[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 199 (Wednesday, December 21, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1332-E1333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE SELFLESS AND COURAGEOUS HUMANITARIAN ACTS OF RICHARD 
                                 CAMPOS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERRY McNERNEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 21, 2022

  Mr. McNERNEY. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing Richard Campos for his commitment and dedication to the 
people of the United States and victims of violence abroad. Through his 
selfless service and generous spirit, Richard has made a difference in 
the lives of countless individuals around the world.
  Richard was born in French Camp, California, and grew up in nearby 
Stockton. At just

[[Page E1333]]

17 years of age, he joined the United States Marine Corps. After 
serving in the Marines Corps, Richard returned home and continued to 
serve his community as a San Joaquin County Deputy Marshall and then as 
San Joaquin County Deputy Sheriff. He concurrently enlisted in the 
National Guard and was deployed to Iraq in 2003.
  While Richard was serving in his roles with San Joaquin County, he 
befriended his colleague, Doug Taylor, and Doug's son, Mark Taylor. 
Richard was inspired by Mark, a successful surgeon who decided that he 
needed to help not only his country but also innocent victims of war 
abroad. With this passion, Mark joined the United States Army, serving 
with the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq. Tragically, Lieutenant Colonel 
Mark Taylor was killed in action in Fallujah, Iraq. Doug was 
heartbroken and shortly passed after his son's death. Richard was 
grief-stricken by the passing of his friends and decided to make it his 
life's mission to honor both Doug and Mark.
  Richard recalled stories told by Mark of the great need for 
humanitarian aid in Iraq. One day while reading the newspaper, he was 
moved by a story about a children's hospital in Basra, Iraq that was 
left unbuilt, leaving the children without access to medical care. He 
felt compelled to act and started making phone calls. Although it took 
nearly two years to secure supplies and find transportation for this 
mission, in 2009 he was able to personally deliver almost 5 million 
dollars' worth of medical supplies to the hospital. Following this 
experience, Richard felt he needed to do more, and decided that 
providing whatever aid he could to civilians in a warzone was the best 
way to pay homage to the lives of his belated friends, Doug and Mark.
  When Richard delivered supplies to Basra, he learned of the great 
need for humanitarian aid in Kurdistan in northern Iraq. From 2010 to 
2014, Richard traveled back and forth from the United States to Iraq to 
bring much-needed supplies to the Kurdish minority in that region. 
Richard operated as a one-man team and paid for the supplies and trips 
out of his own pocket.
  In 2014, ISIL started to gain ground in Iraq, so Richard turned his 
attention to the plight of the Yazidis in Iraq. Yazidis, especially 
women and children, were systematically persecuted by ISIL forces. 
Richard visited refugee camps and asked what the people needed. 
Everything from medical supplies to warm clothing was requested. 
Richard, without hesitation, went to work again, journeying back and 
forth from the United States to Iraq to bring supplies and aid. He 
traveled at least twice a year to provide lifesaving help to the 
Yazidis.
  Aside from aid and supplies, Richard also brought attention to the 
plight of refugees through his documentary, ``The Longest Road.'' He 
traveled the world recounting his firsthand experiences and sharing how 
ordinary people can step up to help others in need. Along the way, 
Richard was able to make new friends and acquaintances who helped him 
on his journey of service.
  In February of 2022, as war broke out in Ukraine, Richard was once 
again drawn to help. He took a detour while returning from Iraq to 
visit Ukraine. There, he found himself in a church with Ukrainian 
civilians and promised them that he would return with help, and as he 
had done before, Richard went back home to secure supplies. He kept his 
promise, delivering aid to the people of Ukraine.
  To this day, Richard continues to help people around the world. He 
first served his country as a solider and law enforcement officer and 
now serves the world as a humanitarian. Richard Campos is the epitome 
of heroism and selflessness, and to that end, I ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing him for his distinguished service.

                          ____________________