Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-07-14

HONORING JIM WALDEN

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Context

On 2026-07-14, Representative Michael Baumgartner (R-WA-5) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING JIM WALDEN" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING JIM WALDEN

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026) [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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HONORING JIM WALDEN Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026) [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. ____________________