[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 RECOGNIZING KEVIN HARRIGER FOR BEING APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF 
  AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS AND TRADE LIAISON AT UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND 
                           BORDER PROTECTION

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                           HON. MARK S. CRITZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 20, 2011

  Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Kevin Harriger, a native 
of southwestern Pennsylvania, for being named Executive Director for 
agriculture inspection programs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(USCBP), Office of Field Operations.
  In his new capacity, he is responsible for overseeing USCBP's efforts 
to protect America's agricultural resources against the threats posed 
by domestic and foreign plant pests and diseases. Mr. Harriger is 
uniquely qualified to take on this role, as ensuring the safety of 
naturally-cultivated consumer products has been the principal cause of 
his career.
  Prior to assuming his current position, Mr. Harriger was the Deputy 
Executive Director for CBP's office of Agriculture Operational 
Oversight. As such, he was responsible for ensuring that USCP's 
agricultural inspection policies were being implemented smoothly and 
consistently. The skillfulness with which he executed the duties of 
this job are in large part a product of the experience he gained while 
working for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service (APHIS), both as a Regional Director in 
Raleigh and as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Administrator for 
APHIS-PPQ in Conyers, Ga.
  While with APHIS, he honed his knowledge of both agricultural policy 
and plant pathology. His expertise in both of these areas is a 
testament to his intelligence and dedication to his craft. While I am 
deeply impressed by his ability to understand and analyze esoteric 
scientific subjects and public policy, I am even more impressed by the 
passion he has shown for using this ability to promote the greater 
good. All of us should use our talents for such selfless purposes.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Kevin Harriger on this 
appointment and thank him for his many years of public service.

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