[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H3677-H3678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DARREL THOMAS

  (Mr. Baird of Indiana was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Darrel Thomas, who 
passed away on May 13, 2026.
  A proud U.S. Navy veteran, Darrel proudly served our Putnam County 
communities throughout his life. Darrel was a former member and 
president of the Putnam County Council. He served the 4-H community in 
numerous capacities, was a 4-H Hall of Fame inductee in 2021, and 
worked for 31 years as a 4-H extension agent for Putnam County.
  Darrel also served on the parks and recreation board. For his service 
in his community, he was the recipient of the State of Indiana's 
Sagamore of the Wabash Valley Award.
  Darrel is survived by two daughters and his many grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Darrel for his tremendous service to Putnam 
County and to our outstanding students. May he rest in peace.


                     Congratulating Lynne S. Taylor

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Lynne S. Taylor, the 
Retter Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy at Purdue University, who 
recently received the prestigious Research Ireland St. Patrick's Day 
medal for 2026.
  This is an award given to permanent academic and industry leaders and 
researchers with strong Irish roots. The Irish leader, Taoiseach 
Micheal Martin, said Professor Taylor is ``helping to shape the future 
of medicine and strengthen international relationships.''
  Professor Taylor's research has been foundational for solubility-
enabling technologies, helping develop lifesaving treatments for 
diseases like hepatitis C and cancer. She has become an international 
expert in drug formulation science, and her work will surely save and 
have an enduring impact on the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I am so proud that this outstanding scientist is getting 
her recognition for her work.


                        Honoring Richard McClain

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Richard McClain. 
Rich McClain was born and raised in Logansport, Indiana, served in the 
U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1968, and graduated from Purdue University in 
1970.
  Rich was an active member of his community, volunteering at his 
church, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Neal Home Board, the 
Mental Health Association, and as the chairman of the Iron Horse 
Festival in 1985.
  Rich served at the Indiana State House from 1994 to 2012, where he 
was known as ``Squeezer'' because he printed toothpaste squeezers 
during elections.
  Rich is survived by a loving family, his wife, Barrie; sons, Jeff and 
Nate; and five grandchildren, Brandt, Lauran, Clark, Katie, and Saylor; 
a great-grandson, Warner, as well as siblings and extended family.
  Mr. Speaker, my prayers are with the family and friends of Rich. May 
he rest in peace.


               Honoring Richard Frazier and Robert Thorne

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, as Memorial Day approaches, I am reminded of 
those whom I served with in Vietnam. Two have names etched in the 
Vietnam Memorial, Richard Frazier and Robert

[[Page H3678]]

Thorne. I would like to speak about the two of them today.
  We were in a convoy hauling supplies on the road to Khe Sanh. My 
unit, the 523rd Transportation Company, used 5-ton gun trucks mounted 
with .50 caliber machine guns in order to protect the convoys. These 
gun trucks were made with scrounged-up armor. You could take an armor 
plate, then a layer of sandbags, and then another set of iron plates to 
make them work. We had to do with what we had.
  Richard Frazier was a gunner on a truck called Satan's Lil Angel. He 
was killed in action on February 20, 1971, during an ambush near the 
DMZ in South Vietnam.
  Robert Thorne was a driver for a truck named Proud American. I was 
riding with Robert on March 3, 1971, when two B-40 rockets hit the 
truck.
  Robert Thorne steered Proud American into a mountain bank rather than 
going over an embankment down to the river below. That saved all of us.
  Unfortunately, Robert Thorne lost his life. He was 21. It was in this 
truck that I was wounded, and I lost my arm.
  There are no words to describe the loss of those men. I strive every 
day to honor their memory and sacrifice, and to live my life as a 
testament to theirs.
  I love this country, and I feel duty-bound to keep America free and 
prosperous. On this Memorial Day, we honor those who fought and died so 
that we can live in freedom.
  We cannot forget the sacrifices of men like Robert and Richard. They 
saved my life and the lives of fellow soldiers. They are heroes, and 
their courage is an example to all of us.

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