[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S11910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RETIREMENT OF RAY KAMMER

 Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, those of us who have been around 
this town for a while know how much we and this government depend on 
our civil servants to get the really tough jobs done, to bring ideas to 
reality, and sometimes to even tell us when our ideas need some 
adjusting, shall we say. These people don't get much praise, at least 
not nearly enough.
  One of the classic examples of a dedicated civil servant, Ray Kammer, 
is about to retire from government service after 31 years. Ray retires 
on December 29 as Director of the Commerce Department's National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, where he spent the vast majority 
of his career. I have known Ray for a good portion of that time, both 
from his work at NIST and from the time he spent at the Department's 
headquarters and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
NOAA.
  In the late 1980's, the country called upon NIST, which used to be 
known as the National Bureau of Standards, to help industry rally and 
regain its competitiveness. It was a time when we first began facing 
severe competition from overseas. The Bureau's labs had a long-standing 
reputation for excellence, impartiality, and for working cooperatively 
with industry. Ray helped us to expand that mission by establishing 
NIST and adding the Advanced Technology Program, the Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership, and the Baldrige National Quality Program. It 
wasn't easy, but we got it done. Ten years later--with Ray's help--
those programs have been tremendously beneficial for this country.
  While at NOAA and during his time as Acting Assistant Secretary for 
Administration at the Commerce Department, Ray helped to stabilize 
several critical programs that needed the steady hand of an experienced 
manager. He was the Department's fireman of sorts, always being called 
on to help put out this fire, put out that fire, and to keep another 
one from breaking out. Even now, Ray is helping us take a look at how 
to improve NOAA's fisheries service.
  I am sorry that we are losing Ray, especially at a time when NIST is 
just about to begin its centennial year and the agency will be getting 
a lot more attention and credit for all of the good work that its staff 
has done. I want to wish him my very best. I know that I am joined by 
others in this body who have had the pleasure of working with this 
dedicated public servant, Ray Kammer.

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