[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 9 (Friday, January 15, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E43]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING PETE LOPEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. JENNIFFER GONZALEZ-COLON

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 15, 2021

  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker I rise today in recognition of the 
service of Pete Lopez, who is ending his term as Regional Administrator 
of the Environmental Protection Agency for Region 2.
  Region 2 includes New York, New Jersey, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 
Puerto Rico, and having someone with Puerto Rico roots in charge of 
this Region was especially important in these last 4 years.
  Puerto Rico was already facing important challenges in the areas of 
solid waste management, brownfields, power plant emissions and 
Superfund sites, in a territory with very limited extension of lands 
and waters. Pete Lopez made a great effort to work together with the 
Island government, the municipalities, and my office, to move through 
bureaucratic hurdles, review prior decisions, and inform the 
stakeholders, in order to perform the necessary work to protect the 
environment and empower the economic recovery of our communities.
  But it was the devastation created by Hurricanes Irma and Maria that 
resulted in the biggest challenge with damage to environmental control 
facilities, drinking and wastewater processing infrastructure, and the 
generation of prodigious amounts of debris that our overstretched solid 
waste management systems were in no position to handle. Puerto Rico 
found in Pete Lopez a tireless supporter committed to our recovery and 
to have our rebuilding proceed the right way. Prior to joining EPA Mr. 
Lopez served as a Member of the New York State Assembly for over 10 
years and 6 terms. During this time, Mr. Lopez successfully addressed 
flood recovery issues; helped create jobs; and both supported and 
advocated for children, families, teachers, schools, businesses, family 
farms and more. This definitely prepared him for what he had to face 
during his tenure at EPA. He knows what constituents need and what are 
their concerns, and what local and state governments need from the 
federal agencies.
  As he completes this stage in his career, I congratulate him on his 
achievements, recognize his great efforts and wish him every possible 
success on the road ahead. Thank you, gracias, Pete, for your 
collaboration and for being there for us.

                          ____________________