[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 21 (Thursday, February 4, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E121-E122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. HAROLD McFARLANE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 4, 2016

  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my thanks to a 
dedicated public servant. After forty-three years of service, 
achievement and recognition, Dr. Harold McFarlane is retiring from the 
Idaho National Laboratory. Speaking at a colleague's retirement 
ceremony years ago, Harold noted that his colleague ``came to work 
every day and made a difference.'' The same can be said of Dr. 
McFarlane, he came to work every day and he made a difference.
  If you are going to try to pay tribute to Harold McFarlane, you are 
going to need lots of time and lots of paper. Harold's accomplishments 
and contributions as a scientist, an administrator, and a leader are as 
impactful as they are extensive.
  After graduating from high school in Texas, Harold earned a Bachelor 
of Science degree from the University of Texas. Harold then went to the 
California Institute of Technology to earn his PhD in engineering 
science. After a short stint teaching nuclear engineering at New York 
University, in 1973 Harold moved his young family to Idaho to join 
Argonne-West National Laboratory to start up the Zero Power Plutonium 
Reactor, or ZPPR as it is known in Idaho. Thus began Harold's forty-
three year career at Argonne-West and the Idaho National Laboratory. At 
the labs, Harold became involved in almost every major Department of 
Energy advanced reactor, nuclear fuel cycle, international 
collaboration, and space power project.
  While working at Argonne-West, Harold took up another challenge and 
earned his Master's in Business Administration from the University of 
Chicago. As recognition of his skills and leadership became better 
known, in 2006 Harold was elected President of the American Nuclear 
Society.
  In 2011, Harold served special assignment in Washington, DC 
supporting the Office of Nuclear Energy, and in the wake of the

[[Page E122]]

Fukushima earthquake and tsunami, Harold became a key technical source 
for Secretary Chu and others at the Department of Energy (DOE) 
explaining what was happening on the ground. Harold later received a 
special commendation from DOE for his contribution during this time.
  Harold continued his contribution to international nuclear 
collaboration when he served as the Technical Director of the 
Generation IV International Forum (GIF) and later Chief of Staff to the 
GIF chairman.
  Throughout his career, Harold has been put in charge of difficult 
technical projects, and he led, mentored, and executed all with 
professionalism and distinction. Along the way, Harold accumulated a 
cadre of colleagues, friends and young scientists who wanted to work 
with him
  Since his days at the University of Texas, Harold has had one partner 
in this wonderful career and life, his wife Mary Ellen. Harold would be 
the first to acknowledge that although his work and reputation made him 
one of the most recognizable nuclear professionals in the world, in 
Idaho Falls he is best known as Mary Ellen's husband.
  Harold and Mary Ellen are avid golfers and the two have played 
courses around the world in another pursuit of excellence. Along with 
their son Matt, Mary Ellen and Harold deserve our thanks and well 
wishes as his career at the lab ends.
  Harold, thank you for coming to work every day and for making a 
difference.

                          ____________________