S10308 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 1, 2008 

campaign headquarters, but Nate’s sign 

remains, a reminder of his commitment as well as his friendship. 

But for all of Nate’s artistic talent, 

his most enduring characteristic was 

his love of people, and his ability to inspire loyalty and affection from everyone he came in contact with. 

Many of the volunteers on my campaigns have been young people, full of 

idealism and eager to learn. They have 

often been young enough to be Nate’s 

grandchildren or even great-grandchildren. But Nate always relished 

their idealism. He tried to see people 

and events through their eyes and 

learn from that point of view, and he 

gently shared his experience and wisdom. It was remarkable to see the affection and respect he engendered in 

those idealistic kids. 

My family and I were privileged to 

spend time with Nate in settings away 

from the political arena, and those occasions were simply a delight. They 

were times rich with humor and wit, as 

well as wisdom. Our conversations were 

filled with insight, not just into the 

past and present, but looking far into 

the future at the challenges our Nation 

and world will face. Nate knew that he 

would never face those challenges, but 

that his great grandchildren and greatgreat-grandchildren would. 

Nate Wexler leaves behind a large 

family and friends of all ages and from 

all walks of life. He will be missed tremendously, but he lives on in all of us 

who were fortunate enough to know 

and to learn from him.

f 

∑ 

HONORING CALIFORNIA’S LOST 

FIREFIGHTERS 

∑ Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my 

colleagues to join me in honoring the 

lives of Shawn Blazer, Scott Charlson, 

Edrik Gomez, Matthew Hammer, Dan 

Packer, Andrew Jackson Palmer, Jim 

Ramage, Steven Renno, Bryan Rich, 

Roark Schwanenberg, and David 

Steele. These brave men lost their lives 

while working to protect Californians 

from devastating forest fires. 

On August 5, 2008, seven firefighters 

and two helicopter pilots were tragically killed in a helicopter accident 

while bravely fighting the Iron Complex Fire in Trinity County. I would 

like to say a few words about each of 

these men: 

Shawn Blazer of Medford, OR, had 

been working as a firefighter for 1 year 

and told his family and friends that he 

had ‘‘discovered his calling.’’ Shawn 

was dedicated to his family and had 

been caring for his mother when he 

died. He had a passion for photography, 

computer games and playing sports. He 

is remembered for his dedication and 

love for his friends and family. 

Scott Charlson of Phoenix, OR, was a 

student at Southern Oregon University 

and worked as a firefighter during the 

summer to put himself through college. 

He had a passion for journalism, especially covering sporting events. His 

classmates recalled his ethics, excellence in reporting and kind and caring 

nature. 

Edrik Gomez of Ashland, OR, was a 

student at Southern Oregon University, double majoring in communications and political science and was in 

his first year as a firefighter. Gomez 

was known as a leader with great compassion and for his lighthearted spirit, 

interest in politics and close bond with 

his family and friends. 

Matthew Hammer of Grants Pass, 

OR, was a recent graduate from Corban 

College with a degree in business. He 

married his college sweetheart this 

summer and had planned on making 

2008 his last fire season as a firefighter. 

He is remembered as an athletic, 

friendly, fun-loving person who excelled under pressure. 

Jim Ramage of Redding, CA, was a 

helicopter pilot who served in the U.S. 

Army during the Vietnam war and had 

a distinguished career with the U.S. 

Forest Service and CAL Fire. Friends 

and family remember Jim’s passion for 

aviation and protecting public safety. 

He is remembered for the bonds he created with his friends and the great love 

he had for his family. 

Steven ‘‘Caleb’’ Renno of Cave Junction, OR, was a track and field coach 

for his alma mater, Illinois Valley High 

School, where he excelled in both track 

and cross country. After high school he 

attended Southern Oregon University 

and worked as a firefighter during summers. He will be remembered for his 

talent as a runner and as an avid traveler. 

Bryan Rich of Central Point, OR, was 

a talented framing carpenter who recently began a career in firefighting. 

He loved spending time outdoors, playing sports and is remembered for his 

dedication to his family. 

Roark Schwanenberg of Lostine, OR, 

was a U.S. Army trained helicopter 

pilot, who many of his colleagues consider one of the best helicopter pilots, 

with whom they have worked. He is remembered for his humor, great skill as 

a pilot, and love for his family and 

friends. 

David Steele of Bend, OR, was a student at Central Oregon Community 

College and worked as a firefighter 

during the summer to pay for his education. He planned on becoming a career firefighter after graduating from 

both Fire Fighting and Emergency 

Medical Technician school. Friends and 

family remember his strong work 

ethic, love of his family and big heart. 

We also mourn the loss of two other 

brave firefighters from the State of 

Washington who lost their lives battling California wildfires this summer: 

Dan Packer of Sumner, WA, was the 

Chief of the East Piece Fire Department and past president of the Washington State Fire Chiefs. He had a passion for public safety and was known 

for his ability to relate to anyone. 

Chief Packer is remembered for his 

strong leadership abilities and dedication to his family. Chief Packer lost 

his life while battling the Panther Fire 

in Siskiyou County on July 26, 2008. 

Andrew Jackson Palmer of Port 

Townsend, WA, was a 2008 graduate of 

Port Townsend High School where he 

was a standout athlete on the football 

team. Andy enjoyed playing a variety 

of sports and spending time with his 

friends and family. Andy’s loved ones 

recall his kind heart, honesty and integrity. Andy tragically died while 

fighting the Iron Complex Fire in Trinity County on July 25, 2008. 

These brave firefighters and pilots, 

like all those who fight fires across 

California, put their lives on the line to 

protect our communities. My heart 

goes out to their families and loved 

ones and my thoughts and prayers are 

with them. We are forever indebted to 

them for their courage, service and sacrifice.∑ 

f 

TRIBUTE TO JO PRICE CRAVEN 

∑ Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I 

would like to recognize Ms. Jo Price 

Craven, principal of Piner Elementary 

School in Morning City, KY. Ms. Jo 

Price Craven was recently honored by 

the National Association of Elementary School Principals as one of the recipients of the 2008 National Distinguished Principals Award. 

The National Distinguished Principals Program was established in 1984 

as an annual event to honor exemplary 

elementary school principals who set 

the pace, character, and quality of the 

education children receive during their 

early school years. One principal is 

chosen from each of the 50 States and 

the District of Columbia, and this year 

Ms. Jo Price Craven has been selected 

as a National Distinguished Principal 

from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

Throughout her time at Piner Elementary School, Principal Jo Price 

Craven has displayed herself to be an 

example of excellence in primary education. Her educational philosophy fosters a school environment that is considerate and challenging to allow 

teachers at Piner Elementary to mobilize and enhance student performance. 

Kentuckians are extremely proud of 

Ms. Jo Price Craven. I am honored to 

pay tribute to her, and I encourage my 

colleagues to join me in wishing Principal Craven continued success as she 

continues her exceptional work in education.∑ 

f 

RECOGNIZING MS. KELSEY LANDT 

∑ Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I 

recognize Ms. Kelsey Landt of Paducah, KY, who is a premed senior at the 

University of Kentucky at 13 years old. 

Before her teenage years Kelsey participated in spinal cord injury research 

at the University of Kentucky, and 

while at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, she utilized transcranial magnetic stimulation to understand reward processing. 

At the age of 10, she presented her 

work at the 2005 Community College 

Conference for Student Research in 

Madisonville, KY, and this year, she 


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