The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RECOGNIZING WALSH ENGINEERING SERVICES” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Senate section on pages S6813 on Oct. 11, 2018.
The Department oversees energy policies and is involved in how the US handles nuclear programs. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department's misguided energy regulations have caused large losses to consumers for decades.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING WALSH ENGINEERING SERVICES
Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, Idaho is home to many innovative, ambitious, and industrious small businesses. Today I would like to honor a small business that represents all of these qualities. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my distinct privilege to recognize Walsh Engineering Services as the Small Business of the Month for October 2018. Walsh Engineering Services is a woman-owned design and architectural engineering firm, which provides high-quality technical and design services to various public and private sector customers throughout Idaho and around the country.
Located in Idaho Falls, ID, Walsh Engineering Services was founded by Stephanie Walsh along with a group of dedicated engineers. An Idaho Falls native, Stephanie was raised in a potato farming family and went on to graduate from the University of Idaho with a degree in mechanical engineering. After graduation, Stephanie returned home and began working for the Department of Energy's Idaho National Lab. While at the INL, Stephanie recognized the emerging need for expert contractors at one of our country's most important nuclear research centers. In 2005, Stephanie finally took the plunge and founded Walsh Engineering Services. Owning her own business and working with the INL as a contractor allowed her to continue to work to meet the needs of the INL, as well as those of a growing Southeastern Idaho.
Since its founding, Walsh Engineering Services has grown from a small group of dedicated engineers and designer-drafters, to a full-service engineering and architecture firm staffed by architects, cost estimators, and support personnel. Their goal has always been to provide high-quality, reliable, and responsive professional technical services to their customers. Their clients have expanded over the years from the INL to other DOE National Laboratories, the State of Idaho Department of Public Works, and fabrication firms located throughout the country. Stephanie is an outstanding example of Idaho's unique entrepreneurial spirit and is an inspiration to women entrepreneurs across the great State of Idaho.
As you may know, October has been designated as National Women's Small Business Month. This month, we celebrate the critical contributions that women like Stephanie Walsh make to our country's economy every day. There are more than 9.9 million women-owned small business in the United States, employing over 8 million people. In 2017, women-owned small businesses generated over $1.4 trillion in sales. I am pleased to honor a great women-owned small business this month in Walsh Engineering. Stephanie Walsh and her employees at Walsh Engineering exemplifies the perseverance and hard work that lead women-
owned small businesses to success.
Stephanie's team at Walsh Engineering Services is committed to supporting INL's mission of clean energy, national security, science, and the environment. While Stephanie founded the company to support the changing needs of the INL, Walsh Engineering Services is also focused on training the next generation of workers to continue the history of professionalism and success at the INL. The firm not only offers jobs to recent graduates of Idahoan universities but also develops the next generation of engineers through the firm's internship program.
Stephanie is proof of Idaho's unique entrepreneurial spirit. Through her hard work, expertise, and reputation for quality work, Stephanie's company has grown over the past 13 years and now employs approximately 75 Idahoans who provide valuable contracting services to public and private entities. Stephanie Walsh is a great example to both young female engineers and woman entrepreneurs throughout Idaho and the Nation. I would like to congratulate Stephanie and all of the employees at Walsh Engineering Services for being named the Small Business of the Month for October 2018. I wish you good luck in your future endeavors and look forward to watching your continued growth and success.
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