Legislative Commentary: July 11, 2019

Dear Friends, The 9th District spans all or parts of six counties, and on the Fourth of July that means many celebrations spread across a lot of territory – at last count, six parades plus other community gatherings. One person can’t attend all of them, but my seatmates in the House and I try to get in as many as we can. With that background, here’s how I spent this year’s Independence Day. It’s important to get going early, and the Othello Rotary leads off with a breakfast in the park. As I drove to Othello from Ritzville I saw crops that are improving and smelled fresh mint being swathed north of town. After visiting a number of friends, I was off to a strong start. My drive to Basin City took me past second-cutting alfalfa and the orchards that have expanded so much since I was younger. Pride in our country is very much alive and well in Basin City. The parade there is well-attended and hasn’t been encumbered by the sort of rules and regulations seen elsewhere (like no tossing candy). The dairy industry’s entry in the parade has ice cream bars for all the spectators – which on a warm summer day is a very welcome tradition. Then I was off to Washtucna, and noticed the wheat fields starting to turn between Connell and Kahlotus. The crops looked good but my guess is harvest will be later than most years. The parade was over when I arrived, but the patriotic flag-raising and speech (by a dead ringer for President Lincoln!) had just begun. The food was great, as ever, and I enjoyed visiting with local friends and officials. The next celebration on my list was in Pullman, and of course while driving I had to keep an eye on how the crops are progressing. The garbanzos caught my attention in particular. Pullman has a long history of doing a barbecue in the park to fund live music and an excellent fireworks show (at least since before my first run for office in 1992). This was the first barbecue that didn’t have community leader Ron Wachter and his family at the helm – he’s stepped down due to some health challenges – but others have stepped up to pitch in, including the current and former mayors and many other elected leaders. As in past years I worked at the barbecue doing hamburgers and hotdogs for a hungry crowd; by 7:30 we had sold out of hamburgers so my job was done and I headed for Endicott. Endicott’s claim to fame on the Fourth, along with some entertainment, is an ice cream social fund-raiser and a fireworks display that is really something for a town of that size. My friends there did not disappoint this year -- I’d recommend their show to anyone. At about 11:30 p.m, I pulled into the driveway at the farm, completing a loop that put around 275 miles on the odometer – and proud to be reminded that patriotism and pride in our country are alive and well in the 9th District.