A4 THE BULLETIN • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021
REP. RON WRIGHT " 1953-2021
Cop
Representative is first member
of Congress to die of COVID-19
GROMER JEFFERS JR. AND TOM
BENNING
The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS — Rep. Ron Wright
of Texas died Sunday night less
than three weeks after contract-
ing COVID-19. He was 67.
His family and a spokesper-
son confirmed Wright’s death
due to the coronavirus Monday
morning. The Republican con-
gressman from Arlington, who
was reelected in November, also
had been battling lung cancer.
Wright is the first member of
Congress to die of COVID-19.
“Congressman Wright will be
remembered as a constitutional
conservative. He was a states-
man, not an ideologue,” accord-
ing to a statement released by
Wright’s office. “Ron and Susan
dedicated their lives to fighting
for individual freedom, Texas
values, and above all, the lives of
the unborn. As friends, family,
and many of his constituents
will know, Ron maintained his
quick wit and optimism until
the very end. Despite years of
painful, sometimes debilitating
treatment for cancer, Ron never
lacked the desire to get up and
go to work, to motivate those
around him, or to offer fatherly
advice.”
According to the statement,
Wright had been keeping a
vigorous work schedule be-
Salem
Continued from A1
The impeachment, the
equivalent of an indictment,
passed 232-197. The trial of
Trump, now out of office, be-
gins Tuesday.
Angry Trump loyalists
wanted Cheney removed
from the No. 3 post in House
GOP leadership. But she won
the conference vote 145-61.
Cheney, the eldest daughter
of former Vice President Dick
Cheney, did not back down
from her vote.
Asked about the conference
challenge, Cheney said on Fox
News Sunday that she had no
apologies.
“The oath that I took to the
Constitution compelled me
to vote for impeachment and
it doesn’t bend to partisan-
ship, it doesn’t bend to politi-
cal pressure,” she said. “It’s the
most important oath that we
take.”
During a break in the de-
bate, House Minority Leader
Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.,
had signaled that he backed
Cheney.
“Liz has the right to vote
her conscience,” McCarthy
said. “At the end of the day,
we’ll get united.”
Bentz said late Friday that
though he opposed impeach-
ment, he backed retaining
Cheney after she told the con-
ference her vote was an indi-
vidual choice, not as a party
leader reflecting the GOP
consensus on the issue.
The tally was secret, but
members were free to make
public how they voted.
Shaban Athuman/Dallas Morning News/TNS
U.S. Rep. Ron Wright speaks in
Midlothian, Texas, in 2019.
fore contracting the virus. Two
weeks ago Wright and his wife,
Susan, were admitted to Baylor
University Medical Center in
Dallas because of COVID-19
side-effects.
Wright announced Jan. 21
that he had tested positive “af-
ter coming in contact with an
individual with the virus last
week.” He had been in quaran-
tine since Jan. 15 and said he
would remain in isolation until
doctors cleared him to return
to work.
“I am experiencing minor
symptoms, but overall, I feel
okay and will continue working
for the people of the 6th District
from home this week,” he said
at the time in a statement issued
by his office. “I encourage ev-
eryone to keep following CDC
guidelines and want to thank all
Hernandez expulsion vote
possible Feb. 16
Oregon House Speaker
Tina Kotek, D-Portland, said
Monday that Rep. Diego Her-
nandez, D-Portland, would
likely face a Feb. 16 vote to ex-
pel him from the House.
Five women have accused
Hernandez of using his po-
sition as a state lawmaker to
sexually harass them. The
House Conduct Committee
voted 4-0 Friday to sustain 18
findings of violation of House
rules.
As of Monday, Gov. Kate
Brown, Treasurer Tobias
Read, Senate President Peter
Courtney, D-Salem, Kotek
and 26 of 37 House Demo-
crats have called on Hernan-
dez to resign, which he has
refused to do. The Feb. 16
vote would require votes of
two-thirds of the House —
40 members — to expel him.
Hernandez was seen as a po-
tential political star when he
was elected to the House in
2016 at age 29.
Salem security under
discussion
The plywood boards that
covered the lower level win-
dows of the Oregon Capitol
in case of violent demonstra-
tions around the Jan. 20 in-
auguration of President Joe
Biden in Washington, D.C.,
are being removed.
The boards were put up af-
ter a Department of Home-
land Security alert to states
that right-wing groups that
back Trump might attack
state capitols. The Oregon
Capitol was assaulted by
www.bendbulletin.com
541.382.1811
Continued from A1
The 22-page lawsuit names
as defendants several Red-
mond Police supervisors, in-
cluding Chief Dave Tarbet, Lt.
Eric Beckwith, former presi-
dent of the Redmond officers
union Garland Hicks and ad-
ministrative Lt. Jesse Petersen,
who serves as department
spokesman.
Petersen deferred a request
for comment on Monday
to the city’s communication
director, who cited a policy
against commenting on pend-
ing litigation.
Fraker contends the alleged
campaign against him began
in late 2018 after he reported
a Bend Police officer to super-
visors for aggressive behav-
ior observed at a local firing
range. Petersen and the officer
are members of the region’s
interagency SWAT team, the
Central Oregon Emergency
Response Team, and, accord-
ing to the suit, are friends.
After Fraker went to the
Bend officer’s bosses, Petersen
asked Fraker to not interfere
with his friends on SWAT
again, Fraker says in the suit.
Several months later, Pe-
tersen called Fraker into his
office and told him “you’re
either with me or against me,
and if Fraker was against him,
it would “make his ‘D’ come
out,’ Petersen allegedly told
him.
“Plaintiff took this to mean
Lt. Petersen intended to be-
come more aggressive to-
wards him if he continued to
the medical professionals on the
front lines who fight this virus
head-on every single day.”
The quarantine began two
days after the House voted
to impeach then-President
Donald Trump. Wright voted
against the impeachment, as did
all but 10 Republicans.
That was his final House
vote, congressional records
show.
Wright, given his age and
health complications, stayed
away from Washington for
stretches at a time over the last
11 months, House voting re-
cords show. While congressio-
nal leaders have taken steps to
stop COVID-19’s spread, sev-
eral lawmakers have still con-
tracted the virus.
Wright had not received
a vaccination, unlike many
House members. But Wright
had just received the OK from
his doctors to get the two-shot
program before he contracted
COVID-19, his office had said,
and was planning to do so in
the near future.
Although the pandemic had
not claimed the life of any other
sitting member of Congress,
Rep.-elect Luke Letlow, a Lou-
isiana Republican, died from
coronavirus complications just
five days before he would have
been sworn in.
groups on Dec. 21 during a
special session of the Legis-
lature. They used lower level
side doors and windows in an
attempt to enter the rotunda
area.
After fighting with state po-
lice, they were ejected.
Hardware is being installed
to make it easier and faster to
put up the boards if necessary
in the future.
Nearman investigation
continues
The Marion County Dis-
trict Attorney’s office has
been sent the Oregon State
Police investigative report on
the alleged role of Rep. Mike
Nearman, R-Independence, in
aiding the Dec. 21 rioters to
enter the Capitol, Kotek said
Monday.
Security video shows Ne-
arman exiting a locked side
door of the Capitol during the
demonstration outside, which
remained open and was soon
used by rioters to get into the
building.
Kotek said any action
against Nearman by the
House would most likely
await the decision of the
district attorney’s office on
whether to prosecute.
Unemployment, right-wing
threats top Fagan agenda
Oregon Secretary of State
Shemia Fagan, elected in No-
vember, released her 2021-22
Audit Plan last week. One of
the office’s jobs is to internally
investigate the performance
of state agencies.
“This year’s audit plan is di-
rected at many of those most
pressing issues with an eye
toward building a better Ore-
gon for everyone,” Fagan said
in a statement. Planned audits
include:
• An analysis of the Oregon
Unemployment Insurance
Program’s chaotic perfor-
mance during a historic rise
in unemployment in the wake
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The audit would identify ways
that the monthslong wait for
benefits would not happen
during a future crisis.
• Emergency response is-
sues during the 2020 wild-
fires.
• Oregon’s COVID-19 vac-
cine distribution program,
which has been criticized for
its pace and priorities.
• Contamination risks of
rural water supplies.
• Oregon law enforcement’s
handling of violent domestic
terrorist groups that have in-
cluded violent attacks at the
Oregon State Capitol.
• Fairness of licensing and
regulation of legal cannabis
business.
• The performance of state
and local 911 emergency call-
ing systems.
• Cybersecurity at state
agencies and local govern-
ments, some of which use an-
tiquated systems.
• Mortgage interest deduc-
tion and its relationship to
impacts on homeless services.
To view the full 2021-22
audit plan, click here https://
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/
liz/2021R1/Downloads/
CommitteeMeetingDocu-
ment/230571
e e
Donald “Ryan” Fraker contends the alleged campaign
against him began in late 2018 after he reported
a Bend Police officer to supervisors for aggressive
behavior observed at a local firing range.
push back against the conduct
described above,” Fraker’s
lawyer wrote in the suit.
In another incident in
the summer of 2019, Fraker
hosted a 911 dispatcher as
a ride-along. He told the
woman she could park in the
department parking lot, but
Redmond Lt. Curtis Cham-
bers allegedly issued her a
parking citation during the
ride-along. Fraker explained
the situation to Chambers,
but Fraker claims he was
laughed at and told Chambers
didn’t care if the woman had
permission.
Following this incident,
the lawsuit states every lieu-
tenant in the department be-
gan treating Fraker poorly
and the mistreatment of
plaintiff became increasingly
more “formal,” the lawsuit
states. The suit describes a
party involving SWAT team
members where officers pre-
sented Beckwith with a cus-
tom screen-printed pillow
adorned with a large picture
of Fraker’s face.
“Beckwith began berating
the pillow and yelling profan-
ity at it,” the lawsuit states.
Fraker was ultimately fired
in February 2020 after an in-
ternal investigation into his
handling of a Nov. 19, 2019,
e e
Internet
In Deschutes County, pri-
mary care providers will be
contacting their patients who
are 80 and older who qual-
ify for the vaccine. Accord-
ing to 2018 U.S. Census data,
there are an estimated 7,500
residents 80 and older living
in Deschutes County, said
Morgan Emerson, Deschutes
County Health Services
spokeswoman.
“These appointments most
likely will be done over the
phone,” Emerson said. “Be-
cause of limited availability
of the vaccine, people will get
a call.”
Last week, the governor
outlined a plan to vaccinate
Oregon’s senior citizens, those
65 and older, who would be
eligible by March 1 and re-
ceive the first dose by April.
Deschutes County re-
ceived its first round of doses
for seniors, 1,200 first-doses
late last week. Meanwhile,
residents can still receive
their second doses at the De-
schutes County Fair & Expo
Center.
There’s a lot of interest and
confusion in this age group,
said Elaine Knobbs-Seasholtz,
Mosaic Medical director of
strategy and development.
“We have lists pulled for
each age group,” Knobbs-Sea-
sholtz said. “People are defi-
nitely interested. Many peo-
Reporter: 541-383-0325,
gandrews@bendbulletin.com
Don’t have internet?
Continued from A1
Call 541-699-5109 to
get help filling out the
COVID-19 vaccine interest
form 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-
day through Friday. People
can also call 211 or 866-
698-6155 from 6 a.m. to
7 p.m. daily including hol-
idays. Wait times may be
long, but there is an option
to leave a message.
ple are very grateful and have
already gotten their vaccine
at the fairgrounds.”
The state recognizes that
not everyone can sign up for
a COVID-19 vaccine online,
said Jonathan Modie, Oregon
Health Authority spokesman.
Anyone calling the state’s 211
system can get help accessing
a county’s website to obtain
information about a pub-
lic vaccination clinic. In five
counties, Clackamas, Colum-
bia, Marion, Multnomah and
Washington, residents who
call 211 can book an appoint-
ment for a vaccine, Modie
said.
“We know there are people
who may not have access to
the internet or are not com-
fortable with it, and we want
to make sure that they have
the same level of service as
everyone else,” Modie said.
“We have options.”
e e
Reporter: 541-633-2117,
sroig@bendbulletin.com
gwarner@eomediagroup.com
Robert “Bob” “Silver
Eagle Bob” William
Monson of Bend,OR
We have had great results with
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Amy Remick
Offi ce Manager
Gilmore Dental
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vehicle-and-foot pursuit that
he supervised as a sergeant.
He claims Beckwith and oth-
ers “blindsided” him with an
extensive three-hour inter-
view and more than 100 ques-
tions in an effort to catch him
making inconsistent state-
ments.
The 2019 pursuit incident
led to a so-called Brady hear-
ing with Deschutes County
District Attorney John Hum-
mel.
In Oregon, district attor-
neys keep lists of police offi-
cers determined to have been
untrustworthy in the past,
also called Brady lists for the
landmark U.S. Supreme court
case, Brady v. Maryland.
Hummel opted to add
Fraker’s name to his Tier II
Brady list, rather than Tier I,
meaning that although Frak-
er’s department considered
him untruthful, Hummel did
not.
In 2019, former officer
Craig McClure sued Red-
mond for enabling a culture
of bullying encouraged by
Tarbet, Beckwith and oth-
ers. His suit, which cited age
discrimination against the
42-year-old rookie, settled out
of court last year.
June 24, 1940 - Jan 31,
2021
Arrangements:
Niswonger-Reynolds 541-
382-2471 www.bendfuner-
alhomes.com
Services:
2/10/2021 10:00 am Rec-
itation of Rosary 10:30 am
Funeral Mass St. Francis
of Assisi Catholic Church
2450 Ne 27th St. Bend OR
Contributions may be
made to:
Knights of Columbus Fr.
Luke Sheehan Council
2450 Ne 27th St. Bend,
OR 97701
Philip John Swee
of Redmond, OR
December 30, 1961 -
February 1, 2021
Arrangements:
Autumn Funerals of
Redmond is honored to
serve the family.
541-504-9485 Memories
and condolences may be
expressed to the family on
our website at
www.autumnfunerals.net
Services:
A celebration of life will
take place at a later date.
Carol Joan Laite of
Redmond, OR
Jan 01, 1940 - Jan 29,
2021
Arrangements:
Arrangements Entrusted
To: Redmond Memorial
Chapel; 541.548.3219.
Please visit www.redmond-
memorial.com to sign the
on-line guest book, or to
leave a thought, memo-
ry or condolence for the
family
Services:
A Funeral Service is
Scheduled to be held
at Redmond Memorial
Chapel; 717 SW 6th St.,
Redmond; on Friday, Feb.
12, 2021 at 2pm
Contributions may be
made to:
VFW, American Legion,
Band of Brothers, or Dis-
abled Veterans Charity of
Your Choice
OBITUARY DEADLINE
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