[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 2 (Thursday, January 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E42]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     NAMING THE THOMAS S. FOLEY FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES 
                COURTHOUSE AND THE WALTER F. HORAN PLAZA

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. GEORGE R. NETHERCUTT, JR.

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Speaker, today I have introduced legislation, 
designating the federal building located at West 920 Riverside Avenue, 
Spokane, Washington, as the ``Thomas S. Foley Federal Building and 
United States Courthouse.'' The bill also designates the plaza located 
immediately in front of the building as the ``Walter F. Horan Plaza.'' 
Rep. Foley had offices in this building and Rep. Horan was instrumental 
in securing funding for its construction.
  Many Members will recall the long and distinguished career of Rep. 
Tom Foley, who now serves as our nation's Ambassador to Japan. Mr. 
Foley was a Member of this body for 30 years, concluding his service as 
Speaker of the House in the 103rd Congress. He also served as Speaker 
in the 102nd Congress, and in prior years held positions as Majority 
Leader, Majority Whip, and as Chairman of the House Agriculture 
Committee.
  Mr. Foley personified the high ideals to which all of us aspire as 
Members of Congress. First and foremost he was a gentleman who sought 
consensus among all Members. He loved Congress, believing it to be the 
best forum for democracy in the world.
  Tom Foley is a native son of Spokane, Washington, having attended 
local schools earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the 
University of Washington. His parents were dignified and highly 
respected citizens of Spokane. He was first elected to Congress in 1964 
and served in the House for 30 years. In 1997 he was nominated by 
President Clinton and confirmed by the Senate to serve as Ambassador to 
Japan.
  Tom Foley was--and continues to be--widely regarded in eastern 
Washington State and has left a lasting legacy.
  Today we also honor another native son, Walter F. Horan. He served 22 
years--spanning the years 1943 to 1965--as the Congressman from eastern 
Washington. He was born in a log cabin on the banks of the Wenatchee 
River in an area settled by his father, a fact he proudly boasted of, 
raised in Wenatchee, served in the Navy during the First World War, 
graduated from Washington State University in Pullman, and returned to 
Wenatchee to raise apples on his family farm.
  Following election to Congress he served on several committees, but 
for most of his tenure he sat on the Appropriations Committee, rising 
to third in seniority on the Republican side. He paid particularly 
close attention to agriculture and conservation interests and continued 
to share in the operation of his family farm while serving in Congress.
  Rep. Horan was a consummate advocate of western interests, especially 
those of eastern Washington, and he also conducted himself with dignity 
and honor as a Member of Congress. He died in 1966 and is buried in his 
beloved hometown of Wenatchee.

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