[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 73 (Friday, May 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E962-E963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE SERVICE AND RETIREMENT OF ALLEN LI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 3, 2007

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
valued professional staff member of the Government Accountability 
Office--Allen Li--who is retiring from GAO after more than 28 years of 
service. During that time, he has provided invaluable oversight 
assistance to the Congress, and in particular to the Committee on 
Science and Technology.
  As Director of the Acquisition and Sourcing Management Team, Mr. Li 
has been responsible for leading GAO's work related to the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Examples of his recent oversight 
efforts include NASA's efforts to develop and build the International 
Space Station (ISS), Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), the James Webb 
Telescope, and shuttle alternatives for supplying the ISS; the agency's 
management of its Deep Space Network (DSN); and NASA's implementation 
of its financial management system. He also has been a strong advocate 
for better cost estimation and project management at NASA and has aided 
the Committee's efforts to seek improvements at NASA in those areas. 
Mr. Li appeared before the Committee to testify on a range of NASA 
issues over the years, and we always found his testimony to be serious 
and thoughtful. He also testified before the Columbia Accident 
Investigation Board following the tragic loss of the Shuttle Columbia 
and its crew.
  Prior to assuming the aforementioned duties, Mr. Li was an Associate 
Director in GAO's Energy, Resources, and Science Issue Area where he 
directed work on research and development, nuclear safety, and 
Department of Energy management issues. However, those assignments 
represent only a part of his service to Congress and the Nation. Over 
the past 28 years at GAO, he has worked in several other units in GAO, 
including the Transportation Issue Area where he specialized in 
aviation safety and air traffic control modernization. Mr. Li has also 
frequently testified before Senate and House Committee and 
Subcommittees on civil and military issues, such as the F-22.
  The quality of Allen Li's service has been recognized by GAO, and he 
has received the

[[Page E963]]

Comptroller General's Distinguished Service Award, two Comptroller 
General's Meritorious Service Awards, and Director and Outstanding 
Achievement Awards from several GAO units.
  Those who work at GAO make important, though often unheralded, 
contributions to improving the performance of our government. As Allen 
Li retires from GAO, I know that my fellow Committee members join me in 
wishing him well and in thanking him for his decades of dedicated 
public service.

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