[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 11, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H1592-H1593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING CATHERINE LANG

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History 
Month to recognize a dedicated public servant from Nebraska's Seventh 
District. Catherine Lang's record of leadership and advocacy for the 
State's small business community has improved the lives of many 
Nebraskans.
  Catherine earned both her bachelor of fine arts and juris doctor 
degrees

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from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As a leader with a passion for 
fostering educational and economic opportunities for Nebraskans, she 
has worked hard to build a more robust environment for businesses and 
universities. She also plays an active role in several philanthropic 
and public organizations.

                              {time}  1015

  Not only has she grown as a leader, the responsibilities entrusted to 
her have grown as well. Catherine has been crucial in guiding State 
agencies through periods of transition and expansion. Throughout her 
career, she has served Nebraska as the Department of Revenue's deputy 
tax administrator, the Nebraska property tax administrator, the 
commissioner of labor, and as the director of the Department of 
Economic Development.
  Catherine inherited a legacy of service from her parents, Hugh and 
Lillian Lang. Her father, Commander ``Chic'' Lang, served as a 
distinguished Navy pilot during World War II and later as an instructor 
at the U.S. Navy War College, and her mother enlisted in the U.S. Air 
Force.
  Catherine's parents instilled in her a value she has instilled in her 
three sons: the importance of a college education as a door to 
opportunity. Because of this, the Lang family established a scholarship 
for students at the UNO College of Business for the purpose of 
cultivating opportunity and character.
  Currently, Catherine holds the position of State director of the 
Nebraska Business Development Center and assistant dean at the UNO 
College of Business. She leads statewide outreach for NBDC and builds 
collaborative efforts in the Nebraska University system to support the 
institution's mission of economic development.
  Thank you, Catherine, for dedicating your life to serving and 
inspiring others, and we thank you for strengthening relationships 
within our community.


                Honoring Timothy Kenny on his Retirement

  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Timothy Kenny and his 
exceptional service as the executive director of the Nebraska 
Investment Finance Authority, or NIFA. Timothy has been serving 
Nebraskans in this role since 1994. Before he joined NIFA, he served as 
director of programs for the Utah Housing Finance Agency and as 
executive director of the Texas Housing Finance Agency.
  NIFA administers programs to help Nebraskans finance affordable 
housing, medical facilities, community infrastructure, and industrial 
development projects. They also serve first-time farmers and ranchers 
by providing affordable financing strategies across the Great Plains.
  In the 36 years of its existence, NIFA has worked diligently to 
finance over 91,000 mortgages for affordable single-family homes. 
Additionally, over 23,600 affordable rental housing units for 
Nebraskans living on a budget have been created. Under Tim's 
leadership, NIFA has taken care of our Armed Forces by providing over 
$96.1 million in home buyer's assistance.
  Previously, Timothy served as a certified public accountant for a 
private tax and audit practice in Dallas, Texas, and then worked his 
way up to chief financial officer for homebuilding and real estate 
firms in Texas and Colorado.
  He now resides in Cass County, Nebraska, with his wife, Sara, three 
children, and numerous grandchildren. On top of his commendable public 
service, Timothy has supported his children and country through more 
than 20 deployments in the United States Armed Forces.
  Timothy continues to be active in Nebraska by serving on the National 
Council of State Housing Agencies, the National Association of Home 
Builders, the Nebraska Subprime Advisory Task Force, and the Governor's 
Disaster Recovery Task Force. He exemplifies what it means to be a 
Nebraskan through his hard work, service to others, and compassion for 
those in need.
  I congratulate Timothy on a notable career of public service and a 
retirement that is well deserved.

                          ____________________