[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22975]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF THE SERVICE OF AMERICA'S UNSUNG HERO, THOMAS A. O'ROURKE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, on June 26, 2007, the world 
lost one of America's unsung heroes when Thomas A. O'Rourke, originally 
of Ramsey, New Jersey, succumbed to a bone marrow disease known as 
Myelodysplastic syndrome.
  At the height of the Vietnam war, Tom O'Rourke sought out service to 
his nation, as both his mother and father had done before him. During 
college, Tom attended United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate 
School. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and sent to flight 
school in Pensacola, Florida, where he earned his ``Wings of Gold.'' As 
a naval aviator, he headed off to Vietnam to fly AH-1G Cobra 
helicopters.
  Tom retired as a captain and went to work for Bell Helicopter 
International as a test pilot and then as manager for their Maintenance 
Test Flight Division in Iran. In the true spirit of lifelong allegiance 
to the values of the Corps and to his comrades still serving and yet to 
serve, he ensured the safety and effectiveness of their aviation 
equipment from his new place in the private sector. Tom later worked as 
the contracting administrator for the Arabian American Oil Company 
(ARAMCO) and then in a number of capacities for the Jamestown S'Klallam 
Tribe in Washington State, protecting the natural resources of those 
lush lands.
  Tom also found time to pursue personal interests, like scuba diving, 
travel, and softball--both as player and as coach. He spent a wonderful 
life with his wife of 28 years, Lohna; his son Kevin Thomas O'Rourke 
and his wife Casey; and his beautiful granddaughter, Mallie. Tom's son 
not only carries on his father's name, but also the proud family 
tradition of service as a pilot in the United States Marine Corps.
  Tom O'Rourke's place in this world is not easily filled; he touched 
so many lives with such sincerity of spirit. But his courage and 
determination and sense of fellowship live on with his family and 
friends. And, I join them in celebrating this heroic life.

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