IN HOUSE FLOOR SPECCH, CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN HONORS LATE JOURNALIST AND VETERAN, TERRY ANDERSON OF ORANGE COUNTY, FOR LIFE OF HEROISM

In House Floor Speech, Congressman Pat Ryan Honors the Late Journalist and Veteran, Terry Anderson of Orange County, for Life of Heroism

While working as a journalist in Lebanon in the 1980’s, Anderson was held hostage by Hezbollah terrorists for nearly 7 years 

Anderson went on to champion numerous humanitarian causes, including Orange County’s Rumshock Veterans Foundation, before passing away at his home in Greenwood Lake on April 21

WASHINGTON, DC  –  Today, Congressman Pat Ryan honored the late journalist, Vietnam War veteran, and humanitarian Terry Anderson for his life of heroism, bravery, and selfless service for others. In 1985, Anderson was taken hostage by Hezbollah terrorists while working in Lebanon as a journalist for the Associated Press. He survived nearly seven years of captivity and torture before being released. He went on to champion numerous humanitarian causes, including fighting veteran homelessness in Orange County on the board of the Rumshock Veterans Foundation. Anderson passed away at his home in Greenwood Lake, New York on April 21, 2024 at age 76. The entirety of Ryan’s remarks are available here. 

“Terry represented the very best of the Hudson Valley – he was an American hero in the truest sense of the word,” said Congressman Ryan. “Seven years in captivity couldn’t dampen his spirit, or lessen his desire to leave the world better than he found it. Whether building schools for children overseas, or combating veteran homelessness in Orange County, Terry’s life was one of selfless service. We are all lucky to have known him – his impact on the Hudson Valley will be felt for generations to come,”

In his speech, Ryan commemorated Anderson’s extensive life of service. Anderson served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a staff sergeant during the Vietnam War before pursuing a career in journalism. Anderson was reporting on the Lebanese Civil War as chief Middle Eastern correspondent for the Associated Press when he was abducted by Hezbollah terrorists in 1985. Following his release from Hezbollah captivity in 1991, Anderson spearheaded many humanitarian efforts, co-founding the Vietnam Children’s Fund that has built over 50 schools for children in the country that Anderson was once deployed in, serving as an Honorary Chair for the Committee to Protect Journalists, and fighting veteran homelessness in Orange County on the board of the Rumshock Veterans Foundation. 

An Iraq War veteran himself, Congressman Ryan has also worked closely with the Rumshock Veterans Foundation, recently securing $1 million for its Veterans Village Project. Ryan’s office held a celebration for the award in March.

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