[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 78 (Friday, April 24, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF THOMAS EDGAR MORGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 24, 2020

  Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of a long-time Lone Star lawman and Marine Corps veteran, Lieutenant 
Thomas Edgar ``Tom'' Morgan of the Harris County Sheriffs Office 
Reserves who passed away Monday, April 20, 2020 at the age of ninety-
nine. At age ninety-eight, Lt. Morgan was Texas' oldest licensed peace 
officer at the time of his retirement in 2018.
  Tom Morgan was born on September 20, 1920 to Claude Jefferson Morgan 
and Connie Kenington Morgan in Bossier City, Louisiana. Growing up poor 
during the Great Depression and having to work hard in order to survive 
developed a tremendous work ethic and sense of patriotism in young Tom 
Morgan.
  In 1942, Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 
twenty-one. During World War II, Tom saw action in the South Pacific 
during the invasions of Saipan, Guadalcanal, and Okinawa. In addition 
to surviving these invasions, Tom also survived the sinking of his 
transport ship and malaria during wartime. Tom remained on active duty 
in the Marine Corps until 1946 and later served for three months during 
the Korean War as a Reservist.
  Following his military service, while in college in Louisiana, Tom 
met his wife Pat during a visit to Houston. He transferred to the 
University of Houston to complete a degree in Mechanical Engineering 
and to be near Pat. They married in 1947 and raised their family of 
three children in Pasadena, Texas. Tom had a distinguished career as a 
pipeline engineer for Gulf State Engineering for many years and retired 
in 1982 at the age of 62.
  In 1992, five decades after joining the Marines and a decade after 
retirement, Tom decided to continue his service as a reserve deputy 
with the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO). At age 72, Tom was the 
oldest rookie in the Academy. Deputy Morgan served in the HSCO Marine 
Division where he patrolled the waters of Lake Houston, the San Jacinto 
River, and the Houston Ship Channel. In 2013, our mutual friend, 
Representative Ted Poe, honored Lt. Morgan when he reached 20,000 hours 
of service with the Sheriff's Office. After serving as a Reserve Deputy 
for twenty-six years, Tom Morgan retired as a Lieutenant at the age of 
ninety-eight, earning the title of the Lone Star State's oldest lawman.
  Tom reflected God's love daily in his service to others and leaves 
quite a legacy. A committed Christian, he spent much of his life as an 
active member of First Baptist Church or United City Church in Humble. 
He also enjoyed playing dominoes, dancing, and spending time with 
friends at the Humble Senior Activity Center.
  Tom is preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Nana 
Lou ``Pat'' Morgan who passed away December 26, 2008. He is survived by 
his three children: Carol Green and husband Larry of Deer Park, Kathy 
Denton of Kingwood, and Tommy Morgan Jr. and wife Betty of Baytown, 
Texas. Tom had seven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and 
two great-great-grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the family of Lieutenant Morgan 
for Tom's faithful service and devotion to his country and community. 
My thoughts and prayers remain with his family and friends.

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