[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1204]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               TRIBUTE TO STATE TROOPER JASON MANSPEAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I now honor 
an extraordinary human being and great American, State Trooper Jason 
Manspeaker. Mr. Manspeaker was described as a ``teddy bear'' of a man, 
who demonstrated both remarkable valor and compassion every day. Sadly, 
Jason died last week while in the line of duty. As family, friends, and 
colleagues mourn this profound loss, I would like to honor this truly 
great American.
  Mr. Manspeaker was an individual that served his county, state and 
nation well. For most of his life, Jason aspired to be a Colorado State 
Patrolman, a goal he would ultimately realize. As a State Trooper, 
countless individuals have been affected by Jason's selfless actions, 
each of whom are better off because of his service. Tragically, Jason's 
life was cut short while engaged in that service.
  On January 23, 2001, Jason was in pursuit of a van that was believed 
to contain two of the Texas Seven fugitives the day after the other 
five were captured in nearby Colorado Springs. After passing eastbound 
through the Eisenhower Tunnel on relatively dry pavement, his Jeep 
Cherokee squad car hit the steep and icy off-ramp and failed to 
negotiate the turn, skidding into a snow covered trailer in a dirt pull 
out. Manspeaker's friend and colleague, Trooper Jeff Matthews, 
witnessed the crash in his rear view mirror and worked relentlessly, 
but ultimately unsuccessfully, to revive Manspeaker. ``This is somebody 
who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the public,'' said his 
supervisor, Captain Doyle Eicher, in a recent Denver Post story. ``He 
was just that kind of guy.'' ``It is really tough for us. I knew him 
personally, and he was an outstanding trooper, liked by everyone,'' 
said close friend Sgt. Brett Mattson in the Post's story.
  Jason grew up in Montrose, Colorado where he was well-known and 
widely admired. ``He would go out of his way to help people, we are all 
very proud of him for being a highway patrolman, that is what he wanted 
to do,'' said Betty Hokit, secretary at Montrose High School where 
Jason attended. Jason began his service to the community at a very 
young age. As a teenager, he volunteered with the Explorer Scout 
Program for the Montrose Police Department. Even while attending Mesa 
State College--where he played football--he could often be found riding 
along with State Troopers based in Grand Junction. ``He just absolutely 
loved the work,'' said Captain Eicher in the story. ``He was just so 
enthusiastic about the job. He made my job a joy because it is easy to 
supervise and work with people like that.''
  Jason was a highly skilled member of his profession. So much so that 
he was named the officer in charge of ensuring that other officers 
fulfilled their firearms qualifications. This is just one of the many 
examples of Jason's skill as a law enforcement officer, skills which 
Jason used to serve the State of Colorado every day.
  Mr. Speaker and fellow colleagues, as you can see, this extraordinary 
human being truly deserves our timeless gratitude for his service and 
supreme sacrifice while in the line of duty. Jason Manspeaker may be 
gone, but his legacy will long endure in the minds of those who were 
fortunate enough to know him. Colorado is assuredly a better place 
because of Jason Manspeaker.
  The nation's thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Stephanie, and 
his parents, Ray and Donna, and his colleagues at the Colorado State 
Patrol. Like these loved ones, the Montrose community and the State of 
Colorado will miss Jason greatly.

                          ____________________