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Congressional Daily Record
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April 29, 2026
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Download official Senate Record PDFReturn to issue contextMr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise with my colleagues Senator Mike Crapo and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher to honor the life and legacy of our dear friend Dirk Kempthorne, who recently lost his hard-fought battle with cancer.
community than Dirk Kempthorne. From his first elected office, student body president at the University of Idaho, it was clear that Dirk was a true statesman who was born to serve. Over the decades that followed, Idahoans repeatedly put their trust in him, electing Dirk as mayor of Boise, U.S. Senator, and ultimately as Governor. In each role, Dirk carried that trust with humility and purpose, always putting the needs and hopes of Idahoans first.
transformation period. Following decades of uncertainty, demolition of historic buildings, and stalled development, Dirk brought people together to chart a new course. Under his steady, locally driven leadership, Boise experienced unprecedented job growth and the revitalization of infrastructure and commerce. Dirk's tenure led to many of the Boise landmarks residents and visitors know today, including the Grove Plaza, Boise Centre, and the Wells Fargo Building.
Dirk carried that same approach to the U.S. Senate after his election in 1992. Dirk quickly made his mark in Congress, recognized by then- Majority Leader Bob Dole as “one of the Senate's rising young stars.” While in DC, Dirk advocated for Idaho and the West on several key committees, including Armed Services, Small Business, and Environment and Public Works.
including the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, which provided much-needed relief for State and local governments burdened by Federal regulations. Equally significant was his leadership in writing the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1996, a bipartisan effort that passed the Senate unanimously and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The legislation, which gave local communities and water systems the flexibility to meet local needs while protecting public health, was drafted in collaboration with officials from all levels of government, water providers, public health experts, and environmental advocates. It was emblematic of Dirk's unique ability to build consensus and deliver real results.
Governor in a decisive victory. As Governor, he built upon the strong foundation set by his predecessor and mentor Phil Batt and guided Idaho into the era of prosperity and resilience we enjoy today. Dirk prioritized the responsible stewardship of Idaho's natural resources, establishing the department of environmental quality and office of species conservation. He also secured the then largest ever appropriation for our State parks and developed wolf and grizzly bear management plans, balancing States' rights and proven, community-based solutions.
delivering unprecedented funding toward long-overdue transportation improvements across the State. At the same time, Dirk implemented numerous economic development and education efforts, including an initiative focused on ensuring every Idaho child could read at grade level by the third grade.
leading Idaho and her people through the economic recession of the early 2000s and the aftermath of 9-11 with steadiness and compassion.
President George W. Bush appointed him as the 49th U.S. Secretary of the Interior. There, Dirk brought Idaho's common sense and shared values to the executive branch. He spearheaded the Department's work to ensure America's public lands were preserved and managed wisely, balancing conservation with the needs of the communities that depended on them. As he had done throughout his life, Dirk prioritized collaboration and local input, particularly when it came to forest health, species management, and wildfire prevention. Dirk's dedication to the outdoors continued to his last day, through his support for the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise and The Peregrine Fund.
for the men and women of our armed services. Most recently, Dirk had devoted his talents to initiatives supporting the families of servicemembers, like Operation Military Blessings, and the commissioning of the USS Idaho. Dirk's leadership on the USS Idaho Commissioning Committee helped ensure not only the success of the ship but also raised enough to provide scholarships to every crew member and their family for the life of the ship.
of the USS Idaho, its engine room, which is named in his honor and bears a plaque reading: “The Honorable Dirk A. Kempthorne, A Driving Force for the Great State of Idaho, Whose Legacy Endures, Above and Below the Waves.”
spent shaping what he called the “43rd star
world.” As we mourn this remarkable leader, we pray for Dirk's loved ones, including his children Heather and Jeff, and his bride of nearly 50 years, Patricia. We were all honored to know Dirk and to have served alongside him. Dirk was our friend, a dedicated public servant, and advocate for Idaho, our veterans, our great outdoors, and more. He will be dearly missed.