[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 111 (Thursday, July 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL JOHN GROSSENBACHER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 2015

  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John 
Grossenbacher for an exceptional career dedicated to public service. 
After a distinguished 33-year career in the United States Navy, John 
became Laboratory Director of the Idaho National Laboratory in 2005. 
Since becoming Lab Director, John has dedicated himself to making INL a 
world-class nuclear energy research and development institution. John's 
tenure as Lab Director will soon come to an end, and while his legacy 
of leadership will endure for some time, I want to take this moment to 
say thank you and best wishes for the future.
  When John Grossenbacher assumed command of the Idaho National 
Laboratory, he navigated the separation of cleanup work from research 
activities and the merger of two distinctly different research 
institutions. Since that time, John has brought a focus and purpose to 
INL's nuclear energy programs and he has worked with various leaders at 
the Department of Energy to strengthen our nation's nuclear energy 
programs and the important facilities in Idaho. Part of John's charge 
was to bring in the best and brightest to lead INL and the talent that 
he has brought to Idaho from other labs, industry and universities has 
strengthened our institution and its impact. John also spearheaded an 
effort to revitalize INL's facilities. Today what once was a field in 
Idaho Falls is now a gleaming boulevard with modern and efficient 
laboratories and offices. Idaho National Laboratory is now a strong, 
vibrant and respected institution and John Grossenbacher, the Battelle 
Energy Alliance, the Department of Energy, and the State of Idaho 
deserve credit for this enormously successful partnership.
  While John pushed hard for the modernization of INL's nuclear 
capabilities, he also recognized that INL's unique physical and 
intellectual infrastructure provided opportunities to greatly expand 
the lab's work in national and homeland security programs, clean energy 
initiatives and regional partnerships. Today these INL programs are 
having a significant impact in their own unique areas and more and more 
people are looking to work with INL to solve their pressing challenges 
and get results.
  As Laboratory Director, John Grossenbacher has steered the lab 
through numerous challenges and hurdles. In each of these instances, 
John assesses the situation, he tells you what he thinks, and he does 
what he thinks is necessary to solve the problem. John's candor, his 
unmatched integrity and his dedication to his job have ruffled feathers 
at times but have also brought him scores of supporters and advocates--
and respect. Count me among his supporters.
  John Grossenbacher has given INL a legacy of leadership and world 
class capabilities. John still has lots of energy and a desire to serve 
his country; and I am confident we will see him soon in some other 
significant capacity after his tenure at INL comes to an end.
  Speaking for many, many others let me say, Admiral, thank you for a 
job well done.

                          ____________________