[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 107 (Thursday, June 25, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E623-E624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO TAYLOR COLE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2026

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
Taylor Cole, an American patriot who made incredible contributions to 
our national defense, who was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident in 
the Cajon Pass on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Taylor served as the Chief 
Technology Officer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona 
Division and will be deeply missed.
  After earning a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at the 
University of California, Riverside, Taylor began his career at NSWC 
Corona in 2003 as a mechanical engineer. Taylor's work and creative 
approach to complex Navy challenges took him across the globe, 
including as a tactical mathematician working side-by-side with 
deployed service members. He developed an entirely novel method to 
predict the patterns of improvised explosive devices in response to 
attacks to servicemembers in Afghanistan and Iraq. His exceptional 
service earned him the Global War on Terrorism medal--a rare 
achievement for a civilian--and selection as a Chief of Naval 
Operations Strategic Studies Fellow. A visionary leader and 
intellectual trailblazer, Taylor rose to become Chief Technology 
Officer in 2018. In this role, he fearlessly led the command's research 
and development programs, drove the command's culture of innovation, 
and mentored college students from his alma mater in solving naval 
problems.

[[Page E624]]

  In his personal life, Taylor lived life to the absolute fullest. He 
was a seven-time national skydiving champion and a member of the United 
States Parachute Team. Taylor was also considered one of the top BASE 
jumpers in the world, with more than seventeen years of active jumping 
and over a thousand jumps to his name. He jumped from the world's 
largest glass-bottom skywalk in Chongqing, China, 2,300 feet over the 
Yangtze River, as well as a speed-flying descent off Cucamonga Peak, 
launching from 8,800 feet.
  Taylor is survived by his daughter, Tessa Cole; mother, Sherde Cole; 
sisters, Lori Pucci and husband, Steve, Stefani Cole Waters and 
husband, Patrick; niece and nephews, Cole Bertz, Katelyn and Andrew 
Pucci, Ozzy Waters, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. I 
extend my personal and heartfelt condolences to the Cole family, his 
friends, colleagues, and everyone fortunate enough to know Taylor. 
Although he may be gone, the many contributions he made to our national 
security and country will make a long lasting impact.

                          ____________________