[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN SAMUEL G. BRYCE, USMC

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. AMO HOUGHTON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 2004

  Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional 
officer of Marines, Captain Samuel G. Bryce. Captain Bryce will soon 
complete a highly successful two-year tour as the Marine Corps' 
Assistant Liaison Officer to the U.S. House of Representatives. It is 
truly a pleasure for me to recognize a few of his many outstanding 
achievements.
  Captain Bryce entered our Corps as a private in January 1994 after 
graduating with honors from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, 
Virginia. After graduating Recruit Training at Parris Island, he went 
on to serve as an infantryman with the Marine Corps Security Force 
Company in Rodman, Panama where he participated in Operation Safe 
Haven, a humanitarian mission in support of Cuban migrants. He followed 
this tour with service as a Non Commissioned Officer with the 
illustrious Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company in Norfolk, 
Virginia. As a squad leader with F.A.S.T., then Corporal Bryce 
participated in Operation Fairwinds in Haiti, providing convoy and site 
security for U.S. supported nation-building projects. Shortly after 
returning from Haiti, his team was dispatched to Bahrain to establish 
security at U.S. Naval facilities in response to the Khobar Towers 
bombing. During his final months with F.A.S.T. he was promoted to 
Sergeant and selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program.
  In September of 1997 he attended Officer Candidate School. Upon 
graduation he was commissioned and then sent to the Basic Officer 
Course and the Infantry Officer Course. In November of 1998 he was 
assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment where he was given 
command of 3rd Platoon, Company C. In this capacity he deployed with 
his battalion as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit where he 
participated in Operation Stabilise in East Timor. Upon return he was 
assigned as commander of the 81 mm Mortar Platoon, which he led during 
a subsequent overseas tour with the 31st MEU. During his final year 
with the battalion, he served as the Executive Officer, and ultimately 
the Commanding Officer of Weapons Company.
  Completing this tour in March 2002, Captain Bryce was assigned as the 
Marine Corps' Assistant Liaison Officer to the U.S. House of 
Representatives. For the past two years he has expertly represented the 
Marine Corps on Capitol Hill and contributed enormously to the success 
of the Liaison Office's mission. His skills and diligent attention to 
duty enabled him to successfully lead five Staff Delegations to every 
major Marine Corps facility in the United States, assisting 
Congressional staff in learning how the Marine Corps fights, trains, 
and lives. The reputation he earned on these evolutions was such that 
he was also given the task of leading several Congressional Delegations 
overseas, including my own to Malaysia and the first into Haiti after 
the new President took power.
  The real strength or Captain Bryce's time on Capitol Hill was felt 
through his education and outreach activities. He organized monthly 
briefs for staff members to assist them in understanding the 
capabilities and program needs of the Corps, and was the driving force 
behind the Capitol Hill Running Club. Under his leadership the club 
grew to nearly 100 runners and has seen unprecedented success in 
preparing members for running the Marine Corps Marathon. As he leaves, 
there will be a large gap for the Marine Corps to fill on Capitol Hill. 
His initiative, leadership, and tireless efforts as the Assistant House 
Liaison Officer have had a lasting impact on improving the war fighting 
capabilities and the quality of life for Marines throughout the Marine 
Corps. Most importantly, he has epitomized all of those qualities that 
America has come to expect of her Marines--absolutely impeccable 
integrity, moral character and professionalism.
  As he reports to his next assignment as a student at the 
Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia I want wish him, his 
lovely wife Stacey, and their new son Griffin continuing success. Fair 
winds and following seas, Marine.

                          ____________________