WASHINGTON, DC and SEATTLE, WA – Statement of Congressman Norm Dicks:

The Country has lost one of its great leaders with the passing of Speaker Tom Foley.

Tom was my mentor and friend.  He believed in bipartisanship and always put the best interest of the country first.  He and Minority Leader Bob Michel worked together and were great friends.

Tom served as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, as Majority Whip, Majority Leader, and finally Speaker of the House. 

When I was on Senator Magnuson’s staff, I worked with Tom on the Spokane World’s Fair and on many other Washington State issues.  No one cared for Tom more than his loving wife Heather, who was always at his side and cared for him during his long illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with Heather and Tom’s entire family.

We will miss our good friend and will always remember his service to our Country, Washington State, and the people of the 5th Congressional District of Washington.

Former Congressman Dicks is now Senior Advisor at Van Ness Feldman, LLP.  With over 115 professionals in Washington, DC and Seattle, WA, Van Ness Feldman focuses on law and policy relating to energy, the environment, natural resources, health care, land use, and real estate.  The firm helps a broad, national range of clients successfully navigate the complexities of developing, maintaining, and operating natural resources, energy, infrastructure, and sustainable real estate projects.  In February 2012, Van Ness Feldman expanded its capabilities by combining practices with the Seattle law firm of GordonDerr LLP, a preeminent real estate, land use, water law, and civil litigation firm in the Pacific Northwest.  Learn more at www.vnf.com.