[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H5029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MOURNING LOSS OF LONG FAMILY

  (Mr. KENNEDY of Utah asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside my fellow 
Utahns to mourn and celebrate the life and sudden passing of Captain 
Spencer Long of Provo Fire & Rescue; his wife, Katrina; and three sons, 
Reid, Thayne and Gage.
  They were lost on Friday, July 17, 2026, near Sunglow Campground in 
Wayne County, Utah, about 165 miles south of Salt Lake City. We are all 
struggling to deal with the passing of the Long family in such an 
unexpected and tragic manner.
  We are granted each day with no guarantee of the next. Thus, I have 
come to believe that the highest measure of a life is not found in how 
long it was lived but in the depth of love, service, and devotion given 
to others along the way.
  By this measurement, the Long family was extraordinarily successful. 
Captain Spencer Long spent his life answering the call when others were 
in peril. As a leader with Provo Fire & Rescue, his courage, calm 
demeanor, and steadfast brotherhood protected countless families across 
Utah. When disaster struck, Captain Long was always among the first to 
run toward the danger.
  Alongside him stood Katrina, a dedicated mother, a community leader, 
former Mona city councilmember, and an entrepreneur whose kindness and 
vibrant spirit enriched every life she touched.
  Together, Spencer and Katrina built a home grounded in warmth, 
service, and adventure. Reid, Thayne, and Gage inherited that same joy 
for life.
  To Lydia, their surviving daughter, please know that you do not carry 
this unimaginable loss alone. The fire department, your neighbors, and 
a grieving State surround you with our love, our prayers, and an 
enduring promise to stand by your side in the days and the years ahead. 
I am heartened to see the generosity of so many who donated to the fund 
for your needs going forward. This is just a small token of our long-
term commitment to watch over you and provide for your care. I know 
these many donations are deeply appreciated.
  Though this wonderful family was taken from us far too soon, their 
legacy of selfless service, love, and devotion remains an example to us 
all. May we honor them by serving one another with the same dedication 
they showed every day, and may peace rest upon their memories.

                          ____________________