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“HONORING ROBERT F. RIORDAN” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2657 on Dec. 19, 2007.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING ROBERT F. RIORDAN
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HON. TODD TIAHRT-
of kansas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Mr. TIAHRT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my good friend, Robert F. Riordan, who is retiring after many years of active involvement in the Kansas business community. Bob is set to retire at the end of the year as the head of government relations for Black & Veatch, a leader in energy and water industries, and one of Kansas's largest businesses.
Bob is the eldest of Francis Xavier and Elizabeth Parris Riordan's four sons. He was raised in Wichita and Salina, KS. Despite the loss of his father when Bob was only 13 years old, he excelled in academics and sports while at Sacred Heart High School in Salina. At Sacred Heart, he was captain of the basketball team, a member of the 1958 American Legion State Champions, and valedictorian of his class.
Upon graduation from Sacred Heart in 1960, he attended the United States Naval Academy. Bob received his commission as an ensign in 1964 upon his graduation from Annapolis. He married Pamela Elizabeth Sutton, and together they have three children and three grandchildren, with two more grandchildren on the way. Bob served his country for 11 years while on active duty as a naval officer. He made numerous deployments to Vietnam and saw much combat. His deployments included serving on the USS Haverfield (DER 393) and the USS New Orleans (LPH-11). While on active duty, he achieved the rank of lieutenant commander, a rank he made as an early selectee.
Wanting to spend more time with his family, Bob returned to Kansas after 11 years of service. Bob has always put his family first, and is a loving and caring husband and father. Throughout the years, he made financial and professional sacrifices to make sure that his relationship with his family came first.
Bob spent 3 years in Salina, working for Marymount College and the engineering firm of Wilson & Sons. While in Salina, he became interested in our Nation's energy policies and alternative energy. He started his own business for alternative energy in Salina before being appointed to a position with the then Kansas Department of Energy. After leaving his appointment, he moved to Lawrence, KS, and spent several years with the University of Kansas developing various forms of alternative energy. In 1982, Bob began doing government relations work for Kansas Power & Light, and was central to the development of their energy policies. While at Kansas Power & Light, Bob became vice president of operations, and helped to create a successful strategy to bring economically efficient power to Kansas.
In 1991, Bob left Kansas Power & Light to help create a fuel-cell company based out of Connecticut. He then came to work with Black & Veatch, starting with a project to build a power plant in Florida. He returned to Kansas in 1994 as head of Black & Veatch's government relations, and has continued in this position to the present day. Throughout his time at Black & Veatch, I have had the opportunity and privilege to work with Bob on a wide range of exciting projects.
Throughout his life, Bob has always been a man of integrity, honor, and loyalty. Bob's word is his pledge. More importantly, Bob will do something or take some action simply because it is the right thing to do. Bob never carries a grudge, and he never keeps score of what he has done for others. Through his service to his country, dedication to his career, and devotion to his family and friends, he exemplifies all that is best about Kansans.
I would like to wish Bob, and his wife Pam, all the best as they enter this new chapter of their lives.
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