[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 165 (Thursday, September 23, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING LARRY DEAN MORSE II

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2021

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Larry Dean Morse II 
of Merced, California. Mr. Morse passed away on September 14th and 
lived a life of public service through his work as the 30th District 
Attorney of Merced County.
  Mr. Morse was born on March 20, 1957 to Larry Morse, Sr. and Saranne 
Morse and grew up in Lancaster, California. After graduating high 
school, Mr. Morse attended the University of Arkansas where he majored 
in journalism and wrote for the school paper, which in 1979 landed him 
a job as a reporter for the Arkansas Democrat. While in Little Rock, 
Mr. Morse met Cindy Robertson, who he would later go on to marry.
  In 1981, Mr. Morse moved to Washington, D.C. to work as a Press 
Secretary and Legislative Aide to Congressman Bob Whittaker, beginning 
his career in politics and public service. After a couple of years in 
Washington, Mr. Morse decided to follow in his father's footsteps and 
moved to Sacramento to attend the University of the Pacific McGeorge 
School of Law, which he attended with his wife Cindy. While in law 
school, he continued his public service, working as the Communications 
Director for the Senate Democratic Caucus and after earning his J.D., 
as Legislative Director for State senator Milton Marks.
  Mr. Morse began his work as a trial attorney in 1993 when he moved to 
Merced to work as a member of the Merced County District Attorney's 
office, where he quickly rose through the ranks and in 1998 was 
appointed as the Chief Deputy District Attorney. In 2006, Mr. Morse was 
elected as the Merced County District attorney.
  Mr. Morse's time as District Attorney was his biggest source of 
professional pride. During his tenure, he personally prosecuted the 
most cases out of his counterparts in many counties, including almost 
20 murder cases. Additionally, he started the Violence Interruption and 
Prevention and Emergency Response (VIPER) program to marshal law 
enforcement intelligence resources to provide better information to 
officers on patrols and in investigations. After serving as the Merced 
County DA, Mr. Morse continued his public service as the Legislative 
Director for the California District Attorneys Association.
  As one who was always civically engaged, Mr. Morse was a member of 
Merced Elks Lodge 1240, Los Banos Sportsman's Association, E Clampus 
Vitus, and founding member of the Merced Boys and Girls Club. Most 
notably, he played a vital role on the committee that brought a 
University of California campus to Merced.
  Mr. Morse loved spending time with his family and was a devoted 
husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed traveling with his wife of 
35 years Cindy and sons Dylan, Ethan, and Ryan, instilling ``The Golden 
Rule'' and a love of reading music. After Ethan's tragic death, he was 
comforted having his granddaughter Ava along with family and friends 
over to his house, which was a sanctuary to him and his family.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring a skilled 
prosecutor, public servant, family man, and leader whose contributions 
to the greater Merced community and State of California will be 
remembered for generations. It is both fitting and appropriate that we 
honor him as family, friends, and community leaders gather to celebrate 
the life of a man who made Merced County a better place.

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