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Congressional Daily Record
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July 20, 2026
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHONORING COLONEL EUGENE K. “GENE” CONTI AND COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR
FRANK ROSSI
HON. MATT VAN EPPS
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Monday, July 20, 2026
Mr. VAN EPPS. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor two distinguished veterans and residents of Houston County, Tennessee, whose combined lifetimes of service embody the very best of our Nation's Armed Forces: Colonel Eugene K. “Gene” Conti, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired. and Command Sergeant Major Frank Rossi, U.S. Army, Retired.
Colonel Eugene K. “Gene” Conti began a distinguished 26-year career in the United States Marine Corps after earning his commission through the Platoon Leaders Class in 1977. After receiving his wings as a Naval Aviator in September 1979, he flew CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. He served on numerous operational deployments, including multiple Mediterranean tours and a critical NATO support mission. Colonel Conti later trained the next generation of Marine aviators as an instructor with Marine
logistics as an Assistant Program Manager at the Naval Air Systems Command. He went on to command Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264, leading Marines during operations in Liberia and deployments with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. After earning master's degrees from both the University of Southern California and the National Defense University, he concluded his active-duty career as Executive Officer of the Naval Aviation Depot at Cherry Point. He retired in 2003 after earning the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal.
excellence through 33 years of distinguished service in the United States Army from 1985 to 2018. He rose to the rank of Command Sergeant Major, where his leadership strengthened major military installations around the world. He served in Germany during the final years of the Cold War and later trained soldiers at Fort Jackson, Fort Moore, and Fort Liberty. During Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, he deployed to liberate Kuwait. He later completed two combat deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Throughout his career, he strengthened joint-force operations and earned some of our military's highest honors, including the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
Mr. Speaker, these men did not end their commitment to service when they retired from active duty. Today, both call Houston County, Tennessee, home, where they continue to strengthen their community. Colonel Conti serves as the dedicated Quartermaster for VFW Post 9689, while Command Sergeant Major Rossi continues to mentor fellow veterans and community members and preserves our Nation's military heritage. It is an honor to represent Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, where heroes like Colonel Conti and Command Sergeant Major Rossi continue to serve. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude for their combined 59 years of unwavering service in defense of American freedom.