[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 111 (Thursday, July 12, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S9128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RETIREMENT OF DALE W. SOPPER

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today we recognize a distinguished 
executive at the Social Security Administration, Dale W. Sopper. Dale 
is the Deputy Commissioner for Budget, Finance and Management. He is a 
dedicated public servant who has served his country in public service 
for 42 years.
  A native of Allentown, PA, he began his Federal career as a claims 
insurance specialist in the local Social Security Office in Kansas 
City, MO. After 2 years, he was selected for the Management Intern 
Program at the then-Department of Health, Education and Welfare. He 
served in a number of increasingly responsible positions there and in 
the Department of Health and Human Services over the next 16 years, 
ultimately serving as HHS' Assistant Secretary for Management and 
Budget.
  Dale returned to the Social Security Administration in 1983 as the 
Deputy Associate Commissioner for Management, Budget and Personnel. In 
his current position as Deputy Commissioner for Budget, Finance and 
Management, Dale is responsible for providing executive leadership and 
direction in administering: a comprehensive financial program of budget 
policy, formulation and execution; accounting policy and operations; 
the agency's acquisition and grants program; audit resolution and 
liaison; the internal controls program; agencywide facilities and 
publications management programs; and the agency's efforts to improve 
annual wage reporting and wage reconciliation activities. In addition, 
Dale serves as SSA's chief financial officer, senior procurement 
executive and principal deputy ethics counselor.
  During Dale's long and distinguished career with both agencies, he 
has received many awards--of special note, the Presidential Rank Awards 
for Distinguished Executive and Meritorious Executive, the Donald 
Scantlebury Memorial Award, the Elmer Staats Award and the Frank 
Greathouse Distinguished Leadership Award.
  Dale will retire from the Social Security Administration on August 3, 
2007. He is an exceptional career executive who has consistently 
demonstrated strength, integrity, diligence and a relentless commitment 
to public service and the well-being of our citizens across the Nation. 
Through his extraordinary leadership and achievements, he has inspired 
countless men and women with whom he has worked over these past 42 
years.
  It is important that we in Congress recognize the many men and women 
who devote their working lives to improve the lives of others. Career 
civil servants often do their work in quiet anonymity behind the scenes 
providing vital service to the American people. They are rarely 
recognized for their important contribution. Dale Sopper is one of 
those people. His record of leadership at the Social Security 
Administration and his commitment to providing the American people with 
effective and compassionate service is a record of which he can be 
justly proud.
  I wish Dale all the best in his retirement from Federal service and 
thank him for his many years of dedicated service.

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