Michael Baumgartner

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Spokane County Clerk Tim Fitzgerald on his upcoming retirement after a lifetime defined by service. Oftentimes, county clerks and other local and government officials get overlooked, but they shouldn't be. Having a good county clerk matters, and Tim Fitzgerald was a great county clerk. Tim served as a vital nexus for the Spokane VET Court and Spokane Veterans Forum. By focusing on treatment, VA integration, and peer mentorship, he created a program that has graduated over 500 veterans and reduced the local veteran recidivism rate to 5 percent. This statistic represents real lives transformed and peace restored to hundreds of military families. Tim Fitzgerald's devotion to duty began long ago. He dedicated three decades to the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a colonel after crucial leadership deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He brought that same elite leadership to county government, earning recognition as Washington State's Clerk of the Year in both 2017 and 2022. A true gentleman and proud graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Tim embodies the highest traditions of public service. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Tim and wishing him and his wife, Tracy, the best in the next chapter of their lives. Recognizing Ferris High School's Football Head Coach Billy Newman

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ferris High School's football team for naming a new head coach, Billy Newman, and I congratulate them on their first win of the season on Friday. Billy Newman brings more than two decades of coaching experience and strong ties to the Spokane community. I remember him as a standout football player for Washington State University, and I appreciated Coach Newman when he coached my son in AAU basketball. Billy's appointment reflects Ferris High School's commitment to strengthening its football program through character development and meaningful partnership with students, staff, and the broader community. Billy said upon becoming the coach: ``This football program will be built on school and community pride. It is an honor to represent our school, our families. . . .'' I wish the Saxons and all the high school football teams of eastern Washington success as they take on what looks to be a great football season. I wish good luck to the players, coaches, and the entire family, and, once again, I congratulate Coach Newman and the Ferris boys' football team on that first win of the season. Honoring Life and Legacy of Dr. Charles ``Charlie'' Robert Wolfe

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Charles ``Charlie'' Robert Wolfe, a longtime physician, public servant, and member of the Spokane community who passed away on September 7 at the grand old age of 94. After earning his medical degree from the University of Nebraska, Dr. Wolfe served as an Army physician in Okinawa, attaining the rank of captain. He and his wife, Patricia, eventually settled in the Spokane Valley where he spent three decades caring for patients and strengthening the local healthcare system. Dr. Wolfe helped establish the first full-time staffing of the Valley General Hospital emergency department and wrote Washington State's first emergency services manual. He later became a founding partner of Occupational Medicine Associates and served as a physician for Kaiser Aluminum. His commitment to service extended beyond medicine. Charlie served in the Washington State House of Representatives, was a delegate to the Republican National Convention that nominated Ronald Reagan, and devoted years to causes including the Union Gospel Mission and Christian education. I extend my condolences to the family, and I join all of Congress in celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Charles Robert Wolfe. God bless you.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a legend in Washington State University Cougars' athletics, former head football coach, Bill Doba, who passed away last week at the age of 85. Bill was a great man and a great football coach, a longtime defensive coordinator, and 5-year head coach for the Cougars from 2003 to 2007. In all, he worked 19 seasons at WSU and was the lead architect of the renowned Palouse Posse defense, which led the country in 1994. Bill was also a very devoted husband. Many knew of his lifetime romance with his wonderful wife, Judy. Judy herself was a great woman. I knew her personally when she volunteered frequently in my mother's kindergarten classroom at Franklin Elementary. Bill Doba left a great impact on the entire State of Washington and the Pullman community, and he is remembered fondly. Given that this is Apple Cup week, Mr. Speaker, I think it is also worth noting that Coach Bill Doba had a winning record against the Huskies and gave them a spanking in his last Apple Cup. Rest in peace, Bill Doba, and thank you for all you have done for Cougar nation. Honoring Walt Worthy

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great member of the Spokane community, Mr. Walt Worthy. Many people know Walt and his wonderful wife, Karen, for their tremendous work to revitalize the Davenport Hotel. Today, I honor Walt for his extremely generous establishment of the Karen Worthy Memorial Wildfire Grant that will fund personal $10,000 donations to victims of the Spokane fires. In total, his generous donation could approach beyond $5 million, perhaps even $10 million, depending on how many fire victims are deemed eligible. It was only fitting that this announcement was made at Balboa Elementary School in the neighborhood of the fires and named in honor of his beloved wife, Karen. Karen taught first grade at Balboa Elementary School for nearly 20 years as Walt transitioned from his career as a survival specialist with the United States Air Force into a career as a builder and a developer. I thank Walt Worthy for his generosity to the victims of these terrible fires. I thank him for all he has done for Washington State, our Spokane community, and indeed these United States of America. I am pleased to share his lifetime romance in memory of Karen here on the floor of Congress. Honoring Ambassador Timothy Carney

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great patriot, a friend, and a giant of American diplomacy, Ambassador Tim Carney, who passed away earlier this month after a long fight with cancer. Ambassador Carney was the 14th United States Ambassador to Sudan and the 45th United States Ambassador to Haiti. I got to know Ambassador Carney during my year at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad during the Iraq surge where we worked closely together on issues related to Baghdad. Ambassador Carney is one of those Americans that you read about in storybooks: an adventurer, a scholar, and indeed, truly a diplomat. His wife, Vicki Butler, is equally amazing. Vicki came from a prominent Spokane family. They met in Southeast Asia and had a patriotic romance that spanned the globe and made a lasting impact on Washington State and the United States of America. When Tim finished his diplomatic career, he came back to Spokane with Vicki and served as a very important director of our museum of arts and culture, helping bridge a challenging period in that institution's time. I remember Tim fondly. Here in this photo you can see Tim and Vicki with me and my wife, Eleanor, and I look to them as an inspiration in my own romance with my wonderful wife. Tim, you will not be forgotten. Vicki, you are loved, and we thank both of you for your tremendous impact on these United States of America.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4584) to make technical amendments to update statutory references to certain provisions which were formerly classified to chapters 14 and 19 of title 25, United States Code, and to correct related technical errors.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 4584.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4584 is a ministerial bill that makes technical corrections and updates to the United States Code. The bill was prepared for the Committee on the Judiciary by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel, a nonpartisan office of the House of Representatives charged with maintaining the official United States Code. In 2016, provisions from chapter 14 of title 25 were moved to four new chapters toward the end of title 25. Certain provisions of chapter 19 of title 25 were also not included in the code, but were subsequently added. H.R. 4584 addresses these changes by updating statutory references to these provisions elsewhere in the code. The bill does not change the meaning of these provisions, or the provisions that reference them. It simply updates references to these provisions to ensure that they are correct. Adopting this bill today will help ensure the code is up to date, accurate, and accessible. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, this is a small but important bill. I urge all Members to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note the passing of a great American, a great patriot, and a friend, Mr. Wes Anderson of Spokane, Washington. Wes was known across the communities of Spokane County for his exemplary service to fellow veterans who knew him best as ``Doc.'' Wes was a lifelong Spokanite whose life was defined by service, first in Vietnam where he served as a hospital corpsman and later across our communities where he had time for every veteran. The moments in Vietnam crystallized a lifetime of determination to serve veterans when, on his return to the United States, he had to fight his way through a crowd of war protesters on his flight home. His service to veterans took the form of over five decades of service through leadership roles in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he was honored for his work as a chaplain, and through various initiatives, small and large, that included his support for the residents of Spokane's veterans homes, 20 consecutive years of cleaning the Spokane Vietnam Veterans Memorial on each Memorial Day, and his volunteer work for veterans organizations such as Heroes Homestead. With Wes' passing, there is a void in our community that will be felt for many years to come. Mr. Speaker, Wes was a patriot, a great American, and a friend. I speak for the entire Spokane community when I say that he will be sincerely missed. recognizing the ewu eagles football team

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Eastern Washington University Eagles football team as they prepare for what promises to be a fantastic 2026 season. Everyone in eastern Washington knows that EWU plays some of the most exciting brands of football in the Western United States, and I know personally that their tailgating in Cheney is second to none. They are led by Coach Best, a former All-Big Sky center and Eastern Washington alum who has had an exemplary career as coach of the Eags. The Eastern Washington Eagles have a stacked schedule this fall with away games at Northern Arizona, South Dakota, University of Washington, UC Davis, University of Idaho, and Utah Tech, while welcoming schools like Northern Iowa, Cal Poly, Northern Colorado, Montana, Montana State, and Portland State to Cheney. I look forward to a great season of Eastern football, and I know the Eastern Eagles will be very competitive. I am sure the coach, his staff, every student-athlete, and the student body of Eastern all look forward to this exciting season. Go Eags. recognizing tim merck

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Spokane native Tim Merck, an outstanding businessman, philanthropist, and family man. He and his wife, Beth, have raised an outstanding family. Tim built a multimillion dollar business in Spokane from the ground up, Old World Christmas, which was known across the country and across the world as providing the best Christmas ornaments anyone can find. Today, I also want to recognize a bit of trivia about Tim. When he sent his son and daughter to Notre Dame, he realized that there was not a leprechaun sculpture on Notre Dame's campus, and Tim set out to rectify that. Tim and Beth Merck, along with their children, Jon and Katherine, have long demonstrated a commitment to preserving stories and dreams in their operation. Jon and Katherine fulfilled a dream for their grandmother by attending and graduating from Notre Dame. When they noticed that the leprechaun was not there, they reached out to the president, and today, there is this leprechaun statue at gate 10 of the Purcell Pavilion, the very gate through which the Leprechaun Legion enters the arena to cheer on their basketball and volleyball teams. This is a tremendous story. Tim is also a very proud graduate of the University of Idaho, and upon presenting the leprechaun, he said: I guess it takes a Vandal to make sure that the students of Notre Dame have a leprechaun to celebrate. Mr. Speaker, Tim is a great American and a great friend. I love him and Beth. Go Vandals. Go Irish.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

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 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.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor a dedicated member of the city of Spokane Fire Department, Mr. Bill Grummons. Bill has been promoted to deputy chief of training and safety in the department. As deputy chief, Bill will oversee and support members of the department in their training to help them become better prepared for the challenges of the fire service. Bill's collaborative leadership style and commitment to improvement within the department will benefit both personnel and the community greatly. Bill joined the Spokane Fire Department in February 2012. During his career, he served as a firefighter at Station 4, lieutenant at Station 1, captain in staffing at Station 18, and battalion chief of the south battalion. With the increased risk of wildfires in eastern Washington, it is a good reminder that it is brave and talented men and women, like Bill, that we need in charge. With his years of experience and commitment to the department, I have no doubt he will do incredible things to strengthen the Spokane Fire Department and help take care of our wonderful community. Please join me in congratulating Bill Grummons on this well-deserved promotion and wishing him nothing but continued success in his new role. Whitworth University Launching Nursing Program

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to share the wonderful news that Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, is launching a new bachelor of science in nursing program to strengthen care and address critical nursing shortages across the Northwest. The school is set to launch in the fall of 2027. This 4-year BSN program reflects Whitworth's commitment to addressing the growing demand for highly trained nurses across the Pacific Northwest. This program is designed to expand access to high-quality nursing education while preparing graduates to serve in hospitals, clinics, and community health centers. The BSN program will be housed in Hawthorne Hall, which is being transformed into a dedicated 22,500-square-foot nursing education facility. The space will feature state-of-the-art simulation and skill labs designed to prepare students for real-world healthcare environments. I commend Whitworth University for launching its new nursing program, a significant step toward addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals in the Northwest. This investment will create new pathways for students, support our hospitals and clinics, and help ensure families across the region have access to high-quality care for years. Remembering Frankie DeWitt

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a dear friend, a great patriot, and a wonderful citizen of eastern Washington, Mrs. Frankie DeWitt. Frankie was an extraordinary woman whose kindness, strength, and unwavering commitment to others and to public service touched countless lives across our community. Frankie was born in Oregon. With her father, a civil engineer, she traveled extensively throughout her childhood, living in Okinawa, Afghanistan, and Iran. It helped shape her lifelong approach to seeing people as they were and treating everyone with dignity and grace. Frankie was a dedicated volunteer in the arts and at her church, and she spent 50 years involved in local conservative and Republican politics. Frankie served as State committeewoman, GOP chair in Yakima, and northeast chair for the Washington Federation of Republican Women. She worked tirelessly to strengthen our party, support candidates, and encourage civic engagement across eastern Washington. When I first ran for office in 2010 for the State senate, Frankie was a member of my campaign's brain trust. Her wise advice and sometimes critical guidance, always delivered with kindness, were essential to our success. I specifically remember Frankie telling me not to ride in cars in parades but to get out and shake hands with the public. As I have continued my political career, Frankie's influence has remained with me. The values she lived by--service, compassion, and commitment to others--continue to serve as a reminder of why we do this work. Frankie is now reunited with her beloved late husband, Tom. She leaves behind three wonderful children and seven granddaughters. Her memory remains a blessing, and her legacy lives on for the countless lives she touched. As we celebrate these 250 years of our wonderful America, it reminds me that it is civically minded people like Frankie DeWitt who continue to keep this wonderful Republic.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Washington State University's Bill Stevens as he retires after 21 years of excellence, helping to shape the story of Cougar athletics. Bill held the title of sports information director and senior associate athletic director for strategic communications, and has officially closed a chapter that spanned five athletic directors, seven football coaches, and endless memorable moments in Cougar history. Bill served as one of the chief storytellers of WSU athletics and helped to shape how Cougar student athletes and programs were presented to the world. He graduated from WSU in 1987 and arrived back in Pullman in 2005 after spending 9 years with the Sacramento Kings and 5 years at UC Davis. He later went on to become one of the most respected communications professionals in all of college athletics. Bill was able to quickly adapt to a fast-changing world of social media and evolve WSU communication strategies to what we see today, and some of the challenges Bill faced during his time were significant. Of course, one of Bill's favorite memories came in October 2018, when ESPN's ``College GameDay'' finally came to Pullman after years of anticipation, fueled by flying the famous Ol' Crimson flag at every game day across the country. Bill was heavily involved in coordinating the media events surrounding this historic event. Bill's efforts led to a national showcase of WSU and were capped by a dramatic victory over the University of Oregon, the fourth consecutive time that Wash. State University beat the University of Oregon Ducks in football. Mr. Speaker, I thank Bill for his decades of hard work with Cougar athletics. The program wouldn't be where it is today without him. Of course, one of the most memorable coaches that Bill Stevens helped work with was the one and only Mike Leach. When Mike and I taught the insurgent warfare and football class together, I saw firsthand Bill's incredible work in communications. That class received a lot of national media attention, and I thought Bill did a wonderful job of not only celebrating the Cougs but allowing Mike Leach to be Mike Leach. Recognizing Scarlett Kinville

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of this year's Congressional Award Gold Medal winners, Scarlett Kinville from Spokane, Washington. The Congressional Award is a public-private partnership by Congress to promote and recognize achievement, initiative, and service in America's youth ages 14 to 23. Scarlett completed over 400 hours of public service volunteering as a therapeutic riding assistant, 200 hours of personal development as she managed a youth social enterprise focused on coffee, and 200 hours of physical fitness by increasing stamina through her daily biking routine and a 5-day, 4-night expedition trip, where she led a team storytelling expedition to Portland. Scarlett had this to say about her experience: ``The process of gaining the gold medal was fun. I gained the ability to manage my time and participate in meaningful activities in my community. I learned important life skills, such as leadership, teamwork, confidence, and responsibility, and I was able to help the community in ways I wouldn't have strived for otherwise. I believe I am more resilient and have developed a strong determination to grow and succeed personally and as a citizen since starting the Congressional Award process.'' It is an honor to represent young leaders like Scarlett in Congress. Her achievement is a testament to her hard work, her character, and her commitment to serving others. I congratulate Scarlett on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to all she will accomplish in the years ahead. It is great to have Scarlett visiting Washington, D.C., this week. All of eastern Washington and, indeed, all of Congress and the Nation share in the pride of her accomplishment.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the incredible milestone of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1443 in Clarkston, Washington, which celebrated its 100th anniversary on May 26. For one full century, the venerable post in downtown Clarkston has stood as a sanctuary of service, transforming the heavy, unspoken burdens of global conflict into a legacy of enduring local fellowship. Mr. Speaker, it is deeply fitting that we celebrate this centennial milestone precisely as our Nation marks its 250th anniversary of American independence. The history of VFW Post 1443 is a microcosm of the grand tapestry of American freedom. It bridges the gap between the revolutionary ideals of 1776 and modern preservation of liberty. The brave individuals who left Asotin County to fight on distant shores did so to protect the promise of our Republic. Many did not return home. For those who returned and found a home at Post 1443, the memories of their comrades were woven into the work building a century of camaraderie, youth mentorship, and veterans advocacy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the members and auxiliary of the Clarkston VFW Post 1443 for 100 years of unwavering devotion to our community and the United States of America. Honoring Chief Lindsay Moon

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 24 years of service to the Nation by Chief Master Sergeant Lindsay Moon, Command Chief of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base. Chief Moon made notable contributions as a developmental flight test boom operator in the development of air refueling operational procedures for the F-35 Lightning and the KC-46 Pegasus. Following that, he was selected to stand up a boom operator exchange program advising the Royal Australian Air Force during initial fielding of their KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport refueling program. Over the duration of his career, Chief Moon has amassed over 4,300 flight hours, over 1,000 instructor/evaluator hours, 170 test flight sorties, and 132 combat sorties. Chief and Mrs. Moon will relocate soon to western Washington, where Chief Moon will begin a new career with Boeing. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Chief Moon. On behalf of Congress and a grateful United States, we are grateful for his service. Honoring Colonel Chad K. Cisewski

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to honor the 24 years of service to the Nation by Colonel Chad K. Cisewski, known to his airmen and the Fairchild community as ``Chewey,'' commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base. Chewey's retirement brings his 2-year command of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing to a close, which in turn caps 24 years of outstanding service to the U.S. Air Force. The airmen of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing made major contributions to the successful outcome of Operation Midnight Hammer, and for their valiant actions, over 20 airmen of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing were recently recognized with the granting of the Distinguished Flying Crosses and Bronze Star Medals. Colonel and Mrs. Cisewski will soon begin a new career and a new chapter in their lives where he will be at the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Mr. Speaker, I and all of Spokane, Washington, know Chewey as a humble leader and a true gentleman. Now, all of the United States and Congress knows it as well. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Congress and a grateful United States, we salute Chewey's service. Celebrating the Nine Mile Store

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the passage of a major milestone for one of Spokane County's oldest institutions: the Nine Mile Store. Located in Nine Mile Falls, Washington, it has reached its 120th continuous year of operation. The Nine Mile Store has been a community cornerstone for 120 years, going back to the day it was opened by Ed Tormey in 1906 to support the construction of the adjacent Nine Mile Dam. A few years after its start, the automobile began to slowly replace the horse and buggy, and a hand-cranked gas pump was installed to meet customer needs. Mr. Tormey ran the store for over 30 years before it was purchased by Stephen and Mildred Casadoro, who operated it for nearly 40 years. It would change hands several more times, and now is being operated by Steve and Corrine Rogers who continue its tradition of excellent service to our community. I am proud to represent its current owners and all of their customers here in Congress. All of the Spokane County area in eastern Washington know of the outstanding nature of the Nine Mile Store, and now so do all of Congress and a grateful American people.