[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H4417-H4418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING JIM WALDEN

  (Mr. Baumgartner of Washington was recognized to address the House 
for 5 minutes.)
  Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a legend and 
the life of a legend, Washington State University Coach Jim Walden, who 
passed away recently.
  Coach Walden served as the Cougars head football coach from 1978-
1986.
  From the time he took over between the 1977 and 1978 seasons, he was 
not one to hold back as a coach, and neither was his Cougar football 
team. The Cougs displayed many of the same characteristics Jim 
exhibited, including a passion for the sport and an outspoken and 
charismatic personality.
  Taking the reins after WSU had three coaches in 3 years, Jim Walden 
assured the Cougar faithful he would not only stay around, but he would 
stay around and build a winning team. Four years

[[Page H4418]]

later, he guided WSU to its first bowl game in many years, the 1981 
Holiday Bowl. That was WSU's first post-season game since 1931.
  Jim delivered on his promises while defeating nearly every team in 
the PAC-10 conference. He finished his 9-year stint with 44 wins, at 
that time the second most among Washington State's all-time list, while 
also being named PAC-10 Coach of the Year twice, once in 1981 and again 
in 1983.

  After retiring from coaching in 1994, Jim showed his Crimson pride by 
returning to the Palouse, where he served as Bob Robertson's broadcast 
sidekick for 11 seasons.
  Jim Walden was inducted into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009 
and the University of Wyoming Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 for his 
play as a quarterback when he was a student there.
  Madam Speaker, I commend Coach Jim Walden for his unwavering passion 
for Cougar athletics and his lasting commitment to the game of 
football. His leadership helped shape the proud tradition and identity 
of Cougar football that generations, including myself, have known and 
cherished.
  Jim Walden will be deeply missed and his legacy will continue to 
inspire Cougs.


                       Honoring Domantas Sabonis

  Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a Gonzaga men's 
basketball legend, Domantas Sabonis, and his significant contribution 
to Gonzaga University.
  Sabonis starred at Gonzaga in 2014 to 2015, before embarking on an 
outstanding NBA career. Recently, Sabonis provided the school with a 
transformative gift and had the program's basketball strength and 
conditioning center named after him in a dedication ceremony last week.
  The Sabonis Family Strength and Conditioning Center will serve as a 
training foundation for Bulldog basketball student-athletes, supporting 
year-round strength development, injury prevention, and recovery and 
performance optimization.
  The ceremony was held on Thursday afternoon in front of an invited 
audience of donors, alumni, student-athletes, and university 
leadership, where Sabonis and Coach Mark Few both spoke. ``This is a 
significant gift from a remarkable family, and we are deeply grateful 
to their generosity,'' said Coach Few. ``Their investment will have a 
lasting impact on student-athletes and help ensure future generations 
of Bulldogs have every opportunity to grow and succeed.''
  The three-time all-star and two-time all-NBA Third Team selection led 
the NBA in rebounds over previous seasons. He has made a significant 
contribution to the NBA and now has a lasting legacy at Gonzaga, one 
that will benefit future generations of Bulldogs. Well done, Mr. 
Sabonis.


                           Honoring Bill Moos

  Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a former 
Washington State University athletic director, Bill Moos, and highlight 
his outstanding new book, ``Crab Creek Chronicles: From the Wheat 
Fields to the Ball Fields and Beyond.''
  Bill Moos was a star football player for WSU in the early 1970s and 
later took a job as the student assistant football coach in 1973. After 
holding various jobs, he returned to WSU as the assistant athletic 
director. His career skyrocketed after that as he became the athletic 
director and oversaw the rise of two major universities, Montana and 
Oregon.
  Bill was a storyteller shaped by the land of eastern Washington and a 
family that has deep roots in both agriculture and politics. His new 
book is a memoir of faith, family, and wonderful moments of the sport, 
including the time that he brought my good friend and WSU legend Mike 
Leach to the Palouse.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate Bill on his many years of service to 
Cougar athletics and in this exciting new chapter of his life--even in 
retirement.
  Madam Speaker, I will also note that Bill Moos is a Cougar legend 
that should be in the WSU Hall of Fame, and I look forward to seeing 
him receive that distinct honor very soon.

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