Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement following the passing of former Speaker of the House Tom Foley.

“Speaker Foley’s lifetime of work for Eastern Washington set the standard for what public service means in our state. He was schooled in the ways of constituent service by Senators Magnuson and Jackson, and passed on its importance to a new generation of our state’s elected officials.

“I first met Speaker Foley when I was a Snohomish County councilmember on a trip to Japan. It didn’t feel as much like talking to a U.S. ambassador as it felt like chatting with just a guy named Tom Foley. I last saw him at the Democratic National Convention in 2012, where he had come, even in weakening health, to support his state’s delegation.

“Washington state is stronger for Speaker Foley’s service. My sympathies go out to Heather and the whole Foley family of staff.”