[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 82 (Thursday, May 11, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   IN RECOGNITION OF BYRON BUNKER FOR BEING NAMED A FINALIST FOR THE 
               SAMUEL J. HEYMAN SERVICE TO AMERICA MEDAL

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2017

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Byron Bunker for 
being named a finalist for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America 
Medal. Mr. Bunker's work as Director of Compliance Programs for the 
Environmental Protection Agency was key to uncovering Volkswagen 
Group's automotive emissions evasion scheme and safeguarding public 
health.
  Since 1999, Mr. Bunker has worked for the EPA's National Vehicle and 
Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which conducts tests 
to certify that vehicles and engines meet the United States' emissions 
and fuel economy standards. As Director of the NVFEL's Compliance 
Division, Mr. Bunker tests automobiles and their components to ensure 
that they comply with clean air regulations. Working in conjunction 
with academic researchers and other federal officials, Mr. Bunker 
helped uncover and halt a scheme by Volkswagen to evade emissions 
standards through the use of software designed to intentionally fool 
regulators about the true emissions levels of its diesel vehicles. This 
discovery eventually resulted in the largest penalty ever levied 
against a car manufacturer and helped lay the foundation for additional 
criminal investigations. These have resulted in $4.3 billion in civil 
and criminal penalties, as well as indictments against Volkswagen 
executives.
  Mr. Bunker's expertise and tireless efforts played a critical role in 
uncovering this wrongdoing and underscore the importance of the EPA's 
enforcement efforts. As a result of Mr. Bunker's work, the EPA was not 
only able to detect a sophisticated and widespread emissions evasion 
scheme, but also strengthen its testing procedures to prevent similar 
deceptions in the future. Through his rigorous work and collaboration 
with other officials in the EPA, Mr. Bunker has been an important 
driver of efforts to protect Americans' health and the environment, and 
it is my hope that he continues to effectively safeguard public health 
and safety in the years ahead.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Byron Bunker 
for being named a finalist for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America 
Medal. Mr. Bunker's rigorous enforcement work has been important in 
protecting public health and safety.

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