[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 22, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM D. MAGWOOD IV

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2014

  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my thanks to a 
dedicated public servant who is moving on to another important 
assignment. Bill Magwood, currently a Commissioner on the Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission (NRC), will depart for Paris in September to 
serve as the Director General of the Organization for Economic 
Cooperation and Development's Nuclear Energy Agency. I want to wish 
Bill and his wife Janet all the best as they embark on this great 
adventure. I know Bill will do a wonderful job in this new position.
  As a Member of Congress representing Idaho's second congressional 
district, I got to know Bill as the Director of the Department of 
Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy. In that capacity, Bill played an 
instrumental role in forming the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as the 
nation's lead lab for nuclear energy and that designation has served 
the nation, the nuclear energy industry and the State of Idaho very 
well. Bill Magwood's vision for INL and creative institutions such as 
the Center for Advanced Energy Studies has exceeded all of our 
expectations and we owe Bill a debt of gratitude for his foresight and 
perseverance.
  After leaving the Department of Energy and working in the private 
sector for a few years, Bill was asked by President Obama to return to 
government service and serve on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Bill 
accepted this challenge, but I do not believe he or anyone else had any 
idea of what was in store for him Under Bill's watch at the NRC, the 
Fukushima disaster hit Japan and the NRC was thrust into the spotlight 
to explain the situation to the American people. At the same time, the 
NRC was faced with serious internal challenges, which Bill met with 
courage and conviction, and for this he deserves our recognition and 
praise.
  Bill Magwood has served his country with honor and distinction and I 
want to offer my praise as he moves on to his new international 
leadership role.

                          ____________________