[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 181 (Tuesday, November 29, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING EMPLOYEES OF THE IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 2011

  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize seven employees 
of the Idaho National Lab who recently received awards from Secretary 
of Energy, Steven Chu, for their assistance to the people of Japan in 
dealing with the disaster caused by the recent earthquake and tsunami 
and for their efforts to secure enough special nuclear material to 
produce almost 800 nuclear weapons.
  Eight months ago a devastating disaster struck Japan when a massive 
earthquake and unprecedented tsunami struck the island nation, killing 
over 16,000 people and causing a serious reactor accident. Recovery was 
complicated by a near total destruction of the surrounding 
transportation infrastructure. At the greatest time of need the Idaho 
National Laboratory offered its assistance, which was gratefully 
accepted by the people of Japan. INL employees Doug Burns, Cal 
Christensen, Betsy Connell, Harold McFarlane, Joy Rempe and Derek 
Wadsworth assisted by assessing the damage in near real time, providing 
technical assistance and coordinating the delivery of specialized 
equipment to assist in controlling the radiological effects.
  Eric Howden led a 14 year program to secure ten tons of highly 
enriched uranium and three tons of plutonium from Kazakhstan. These 
efforts have resulted in relocating enough fissile material to produce 
almost 800 nuclear weapons at a time when there was great turmoil in 
the region and an emerging international terrorist threat.
  I am proud to represent the Idaho National Lab, which has through its 
history been the worldwide leader in advancing the safe and peaceful 
use of nuclear energy. As the worldwide demand for energy and 
environmental concerns increase, the responsible use of nuclear power 
will continue to grow. As it does, the dedicated employees of the Idaho 
National Lab will continue their efforts to improve the impressive 
safety record of nuclear power and promote technologies that prevent 
future accidents and reduce the threat of nuclear weapons from falling 
into the wrong hands.

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