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Congressional Daily Record
This section is a tribute, commemoration, or district-facing statement. It mentions members such as Brian Babin. Extensions of Remarks are statements submitted for the official record, even if they were not spoken live on the floor.
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June 29, 2026
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Extensions of Remarks
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHON. BRIAN BABIN
of texas
in the house of representatives
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of David H. Henderson, Jr., a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, Marine, attorney, and faithful servant of God whose life was defined by service, integrity, humility, and love.
community, and his family. While many knew him for his distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps and the Department of Justice, those closest to him knew him as something even greater, a devoted husband and father, a trusted mentor, a man of deep faith, and someone who quietly made the lives of others better every day.
Born to David H. Henderson, Sr., a retired United States Air Force Major, and Florence Steciak Henderson, David grew up in Oklahoma, earning the rank of Eagle Scout before graduating from Del City High School. Even at a young age, he displayed the leadership that would define his life, serving as president of both his junior and senior classes and captain of the debate team.
where he excelled both academically and in the military. Upon earning his bachelor's degree, he received the Marine Corps Sword as the top Marine graduate in his class. Following Officer Candidate School, the Marine Corps selected him to attend the University of Oklahoma College of Law. There, he graduated with honors and was inducted into the prestigious Order of the Coif, an honor reserved for the Nation's finest law students.
States Marine Corps, David served as a military attorney, handling numerous nationally significant cases. Among the most notable was his representation of Sergeant Clayton Lonetree in the espionage case later chronicled in Rodney Barker's Dancing with the Devil. Barker described David as a laid-back Oklahoman who appeared more interested in hunting and fishing than courtroom battles, cautioning readers that “it was a mistake to underestimate him.” Beneath that easygoing demeanor was a brilliant legal mind, sound judgment, and quiet confidence that earned the admiration of colleagues and opponents alike.
serviceman who returned after two decades away in hopes of seeing his dying father. Later, he represented a Marine captain at Guantanamo Bay in a case that would eventually inspire the film A few Good Men.
Pierce, the brother of First Lady Barbara Bush, during the Presidential inaugural festivities. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1990 as a Major.
His commitment to justice did not end with military service. After retiring from the Marine Corps, David became the first Public Defender appointed to serve the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, along with the surrounding counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, and King George. In 1992, he joined the Office of the United States Attorney under U.S. Attorney Bob Wortham and faithfully served for two decades as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas.
treating every person with dignity and respect. He had little interest in accolades for their own sake. Instead, he measured success by the quality of one's work, the strength of one's character, and the impact one had on the lives of others. Those values guided every aspect of his life.
caring for livestock, or mentoring his children, David believed that anything worthwhile required effort. He taught his family that no job was beneath them and that honest work, done well, was among life's greatest virtues.
At the center of David's life was his beloved wife, Lois. He often remarked that he was the luckiest man in the world and never quite understood how someone as wonderful as Lois had chosen him. Their marriage was marked by unwavering love, enduring friendship, steadfast faith, and complete devotion. Together, they built a home filled with laughter, compassion, and example, teaching their children and grandchildren what a faithful and loving marriage looks like.
David also had a lifelong love for his Brittany bird dogs. He spent countless hours
hunting, training, and caring for them. Though the dogs did not always share his enthusiasm for following instructions, they remained treasured family members and brought him immeasurable joy.
In retirement, David devoted himself to serving others in new ways. For eight years, he volunteered at the Gib Lewis Prison, counseling inmates battling addiction and helping them find hope, purpose, and redemption. He helped establish the Bridges to Life program under the direction of Father Frank Rossi and became deeply involved in restorative justice and prison ministry. In recognition of his extraordinary volunteer service, the State of Texas honored him in 2020.
Pines Catholic Church in Woodville, Texas. He faithfully served as a SCAP minister, cantor, Eucharistic minister, lector, choir member, and participated extensively in ACTS retreats and St. Maximilian Kolbe Prison Retreats. As a Third Degree Knight of Columbus, he found profound purpose in living out his faith through service.
Perhaps the simplest way to describe David Henderson is this: he spent his life helping people.
defending a client, prosecuting a case, mentoring a child, comforting a prisoner, serving his church, supporting his family, or simply returning shopping carts in a parking lot because he thought it might make someone else's day a little easier, David consistently chose service over self.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David H. Henderson, Sr. and Florence Steciak Henderson.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Lois Badeaux Henderson; his daughters, Mary Henderson Grimes and her husband, Sean Grimes, of Kingwood, Texas, and Anne Henderson of Paris, France; his stepdaughter, Dr. Jessica Bergen and her husband, Dr. Edward Bergen, of Lake Charles, Louisiana; his stepson, Michael DeJohn, Jr. and his wife, Aubrey DeJohn, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; his cherished grandchildren, Olivia, Sophia, and Emma Bergen; Lola and Sully Grimes; and Adler DeJohn; his beloved sister, Jeanne Henderson; and countless extended family members, friends, colleagues, parishioners, and former clients whose lives were forever enriched by his kindness, wisdom, and guidance.
impressive professional accomplishments but by the countless lives he touched through his example. He taught those around him to work hard, think independently, serve generously, love deeply, and walk humbly with God. His family takes comfort in knowing that the values he embodied continue to live on in the generations that follow.
Mr. Speaker, our Nation is stronger because of Americans like David H. Henderson, Jr.—men who quietly devoted their lives to faith, family, justice, and service. His legacy will endure through the countless people he mentored, the family he loved so deeply, and the example he set for all who had the privilege of knowing him.