[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 118 (Friday, June 26, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E579-E580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SAVANNAH RIVER NATIONAL LABORATORY FELLOWS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2020

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, congratulations to four 
Savannah River National Laboratory staff that have been named Fellows. 
This distinguishable title and achievement of Laboratory Fellow was 
awarded to Dr. Ralph James, Joe Cordaro, Dr. David Diprete, and Dr. 
Robert ``Bob'' Sindelar.
  Dr. Ralph James, Associate Laboratory Director, Science and 
Technology, has over 35 years of experience in research and development 
in multiple fields, including nonproliferation, national security, 
environmental remediation, nuclear medicine, energy, and astrophysics. 
An avid inventor, Dr. James has 24 patents on radiation detection, 
spectroscopy and imaging, and has over 600 scientific publications, six 
book chapters, and 15 invited review articles. He was been awarded 
numerous international honors for his work on nuclear detection and 
imaging and has received six R&D100 awards.
  Joe Cordaro has worked at the Savannah River National Laboratory 
since 1989. He is recognized across the Department of Energy complex 
and internationally as an expert in nuclear instrumentation, process 
control, and

[[Page E580]]

high-speed data acquisition. Mr. Cordero is part of the SRNL team that 
developed an automated controlled-potential coulometer used in the 
measurement of plutonium that is used by the IAEA, Los Alamos National 
Laboratory, and Japanese Atomic Energy Agency. Mr. Cordaro has 12 
inventions with 4 patents.
  Dr. David Diprete has served as the technical lead for the 
radiochemistry team in the SRNL Analytical Development's Nuclear 
Measurement Group since 1994. He has played a significant technical and 
leadership role at SRNL, serving and supporting DOE's environmental 
management missions as well as other federal entities. He has developed 
customized radiochemical methods to characterize radionuclides to lower 
detection levels than previously possible in highly radioactive 
material, thereby facilitating the closure of numerous waste tanks at 
the site. In 2016, he was the winner of the Donald Orth Lifetime 
Achievement Award, the highest distinction given by SRNL.
  Dr. Robert ``Bob'' Sindelar is recognized as an expert in the Life 
Management of nuclear systems, structures, and components including 
those used for fuel storage, nuclear materials separations facilities 
and high level waste storage. An accomplishment scientist with about 40 
years of experience, Sindelar has been a technical driver for many 
programs and activities that have enabled the site to receive and 
provide extended storage for multiple types of used nuclear fuel. He is 
the Savannah River National Lab's lead for nuclear materials 
technologies programs supporting the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission.
  Congratulations to all these Fellows on this tremendous achievement. 
I appreciate Dr. Vahid Majidi, the Director of the Savannah River 
National Lab, whose leadership has resulted in the lab's national 
success and achievements. I would also like to commend Colin Demarest, 
a journalist at the Aiken Standard, for covering this story and 
highlighting the success of these prestigious Fellows.

                          ____________________