[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 2, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                 IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF COULSON TOUGH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2022

  Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the distinguished 
life and public service of my dear friend Mr. Coulson Tough. He 
dedicated his life to improving his community and country and ushered 
an idea of The Woodlands into one of the top places to live in the 
country.
  At age 17, Coulson eagerly enlisted in the Army Air Corps, now known 
as the Air Force, where he served in Germany and France. After 
returning home, he attended the University of Michigan where he earned 
his bachelor's degree in Architecture and met his adoring wife Colleen 
Bohn. Coulson and Colleen then headed west to California to start their 
life together, and became parents to two wonderful children, Bruce and 
Cindy.
  Mr. Tough spent the first 16 years of his career in architecture in 
California, where he designed a barn remodel for future president 
Ronald Reagan. In 1968, Coulson made the courageous decision to move 
his family to Texas, where he served as the Vice President of 
Facilities and Operations at the University of Houston. This is where 
Mr. Tough met George Mitchell, the founder of The Woodlands, and 
together, they created a thriving community.
  Mr. Tough showcased his passion for architecture and, while working 
alongside Mr. Mitchell, as Vice President of Building Development for 
The Woodlands, helped bring his vision of a master planned community to 
life. The leadership and service of these two men undoubtedly made The 
Woodlands into what it is today.
  Around The Woodlands, citizens are reminded of Coulson's legacy. He 
helped build 130 buildings and pioneered the procurement of public art 
across the community. His favorite art piece was a sculpture of a 
reclining boy termed ``The Dreamer,'' which resides at the intersection 
of West Panther Creek Drive and The Woodlands Parkway.
  Mr. Tough's ideas live beyond his work as an architect. His 
dedication to serving his community was evident through his involvement 
in the Rotary Club, The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church, the 
Conroe ISD Board, and The Woodlands Chamber of Commerce, where he hired 
me as President. In addition to serving as a Trustee on the Conroe ISD 
Board, he was honored to have a school in The Woodlands named after 
him, Coulson Tough Elementary.
  Mr. Tough's most recent project was to design and construct the 
Mitchell Physics Building and the Institute for Fundamental Physics and 
Astronomy at Texas A&M University. Coulson retired at the age of 77, 
but continued consulting on projects both in The Woodlands and 
Galveston, Texas.
  While we mourn with the Tough family, we also celebrate the life, 
service, and legacy that will live throughout our community for years 
to come. I am proud to join Mr. Tough's family, friends, and the entire 
Woodland's community in honoring his life and devotion to public 
service. May God bless Coulson Tough.

                          ____________________