[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E508-E509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING COLONEL THOMAS MURPHY ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE WESTERMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2026

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Colonel Thomas 
Murphy of the United States Army as he concludes a distinguished career 
of service to our Nation. As Chief of the Army's House Liaison 
Division, Colonel Murphy has been an invaluable partner to my office 
and a tremendous advocate for the priorities of the U.S. Army.
  Colonel Murphy's leadership and counsel have been instrumental in 
supporting critical national security interests in my home state of 
Arkansas and across the country. Notably, he worked with my office to 
ensure support for the Pine Bluff Arsenal. The Arsenal is the only 
active-duty Army installation in Arkansas and is a cornerstone of our 
defense industrial base, with a workforce of approximately 850 
personnel and an economic impact of $141 million annually to the 
region. His efforts directly contributed to the recent landmark $1.3

[[Page E509]]

billion investment to modernize the installation, securing its vital 
role for decades to come.
  Colonel Murphy also provided crucial support to the House Committee 
on Natural Resources, offering expertise on legislative matters where 
Department of War and Army interests intersected with the committee's 
jurisdiction over federal lands and resources. His insights were 
particularly valuable during a Congressional Delegation I led to 
Southeast Asia. His deep knowledge of the INDO-PACIFIC region, honed 
over years of service, provided essential context and clarity that 
greatly benefited the delegation.
  Colonel Murphy's exemplary career is a testament to his unwavering 
commitment to our Nation. A native of Rockville, Maryland, he was 
commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery upon 
graduating from Providence College. His record of service includes 
commanding the 17th Field Artillery Brigade, where he led the 
establishment of the Army's first Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Battery. 
He has served with distinction around the globe including three combat 
deployments in Afghanistan, two in Iraq, and in the INDO-PACIFIC, where 
he worked to deter aggression and build partnerships with the United 
States.
  Colonel Murphy embodies the highest qualities of military service. 
His leadership, integrity, and dedication have left a lasting impact on 
the United States Army and our Nation. I extend my deepest gratitude to 
Colonel Thomas Murphy, his wife, and his family for their sacrifice and 
commitment throughout his honorable career. I wish him all the best as 
he embarks on a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement and thank him 
for his service to our Nation.

                          ____________________