[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF VERONICA BRAKER'S DISTINGUISHED WORK AT BASF

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 10, 2018

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Veronica Braker 
for her distinguished work as Vice President of Operations Performance 
Materials at BASF. She has been an outstanding leader for the company 
and Wyandotte plant for years.
  The Science, Technology, Engineering and Production (STEP) Ahead 
Awards Gala is an annual celebration to honor women in manufacturing 
who are providing leadership in their companies. American women make up 
approximately 50 percent of the country's workforce, but only 29 
percent of the manufacturing industry, and STEP Ahead seeks to 
highlight the women who are paving the way for a more inclusive and 
equal field of work. The Manufacturing Institute is recognizing 130 
women in manufacturing from across the country who are leaders in their 
respective fields and positions, ranging from shop worker to company 
executive. Veronica Braker is extremely deserving of this recognition 
for the work that she has done for BASF North America through her 
leadership.
  Graduating from Christian Brothers University in 1992 with a Bachelor 
of Science in Chemical Engineering, Mrs. Braker worked for a variety of 
companies including Milliken & Company, The Clorox Company, GE, Flint 
Hills Resources, before joining BASF as a Manufacturing Manager in 
2011. Since working at BASF, Ms. Braker has held multiple positions 
including Head of Operations for North America-Performance Materials 
and her current position, Vice President of Operations-Performance 
Materials. She has always been passionate about the environment, 
safety, and health, and seeks to better conditions in BASF facilities 
throughout North America. She is known at BASF for her positivity, hard 
work and ingenuity. Throughout her career, she has opened doors a 
little wider for the women who came after her, including the creation 
of a three-year career development program for women at the company. 
She is truly deserving of recognition at tonight's Annual STEP Ahead 
Awards Gala, and I look forward to seeing her continued contributions 
to the manufacturing industry.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Veronica 
Braker for her lifetime of work in the manufacturing industry. She has 
provided distinguished leadership in the field for over 25 years.

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