[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 41 (Thursday, March 17, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E530-E531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SPOKANE VALLEY REMEMBERS BOB McCASLIN

                                  _____
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2011

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of my 
friend Bob

[[Page E531]]

McCaslin, an outstanding leader for the Spokane Valley, who sadly 
passed away on March 13. Bob was one of my colleagues in the Washington 
State Legislature--a place where he proudly served for thirty years--
and I can personally testify that he was one of our most well-liked, 
well-respected members. He will be dearly missed.
  A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, Bob McCaslin graduated from 
Washington State University, worked for Kaiser Aluminum and later owned 
a real estate firm. He was first elected to the State Senate in 1980 
and was re-elected easily every four years, sometimes with only token 
opposition. While there, he opposed most tax increases and supported 
most efforts to shrink state government.
  He also earned a reputation for being ``the master of a well-timed 
story or joke,'' as Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt recently told 
our local newspaper, the Spokane Spokesman-Review. ``Bob was always the 
one who, when things were going badly in caucus, could get things 
calmed down. He'd tell a little story.''
  At the start of this year's session, Bob was the longest serving 
Republican State Senator. However, Bob resigned his seat in January due 
to ill health. He continued serving, however, as a Spokane Valley city 
councilman. News of his passing was greeted with sadness by the Spokane 
Valley community and also by his many friends in Olympia and throughout 
Washington State--regardless of party.
  Bob McCaslin was a great leader and his passing is a great loss for 
Eastern Washington. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Bob's 
memory and to keep his family in their thoughts and prayers.

                          ____________________