[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 26, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S1465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Remembering Jason Baker

  Madam President, I come here today in a sad time. As I speak, about 
right now in Montana, a funeral is beginning for Jason Baker.
  Jason was originally from Fort Benton, MT, which is a town right down 
the road from where I live in Big Sandy. Jason was a firefighter. Jason 
passed away on February 20, early in the morning. He was far, far too 
young--the age of 45. He had been a firefighter for 16 years with Great 
Falls Fire Rescue. He was incredibly talented and incredibly 
professional, and he was somebody who loved being a firefighter. His 
life of public service, whether it was helping out kids or helping out 
adults or helping out communities, was a part of who he was as a 
person.
  Jason was also married to my wife's cousin Jill. They have two 
children, Peyton and Porter, whose hearts have to be aching. This day 
is a day, I am sure, that they had to have planned for the last 3 or so 
years after his diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer. I guess it was 2 
years ago.
  I have a number of memories of Jason from my days in the State 
legislature, when he showed up as a relatively young firefighter, to my 
days as a U.S. Senator, when he showed up to my offices here in 
Washington, DC, to advocate for firefighters' issues. More important 
than all of that, Jason was a friend. He happened to also be a 
relative. He was somebody who, when his wife's grandfather passed away 
and they had the funeral up in Havre, was at the height of who he was 
as a human being. He wasn't sick and hadn't been diagnosed with 
anything. He was just vibrant and full of life.
  With cancer's being the disease that it is, it was a struggle for 
him, as it is for anybody who gets it. He was somebody who fought that 
disease bravely and proudly, but in the end, it took him. It took him 
last Wednesday, early in the morning. We were driving to Great Falls, 
and my wife sent a little message to Jill that read our hearts were 
with them because we knew that Jason wasn't good. She sent back a text 
with hearts, and that was it. He had already passed.
  In the end, though, as I think back on Jason's life, there are some 
lyrics to a song that say ``Only the good die young.'' It could not be 
any more true than with Jason Baker. If the world were full of Jason 
Bakers, this would be a better world, but life happens, and you have to 
get through it.
  I am sure that Jill and Peyton and Porter will think back and 
remember their dad proudly as he served proudly as a firefighter, as a 
public servant--as somebody who ran to danger while other people were 
running away from it.
  As they proceed with the ceremony today in Montana--and it is 
happening as I speak--just know, Jill, Peyton, Porter, and all of the 
firefighters who are there, that we are very proud of your dad and his 
service and what he fought for.
  Two years ago, there was a bill in the Montana Legislature on 
presumptive illness for firefighters. I do not believe Jason would have 
contracted cancer if not for his job, if not for the kinds of fumes he 
breathed when he protected neighborhoods and families. I think it is 
only right that when people sacrifice for their communities, we 
sacrifice for them. Two years ago, the legislature did not pass that 
presumptive illness bill. I think it made a mistake.
  When I gave my speech to the House of Representatives in the Montana 
Legislature, one of the points I made in that speech was that they 
needed to pass the presumptive healthcare bill for firefighters. Jason 
was alive when I gave that speech, and now he has passed. I think, in 
memory of Jason Baker, at the very least, the Montana Legislature could 
pass that bill. I understand it has passed one of the houses but that 
it hasn't passed both of them. If it passes both houses, I know 
Governor Bullock will sign that bill.
  So, with that, we bid adieu to a great American, a great community 
man--somebody who literally gave it all for his country and his State 
and his town.
  We will miss you, Jason Baker.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.