[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 6, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PAT O'TOOLE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. D'Esposito). The Chair recognizes the 
gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
legacy of my friend, Mr. Pat O'Toole, a Wyoming cattle and sheep 
rancher and hay grower whose deeply rooted passion for agriculture and 
love for his community and State will never be forgotten.
  I first met Pat when he served with my father in the Wyoming House of 
Representatives. He championed numerous agriculture issues during his 
time in the State legislature and with the many organizations that he 
was a part of. He worked with several Governors' administrations to 
advocate for agriculture on the State level and testified before the 
U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on multiple occasions.
  Pat was one of the first individuals to ever call my Congressional 
office. He did so seeking help for farmers and ranchers in southwestern 
Wyoming who were experiencing record amounts of snow and winter kill. 
Because of his efforts working with State and Federal leaders, a state 
of emergency was declared for the impacted area.
  Pat, along with his wife, Sharon, and their family, operated Ladder 
Ranch in the Little Snake River Valley and were the recipients of the 
2014 Wyoming Leopold Environmental Stewardship Award. Ladder Ranch has 
been in Sharon's family since 1881, 9 years before Wyoming even became 
a State, and is an excellent tribute to the O'Tooles' devotion to 
agriculture and conservation.
  Pat loved his neighbors, cared for his community and State, and 
sacrificed his time to bless the lives of others. He passed away 
peacefully on February 25, leaving behind a legacy of selfless service 
that will be forever cherished by those who knew him.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in remembering the 
life of Mr. Pat O'Toole.


           Recognizing the Life and Legacy of Nevada Krinkee

  Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
legacy of Sergeant Nevada Krinkee, a Wyomingite who courageously 
defended our country and whose selfless service to his community will 
be remembered for generations.
  Sergeant Krinkee dedicated his life to serving others and was a proud 
member of the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army during the global 
war on terrorism. During his 8 years in the Army, Sergeant Krinkee 
earned the rank of staff sergeant and was awarded numerous accolades, 
including the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army 
Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and his Jump Master Wings.
  Following his time in the Army, Sergeant Krinkee joined the Sheridan 
Police Department as a patrol officer, where he quickly rose in the 
ranks to patrol sergeant.
  Sergeant Krinkee cared deeply for his community, our great State, his 
wife, Karla, and daughter, Bella. Although Bella may not remember her 
father, she will grow up knowing that his heroic actions protected the 
lives of all of those around her. Sergeant Krinkee's integrity, 
selflessness, and leadership will always be remembered by his 
colleagues and community.
  On February 13, Sergeant Krinkee tragically lost his life while 
serving and protecting his community.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in remembering the 
life of Sergeant Nevada Krinkee.


            Recognizing the Life and Legacy of Kelly Krause

  Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
legacy of Mr. Kelly Krause, a Wyomingite whose love for his neighbors 
and the culinary arts will continue to live on through all who knew 
him, just as Wyoming will continue to cherish him for many years to 
come.
  Kelly was a remarkable individual whose presence graced the lives of 
everyone he came across. Kelly, along with his wife, Lynette, owned a 
local Jackson eatery called the Virginian Restaurant, where his passion 
for his community was evident by all who visited. He always greeted 
guests with a smile and made them feel as if they were right at home.
  On March 1, Kelly tragically lost his life in a skiing accident. As 
his family, friends, and the Jackson community mourn his passing, 
please know that my sincere prayers and thoughts are with you.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in remembering 
the wonderful life of Kelly Krause and standing with his loved ones 
during these difficult times.


           Recognizing the Goshen County Irrigation District

  Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Goshen County 
Irrigation District's 100 years of dedicated service to Wyoming water 
users.
  The district covers hundreds of miles of laterals, drains, and canals 
and delivers water to over 52,000 acres of farmland in my State. It 
maintains and operates a portion of the Fort Laramie Canal in 
partnership with the Gering-Fort Laramie Irrigation District, improving 
the lives of farmers, ranchers, and everyone who lives in the region. 
Its work is absolutely vital to the prosperity of these local 
communities.
  Unfortunately, in July of 2019, tunnel number 2 on the Fort Laramie 
Canal collapsed, impacting more than 100,000 production acres in 
Wyoming and Nebraska and causing $89 million in economic impact. 
Updating and repairing this collapsed tunnel has been an incredibly 
arduous process, and there is still so much more work to be done. 
However, Goshen Irrigation District was both resourceful and quick to 
respond.
  Its efforts have helped Wyoming to optimize water usage, balancing 
the needs of agriculture, industry, and the environment more 
effectively. It has been instrumental in mitigating the challenges of 
water in the West.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in celebrating 
Goshen Irrigation District's 100 years of development and prosperity.

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