[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H3247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
        TRIBUTE TO MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GARY ``DOC'' WELT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Jolly) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American hero, 
a quiet legend in the special operations community and in military 
medicine, Master Chief Petty Officer Gary ``Doc'' Welt.
  Doc Welt passed away on April 8 due to complications of ALS. He 
passed away in Seminole, Florida, surrounded by his family. He was only 
55 years old. He dedicated his life to service--service to his country, 
to his family, to those in the ALS community, and service to his 
brotherhood of special operators.
  He joined the Navy in 1976, becoming a Navy SEAL in 1980, proudly 
serving on SEAL Teams 2, 4, and 8. He also served instructor tours at 
the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and the Naval Special 
Warfare Center. After retiring in 2006 as a USSOCOM senior enlisted 
medical adviser, Doc continued to serve as a contract specialist, 
conducting counterterrorism and counter-piracy operations until 2012.
  Doc is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Brenda Ann Thompson 
Welt; his son, Robert; his daughters, Crystal Lynn Elliott and Sabrina 
Audell Ranford; his brothers, Robert Welt and Donald Wolford; as well 
as his four grandchildren, Lillian, Meadow, Andon, and Michael.
  Mr. Speaker, two communities gathered at MacDill Air Force Base last 
week. One was the community of Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area, 
who knew and loved Doc. The second community was the special operations 
community, who loved Doc. It was a fitting tribute to a great man.
  Today, we honor his life, his legacy, and his service. We pledge and 
commit to carry on the fight that Doc fought against ALS. We commit to 
not quitting until that fight is won.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to pay tribute to a great man from 
Seminole, Florida, who had an impact across this world.

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