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 THE RETIREMENT OF GARY PETERSEN” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H1255-H1256 on Feb. 16, 2017.
The State Department is responsibly for international relations with a budget of more than $50 billion. Tenure at the State Dept. is increasingly tenuous and it's seen as an extension of the President's will, ambitions and flaws.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF GARY PETERSEN
(Mr. NEWHOUSE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of my dear friend, and fellow WSU alumnus, Mr. Gary Petersen.
Following his graduation in 1965, Gary began a distinguished career on behalf of our country and notable Washington institutions, such as the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Hanford, Energy Northwest, the State Department, and, recently, as vice president of the Tri-City Development Council.
For 5 decades, Gary has been a devoted advocate for the Tri-Cities, and his efforts have been critical to the area's growth and development. He is also an unwavering proponent of PNNL and the defense nuclear waste cleanup mission at Hanford. In Congress, Gary has provided me with critical counsel, while generously serving on my Hanford Working Group.
His integrity and distinguished career were recognized with his 2013 induction into WSU's Murrow Alumni Hall of Achievement.
I am honored to call Gary a friend, and will be forever grateful for his patriotism and dedicated service to the Tri-Cities and our great Nation.
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