[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2122-S2123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING DIRK KEMPTHORNE
Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise with my colleagues Senator Mike
Crapo and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher to honor the
life and legacy of our dear friend Dirk Kempthorne, who recently lost
his hard-fought battle with cancer.
Few individuals have devoted more of their lives to serving their
community than Dirk Kempthorne. From his first elected office, student
body president at the University of Idaho, it was clear that Dirk was a
true statesman who was born to serve. Over the decades that followed,
Idahoans repeatedly put their trust in him, electing Dirk as mayor of
Boise, U.S. Senator, and ultimately as Governor. In each role, Dirk
carried that trust with humility and purpose, always putting the needs
and hopes of Idahoans first.
As the 51st mayor of Boise, Dirk led Idaho's capital city through a
transformation period. Following decades of uncertainty, demolition of
historic buildings, and stalled development, Dirk brought people
together to chart a new course. Under his steady, locally driven
leadership, Boise experienced unprecedented job growth and the
revitalization of infrastructure and commerce. Dirk's tenure led to
many of the Boise landmarks residents and visitors know today,
including the Grove Plaza, Boise Centre, and the Wells Fargo Building.
Dirk carried that same approach to the U.S. Senate after his election
in 1992. Dirk quickly made his mark in Congress, recognized by then-
Majority Leader Bob Dole as ``one of the Senate's rising young stars.''
While in DC, Dirk advocated for Idaho and the West on several key
committees, including Armed Services, Small Business, and Environment
and Public Works.
He also authored and passed several important pieces of legislation,
including the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, which provided much-needed
relief for State and local governments burdened by Federal regulations.
Equally significant was his leadership in writing the Safe Drinking
Water Act of 1996, a bipartisan effort that passed the Senate
unanimously and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The
legislation, which gave local communities and water systems the
flexibility to meet local needs while protecting public health, was
drafted in collaboration with officials from all levels of government,
water providers, public health experts, and environmental advocates. It
was emblematic of Dirk's unique ability to build consensus and deliver
real results.
Dirk returned home after one term and was elected Idaho's 30th
Governor in a decisive victory. As Governor, he built upon the strong
foundation set by his predecessor and mentor Phil Batt and guided Idaho
into the era of prosperity and resilience we enjoy today. Dirk
prioritized the responsible stewardship of Idaho's natural resources,
establishing the department of environmental quality and office of
species conservation. He also secured the then largest ever
appropriation for our State parks and developed wolf and grizzly bear
management plans, balancing States' rights and proven, community-based
solutions.
Governor Kempthorne also championed the historic GARVEE bond program,
delivering unprecedented funding toward long-overdue transportation
improvements across the State. At the same time, Dirk implemented
numerous economic development and education efforts, including an
initiative focused on ensuring every Idaho child could read at grade
level by the third grade.
In addition to his many legislative successes, Dirk was pivotal to
leading Idaho and her people through the economic recession of the
early 2000s and the aftermath of 9-11 with steadiness and compassion.
In 2006, Dirk was once again called to serve his country when
President George W. Bush appointed him as the 49th U.S. Secretary of
the Interior. There, Dirk brought Idaho's common sense and shared
values to the executive branch. He spearheaded the Department's work to
ensure America's public lands were preserved and managed wisely,
balancing conservation with the needs of the communities that depended
on them. As he had done throughout his life, Dirk prioritized
collaboration and local input, particularly when it came to forest
health, species management, and wildfire prevention. Dirk's dedication
to the outdoors continued to his last day, through his support for the
World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise and The Peregrine Fund.
Another core pillar of Dirk's leadership was his steadfast advocacy
for the men and women of our armed services. Most recently, Dirk had
devoted his talents to initiatives supporting the families of
servicemembers, like Operation Military Blessings, and the
commissioning of the USS Idaho. Dirk's leadership on the USS Idaho
Commissioning Committee helped ensure not only the success of the ship
but also raised enough to provide scholarships to every crew member and
their family for the life of the ship.
It is only right that his incredible legacy will live on in the heart
of the USS Idaho, its engine room, which is named in his honor and
bears a plaque reading: ``The Honorable Dirk A. Kempthorne, A Driving
Force for the Great State of Idaho, Whose Legacy Endures, Above and
Below the Waves.''
Idahoans owe a debt of gratitude to Dirk Kempthorne for a lifetime
spent shaping what he called the ``43rd star
[[Page S2123]]
in the galaxy of states that make up the greatest nation in the
world.'' As we mourn this remarkable leader, we pray for Dirk's loved
ones, including his children Heather and Jeff, and his bride of nearly
50 years, Patricia. We were all honored to know Dirk and to have served
alongside him. Dirk was our friend, a dedicated public servant, and
advocate for Idaho, our veterans, our great outdoors, and more. He will
be dearly missed.
____________________