[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E46]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING KRISTINE SVINICKI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 19, 2021

  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and enthusiasm 
that I take a few moments to recognize the tremendous career of public 
service of Ms. Kristine Svinicki, who recently announced that she will 
step down later this month as Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission.
  As the Representative of Idaho's Second Congressional District and 
Chair and Ranking Member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations 
subcommittee, I have spent my career advocating for the expanded use of 
safe and reliable nuclear energy. In that effort, I had the distinct 
pleasure to work closely with Kristine in a number of capacities, and 
like everyone else who has worked with her, I found her to be a 
consummate professional and dedicated public servant.
  After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in 
nuclear engineering, Kristine's career led her to the Department of 
Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy and the Office of Civilian 
Radioactive Waste Management. Her time with DOE also included a stop at 
the Department's Idaho Operation Office in Idaho Falls. Kristine was 
later detailed by the DOE to the U.S,Senate where she supported Idaho 
Senator Latty Craig on a variety of energy issues. After a stint with 
the Senate Armed Services Committee, in 2007 President George W. Bush 
nominated Kristine to serve as a Commissioner on the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission and in 2017, President Donald J. Trump designated her as 
Chairman.
  During her three terms at the NRC, Kristine brought unparalleled 
knowledge, passion and leadership to her work. Kristine never came to a 
meeting unprepared, and I always left hearings and meetings with her 
impressed by her insights and persuasiveness.
  As the nuclear industry has faced challenges, the federal government 
has worked to support the current fleet of reactors as appropriate, to 
modernize the regulatory process to allow advanced reactor technologies 
to enter the market and to right-size the staff at the NRC. In all of 
those issues, Commissioner and Chairman Svinicki brought a steady hand 
and a constructive ``let's get to work'' attitude to the process.
  Chairman Svinicki's commitment to public service has been exceptional 
and she is a role model for those who want to serve our government and 
make an impact in a positive way. Kristine blazed her own trail, and 
she will leave behind scores of friends, colleagues and coworkers who 
will miss her intellect, her commitment to public service and her wry 
sense of humor.
  While Kristine was born and raised in Michigan, we in Idaho like to 
claim her as one of our own. I am so proud of all Kristine has 
accomplished, and more importantly how she did it. On behalf of so many 
grateful Americans, I want to say thank you to Kristine for her service 
and extend my best wishes in the future.

                          ____________________