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Congressional Daily Record
This section is a tribute, commemoration, or district-facing statement. It mentions members such as James Baird.
Issued
May 21, 2026
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Download official House Record PDFReturn to issue contextMr. 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.
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.”
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.