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“TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL JOHN GROSSENBACHER” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1079 on July 16, 2015.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL JOHN GROSSENBACHER
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HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON
of idaho
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John Grossenbacher for an exceptional career dedicated to public service. After a distinguished 33-year career in the United States Navy, John became Laboratory Director of the Idaho National Laboratory in 2005. Since becoming Lab Director, John has dedicated himself to making INL a world-class nuclear energy research and development institution. John's tenure as Lab Director will soon come to an end, and while his legacy of leadership will endure for some time, I want to take this moment to say thank you and best wishes for the future.
When John Grossenbacher assumed command of the Idaho National Laboratory, he navigated the separation of cleanup work from research activities and the merger of two distinctly different research institutions. Since that time, John has brought a focus and purpose to INL's nuclear energy programs and he has worked with various leaders at the Department of Energy to strengthen our nation's nuclear energy programs and the important facilities in Idaho. Part of John's charge was to bring in the best and brightest to lead INL and the talent that he has brought to Idaho from other labs, industry and universities has strengthened our institution and its impact. John also spearheaded an effort to revitalize INL's facilities. Today what once was a field in Idaho Falls is now a gleaming boulevard with modern and efficient laboratories and offices. Idaho National Laboratory is now a strong, vibrant and respected institution and John Grossenbacher, the Battelle Energy Alliance, the Department of Energy, and the State of Idaho deserve credit for this enormously successful partnership.
While John pushed hard for the modernization of INL's nuclear capabilities, he also recognized that INL's unique physical and intellectual infrastructure provided opportunities to greatly expand the lab's work in national and homeland security programs, clean energy initiatives and regional partnerships. Today these INL programs are having a significant impact in their own unique areas and more and more people are looking to work with INL to solve their pressing challenges and get results.
As Laboratory Director, John Grossenbacher has steered the lab through numerous challenges and hurdles. In each of these instances, John assesses the situation, he tells you what he thinks, and he does what he thinks is necessary to solve the problem. John's candor, his unmatched integrity and his dedication to his job have ruffled feathers at times but have also brought him scores of supporters and advocates--
and respect. Count me among his supporters.
John Grossenbacher has given INL a legacy of leadership and world class capabilities. John still has lots of energy and a desire to serve his country; and I am confident we will see him soon in some other significant capacity after his tenure at INL comes to an end.
Speaking for many, many others let me say, Admiral, thank you for a job well done.
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