[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 121 (Tuesday, July 15, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H3252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING LARRY HASKELL ON HIS RETIREMENT

  (Mr. Baumgartner of Washington was recognized to address the House 
for 5 minutes.)
  Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor 
Larry Haskell, Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney, who recently 
announced his retirement after more than a decade of dedicated service.
  Larry's career is a testament to true public service. Before serving 
as a prosecutor, he was a B-1 and B-52 pilot in the U.S. Air Force and 
a lieutenant colonel who answered the call to duty after 9/11, serving 
bravely in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
  After retiring from the military in 2005, Larry returned to Spokane 
to continue his work in the prosecuting attorney's office, where he was 
elected in 2014 and has since dedicated himself to justice in our 
community.
  Over the years, Larry has tackled some of the toughest cases--murder, 
assaults, gun crimes, gangs, witness intimidation--always with 
integrity and unwavering commitment to public service.
  Larry once said that being elected to his office was one of the 
greatest honors of his life, and it is clear he poured his heart and 
soul into this work. He also showed wisdom and humility, knowing when 
it is time to pass the torch.
  As Larry steps into retirement, I thank him for his courage, 
dedication, and service, both in uniform and in the courtroom. Spokane 
County and our entire region owe Larry Haskell a debt of gratitude.
  I congratulate Larry on a job well done and wish him all the best in 
his next chapter.


                     Firefighters Run Toward Danger

  Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart not 
just to speak but to mourn, to honor, and to demand that we never grow 
numb to the unimaginable loss suffered by those who dedicate their 
lives to protecting ours.
  Every day, nearly 1 million volunteer and career firefighters across 
our country suit up, knowing they may not return home. They run toward 
danger when many others run away.
  They give up holidays, time with their children, and nights of sleep 
so we can live safely.
  Today, I rise to honor three of them, three men from the Coeur 
d'Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire & Rescue who answered 
the call of duty and paid the price for their courage in an act of 
senseless and evil violence.

                              {time}  1030

  Mr. Speaker, Battalion Chiefs John Morrison and Frank Harwood were 
not only respected leaders in the fire service, they were pillars of 
the Coeur d'Alene community. They were proud husbands, fathers, and 
friends. They were the kind of men who showed up before anyone asked, 
who did the work no one saw, and who led not with titles but with 
strength and humility.
  Gabe Eckert, president of Local 710, recalled his last memory with 
John Morrison. They were just two men on the patio, quietly drinking 
beers and talking about their dads.
  That is who these men were, constantly striving to serve the public 
and the people closest to them. We lost more than firefighters. We lost 
role models.
  Engineer David Tysdal was also critically injured in the attack. He 
has now endured three major surgeries. By God's grace, he is steadily 
recovering. If he is listening today, we encourage David to stay 
strong. He carries the prayers of gratitude of a nation with him.
  Mr. Speaker, this violence was not just a tragedy. It was an outrage. 
An attack on these men was an attack on the very fabric of our 
community. That anyone would target them with such brutality should 
chill us to the bone.
  The deaths of John Morrison and Frank Harwood and the injury of David 
Tysdal are a devastating reminder of the cost of service.
  To the loved ones mourning these brave men, no words will ever be 
enough. May they find comfort in knowing their courage echoes far 
beyond Coeur d'Alene.

                          ____________________