HONORING BILL DOBA

On 2026-09-02, Representative Michael Baumgartner (R-WA-5) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING BILL DOBA" in the House.

HONORING BILL DOBA

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 139 (Wednesday, September 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 139 (Wednesday, September 2, 2026)] [House] [Pages H5434-H5435] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING BILL DOBA (Mr. Baumgartner of Washington was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) 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. [[Page H5435]] 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. ____________________