[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 144 (Wednesday, October 15, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12602-S12603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DR. BILL SHIPP

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge the 
recently announced decision of Dr. Bill Shipp to retire as president 
and laboratory director of the Idaho National Engineering and 
Environmental Laboratory, INEEL. After over 4 years as laboratory 
director and 3 years as president of Bechtel BWXT Idaho, the company 
that manages and operates the INEEL for the U.S. Department of Energy, 
Dr. Shipp is retiring to pursue other endeavors. Knowing him as I do, 
hunting and fishing will be high on the list of ``other endeavors.''
  Dr. Shipp came to Idaho as part of the Bechtel team that won the 
contract to manage the INEEL in 1999. He had previously served with 
distinction as an associate lab director of the Pacific Northwest 
National Laboratory.
  His years at the INEEL have been filled with accomplishment, 
leadership, and an ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. 
Under his leadership, the INEEL met critical cleanup milestones to 
cleanup the site and ship waste out of Idaho. The leadership he has 
provided at the INEEL has resulted in the growth of both the funding 
and respect for the INEEL's research and development capabilities. 
Within the Department of Energy's National Laboratory network he is 
respected by his peers.
  In 1999, Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne named Dr. Shipp as Idaho's 
first Science and Technology Advisor to the Governor. In that capacity, 
he made important recommendations to the State and the Governor 
regarding the Idaho education system.
  Dr. Shipp's record of leadership and accomplishment was recognized by 
Purdue University when it named him one of the institution's 
distinguished alumni in 2002. He returned to West Lafayette, IN, to 
receive that award, and I know that was a special moment for Dr. Shipp, 
his wife Linda and their children, Jennifer and John.
  I enjoyed meeting with Dr. Shipp when he has come by my office to 
update me on how things are going at the INEEL. During these meetings, 
one of us would ask if the other had been hunting. As I think back, I 
realize lab directors get to hunt more than Senators, but what I 
remember most is Dr. Shipp and I always made plans to hunt

[[Page S12603]]

quail together at a mutual friend's ranch. One season, our plans were 
cancelled because he broke his leg while hunting. I am sorry we never 
did go quail hunting together, but I want him to know the offer still 
stands.
  Within the DOE system, laboratory directors serve as stewards of 
national assets. These are difficult jobs where mistakes are not 
tolerated and success is expected. Within these demanding constraints, 
Dr. Shipp set the standard for performance and accomplishment with a 
commitment to safety and people. More than that, Bill Shipp is a man 
who others look to for guidance and support. I am pleased to call Bill 
Shipp a friend and I want to say thank you for your service to Idaho, 
the DOE and the Nation.

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