-Aviation, who passed away on March 20, 2026. Captain Tomczik was originally from St. Cloud, Minnesota, and graduated from St. Cloud Cathedral High School. While attending St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, he was accepted into the ROTC Aviation program and began flying lessons in St. Cloud and St. Paul. In 1967, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant, and attended Helicopter Flight School at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Shortly after, he was sent to Vietnam for his first tour of duty. During this tour, he served with distinction as he conducted airlift missions transporting troops and supplies into and out from theater, engaged in medical evacuation missions for injured troops, and flew numerous night missions. During his second tour in Vietnam, he served as the executive officer in his unit, directly assisting the unit commander, and oversaw the maintenance and repair of aircraft. This role required him to test choppers before their return to combat, a particularly risky task. Despite the danger, Captain Tomczik served his country with courage and conviction. Following his tours in Vietnam, he served as an instructor to new pilots at Ft. Rucker. As an instructor, Captain Tomczik took the safety of his students very seriously and worked tirelessly to ensure they had the tools and training they needed to succeed. Captain Tomczik was unwavering in his dedication to serving his Nation and instilled in his students their responsibility to always put the American people first in the performance of their duties. Captain Tomczik's courage and skill during his service were recognized with numerous Army commendations, including the Bronze Star, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60-device, the Vietnam Service Medal, three Army Overseas Service bars, the Army Aviator Badge, and the National Defense Service Medal. Following his service in Vietnam and at Ft. Rucker, Captain Tomczik continued his work with helicopters for Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. His career took him all over the world, before he and his wife of 53 years, Hilary, settled in Santa Barbara, California. I offer my deepest condolences to Captain Tomczik's family--his wife, Hilary, his sons Graham and Damien, and his siblings Ron, Janet, Mel, and Patrick. I want to thank him and his fellow veterans, including his three brothers, for their service to our country. [[Page E352]] ____________________