The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE OF COLONEL HOUSTON T. ``TERRY'' HAWKINS, RET. USAF
______
HON. JEFF DUNCAN
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Colonel Houston T. ``Terry'' Hawkins, who made his trip home on June 14, 2021, with his wife, Martha Butts Hawkins by his side.
Born in Seneca, South Carolina, Colonel Hawkins was known by his friends and family as ``Terry.'' In 1959, Terry graduated from Seneca High School with honors and went on to further his education at Clemson College, which is now known as Clemson University. There, he was a member of the ROTC program and graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1963. Following his graduation, he was stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (AFB) in Dayton, Ohio. While on leave, he asked Martha Butts on a date, which began a beautiful and lifelong love. The two were married on October 3, 1965, and later welcomed two beautiful daughters into the world. He was a devoted disciple of Christ and a member of the White Rock Baptist Church.
In 1967, Terry was stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan to serve in the Vietnam War. After returning home to the U.S., Terry and Martha moved to several different locations as he rose through the ranks within the United States Air Force (USAF). Terry was later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel which brought his family to the Washington, D.C. area where he completed three consecutive assignments. Terry became the leader of the Defense Intelligence Agency's Nuclear Energy Division from 1979 to 1983. After, he served as the Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Air Force Nuclear Matters, then transferred to the Defense Nuclear Agency in 1987. Finally, Terry joined the Los Alamos National Laboratory where he served our great nation for 30 more years. Terry received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, most notably the Chief Justice Earl Warren Medallion awarded by the CIA. He will be laid to rest on June 23, in his hometown of Seneca.
Reflecting on the life of Colonel Hawkins, I am reminded strongly of the verse John 15:13: ``Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.'' From a young age, Colonel Hawkins selflessly and nobly served his country. I am proud of the leadership and service Colonel Hawkins showed.
Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to be able to serve the Third District of South Carolina and to honor the lives of patriots like Colonel Hawkins. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this time
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 109
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