[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN MEMORY OF THOMAS JOHN JANIS, AN AMERICAN HERO

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                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 2003

  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon to honor the career 
and the ultimate sacrifice made by my constituent, Thomas John Janis, 
who was killed near Florencia, Colombia on February 13th, while serving 
to defend his country in the war on narco-terrorism.
  Thomas Janis, a native of Chicago, Illinois, was born on November 23, 
1946. Tom's distinguished military career began in 1966 when he entered 
the Army and served as a military policeman. While serving in Korea, 
Tom became interested in Army Aviation, and by 1969, he graduated from 
the Warrant Flight Officer Program.
  Tom Janis' tours of duty included serving in Vietnam, Panama, 
Germany, and several installations in the United States in aviation 
billets. Tom was an accomplished aviator with over 12,000 flight hours 
and had several assignments as an Instructor Pilot. After 32 years in 
active service to the country, Tom Janis retired as a Chief Warrant 
Officer 5 with numerous decorations for valor and service to his 
credit, including the Bronze Star, four Meritorious Service Medals, an 
Air Medal with valor, and numerous other commendations.
  After leaving the U.S. military, Tom continued his service as a pilot 
contributing to our nation's drug interdiction and counter-terrorism 
efforts in South America. On February 13, Tom was piloting a Cessna 
Caravan on a counternarcotics mission over southern Colombia. His 
aircraft experienced engine failure, yet he skillfully brought it to 
the ground without loss of life of any brave men on board his aircraft. 
Tragically, the crash site was in the center of a zone controlled by 
FARC narco-terrorists. While seeking to reach a safe area, Tom and a 
Colombian military colleague were deliberately killed by FARC narco-
terrorists. Tom's murder will not go unpunished and his sacrifice will 
not be forgotten. Appropriately, Tom was buried with full military 
honors earlier this week at Arlington National Cemetery.
  Tom married his hometown sweetheart, Judith G. Gibaszek. As Tom's 
career progressed, the Janises raised four children--Christopher, 
Greer, Michael, and Jonathan. Tom's legacy of service lives on as two 
of his children are also Servicemen--Christopher is an Army Aviator, 
and Michael is in the Army Reserves. We all grieve Tom's loss and the 
entire Janis family will be in our prayers through these difficult 
days. Tom was one of Alabama's best and we shall truly miss him.

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