[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 194 (Monday, November 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DR. MARK PETERS

  Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, along with my colleague Senator Mike Crapo, 
I rise today to honor our friend Dr. Mark Peters. Dr. Peters, who led 
the Idaho National Lab INL--for 5 extraordinary years, will be stepping 
down from his position as director of the INL to pursue a new role with 
Battelle Energy Alliance.
  Throughout his long and distinguished tenure at the INL, our national 
laboratories, and other highly respected research institutions, Dr. 
Peters has earned a reputation as a leading voice in the U.S. nuclear 
community. He is highly respected by Congress, the administration, 
industry, and stakeholders because of his knowledge and his engaging 
and inclusive style. Simply put, Dr. Peters is a giant in the nuclear 
industry. He has served as a senior advise to the U.S. Department of 
Energy on nuclear energy matters and as a fellow of the American 
Nuclear Society, a prestigious recognition for his outstanding 
accomplishments in nuclear science and technology.
  As INL director, Mark led the State's fifth largest employer and 
skillfully managed its team of more than 4,000 scientists, engineers, 
and support staff at our country's premiere nuclear, cybersecurity, and 
scientific research laboratory. Thanks to his leadership, the Lab is 
thriving and its future is bright. It would be difficult to list every 
one of Mark's many accomplishments at the Lab, but there are several 
key achievements that have propelled the INL to new heights.
  Mark played a pivotal role in getting the Nuclear Energy Innovation 
Capabilities Act signed into law. He also succeeded in bringing the 
National Reactor Innovation Center to Idaho, ensuring that the Lab will 
continue to lead the development and deployment of advanced nuclear 
reactor designs well into the future.
  Furthermore, Dr. Peters was instrumental in growing the mission of 
the Lab. Mark invested time and energy into making the INL a world 
leader in industrial control systems cybersecurity to match its well-
established reputation for nuclear energy. This research arm has helped 
ensure the safety and security of our Nation's critical infrastructure 
while acting as a boon to eastern Idaho's economy.
  Recognizing the inherent opportunity in its expanding cybersecurity 
practice, Dr. Peters worked closely with the Sate of Idaho to construct 
two new buildings at the Lab's Research and Education Campus. These 
world-class centers facilitate cutting-edge research by government and 
private industry, while providing Idaho students with opportunities to 
develop modeling, simulation, and cybersecurity skills for in-demand 
careers in Idaho and beyond.
  The Idaho Falls community not only benefited from Mark's leadership, 
but that of his wife, Ann Marie Peters. Her tireless efforts to expand 
programs and acquire the latest technologies at the College of Eastern 
Idaho have provided thousands of students with unprecedented high-
quality educational opportunities. Throughout the community, Mark and 
Ann Marie are known for their willingness to take time out of their 
busy schedules to help young people navigate college and career 
opportunities and for their generous support of organizations like the 
Idaho Falls Arts Council and United Way.
  We wish Mark, Ann Marie, and their family the very best in their new 
endeavor. We thank them for their service and dedication to making the 
Lab and surrounding communities such a vibrant place to work and call 
home. Eastern Idaho is a better place because of the Peters family, and 
for that, all of Idaho is deeply grateful.

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