Congratulating Larry Haskell on His Retirement
Floor Speech
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Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Larry Haskell, Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney, who recently announced his retirement after more than a decade of dedicated service.
Larry's career is a testament to true public service. Before serving as a prosecutor, he was a B-1 and B-52 pilot in the U.S. Air Force and a lieutenant colonel who answered the call to duty after 9/11, serving bravely in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
After retiring from the military in 2005, Larry returned to Spokane to continue his work in the prosecuting attorney's office, where he was elected in 2014 and has since dedicated himself to justice in our community.
Over the years, Larry has tackled some of the toughest cases--murder, assaults, gun crimes, gangs, witness intimidation--always with integrity and unwavering commitment to public service.
Larry once said that being elected to his office was one of the greatest honors of his life, and it is clear he poured his heart and soul into this work. He also showed wisdom and humility, knowing when it is time to pass the torch.
As Larry steps into retirement, I thank him for his courage, dedication, and service, both in uniform and in the courtroom. Spokane County and our entire region owe Larry Haskell a debt of gratitude.
I congratulate Larry on a job well done and wish him all the best in his next chapter. Firefighters Run Toward Danger
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Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart not just to speak but to mourn, to honor, and to demand that we never grow numb to the unimaginable loss suffered by those who dedicate their lives to protecting ours.
Every day, nearly 1 million volunteer and career firefighters across our country suit up, knowing they may not return home. They run toward danger when many others run away.
They give up holidays, time with their children, and nights of sleep so we can live safely.
Today, I rise to honor three of them, three men from the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire & Rescue who answered the call of duty and paid the price for their courage in an act of senseless and evil violence.
Mr. Speaker, Battalion Chiefs John Morrison and Frank Harwood were not only respected leaders in the fire service, they were pillars of the Coeur d'Alene community. They were proud husbands, fathers, and friends. They were the kind of men who showed up before anyone asked, who did the work no one saw, and who led not with titles but with strength and humility.
Gabe Eckert, president of Local 710, recalled his last memory with John Morrison. They were just two men on the patio, quietly drinking beers and talking about their dads.
That is who these men were, constantly striving to serve the public and the people closest to them. We lost more than firefighters. We lost role models.
Engineer David Tysdal was also critically injured in the attack. He has now endured three major surgeries. By God's grace, he is steadily recovering. If he is listening today, we encourage David to stay strong. He carries the prayers of gratitude of a nation with him.
Mr. Speaker, this violence was not just a tragedy. It was an outrage. An attack on these men was an attack on the very fabric of our community. That anyone would target them with such brutality should chill us to the bone.
The deaths of John Morrison and Frank Harwood and the injury of David Tysdal are a devastating reminder of the cost of service.
To the loved ones mourning these brave men, no words will ever be enough. May they find comfort in knowing their courage echoes far beyond Coeur d'Alene.
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