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.
“TRIBUTE TO BOB FORD” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the in the Senate section section on page S8879 on Dec. 18, 2015.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO BOB FORD
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Bob Ford, who is retiring from Senate service. Bob is a valued, longtime member of my staff and dear friend.
In September of 2002, Bob joined my staff as the State director for business, economic, and rural development. Bob, originally from the Sunny Slope area of Canyon County, brought to the position a profound knowledge of rural and economic development shaped by his service as the State manager of rural development for the Idaho Department of Commerce, where he worked for 17 years in various capacities.
To say that Bob assisted me in a number of issue areas is an understatement. He has worked on far too many efforts to count. In addition to his work on rural and economic development issues, he has worked on initiatives related to housing, labor, trade, veterans, energy, banking, budget, taxes, immigration, water resources, transportation, and much more.
Highlights of his contributions as a member of my staff include his successful work to stop the transfer of the terminal approach control radar, known as TRACON, from the Boise airport. Bob spent countless hours working with affected parties to build an overwhelming justification for retaining TRACON at the Boise airport. He also worked heavily on trying to restore a key Amtrak corridor between the Midwest, the Intermountain States, and the Pacific Northwest.
As a fellow veteran, Bob has utilized his shared understanding of serving our Nation to connect with Idaho's veterans community and help improve veterans' access to quality services. He has attentively and efficiently administered the presenting of the Spirit of Freedom Award, which is an annual award to veterans and volunteers to recognize their great contributions to our armed services and veterans.
Bob is pragmatic and witty. He brings his calm, commonsense approach to any task, and I will miss his logical counsel and good humor. Bob is so widely admired that there has been no shortage of Idahoans who have shared fond memories of times they have worked with Bob over the years and the achievements he has made for the people of our great State.
Bob, you have done ``not bad for a kid who grew up on a farm in Sunny Slope on the banks of the Snake River.'' I hope that retirement will provide much-deserved time fishing, and that I will still get to benefit from your wise assistance from time to time. Thank you for your outstanding, committed service. Congratulations on your retirement. I wish you all the best.
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