[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S7165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO ASSISTANT SECRETARY JESSE ROBERSON

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, on Tuesday, June 15, I received some very 
sad news, that Jessie Roberson had announced her resignation as the 
Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management at the Department of 
Energy effective July 15.
  I have known Jessie since I was first elected to the Senate in 1996. 
At the time she was the site manager for the Rocky Flats Environmental 
Technology site in my State of Colorado. Through our common interest at 
Rocky Flats, I got to know her quite well. She not only impressed me 
with her depth of knowledge but here innovation and determination in 
making sure that Rocky Flats would be one of the first major DOE sites 
to close. Under her watch from 1996 to 1999, the Rocky Flats closure 
date went from 2015 to 2006. I know it was her leadership that moved 
this ambitious plan forward.
  When President Bush was elected in 2000, it was that same leadership 
and determination that convinced me to put her name forward knowing 
that she would be the best person for the job of Assistant Secretary 
for Environmental Management at the Department. And I can say, 
unequivocally, that she has not disappointed.
  When I met with her shortly after being confirmed, I told her that 
the environmental management program was broken and in need of major 
reforms. I added that this would not be easy and that some people would 
not like the changes which are necessary to make the program work. She 
agreed and she promised that she would work hard to effect change. 
While she later told me that it has not been easy, she kept the course 
and has transformed the program from one of just motion to true action. 
The Department has made tremendous progress in getting sites closer to 
closure. I can honestly say that what some people did not think 
possible 3 years ago is closer to happening; and that is that sites 
will be closing. I can only attribute this to the leadership of this 
extraordinary woman.
  During her confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural 
Resources Committee on May 16, I inserted into the Record a Denver Post 
editorial entitled ``Roberson a Top Flight Pick'' and quoted one line 
from the editorial. It said:

       The Department's environmental management job is in fact 
     one of the toughest positions in the Federal Government. 
     There likely is not a better person around to tackle the 
     task, than Jessie Roberson.

  I believed that statement then, and after 3 years on the job, she 
proved that statement to be true.
  She has done a tremendous job not just for President Bush and 
Secretary Abraham, but for the entire country. She has made our country 
safer by accelerating the cleanup of some of the world's most dangerous 
places. She is making sure that our children and grandchildren are not 
going to have to bear the burden of these contaminated sites.
  While I am saddened to see her leave her post at the Department, I 
know that she has nothing but the brightest future ahead of her. I am 
proud to call her my friend and I wish Jessie and her daughter Jessica 
all the best. Thank you, Jessie Roberson, for your service.

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