[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E790-E791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING LOU KENNEDY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH NORMAN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 2021

  Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lou Kennedy and 
her substantial contributions to our home state of South Carolina.
  A South Carolina native, Lou attended Lexington High School and 
graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in 
Journalism. Lou has held a variety of marketing and operation roles 
throughout her career and currently serves as the President, Chief 
Executive Officer, and Owner of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a 
pharmaceutical manufacturer specializing in Blow-Fill-Seal technology. 
Lou joined Nephron Pharmaceuticals in 2001 and quickly created a 
national sales force. She also headed the effort to move the company's 
headquarters from Orlando to Columbia in 2014, creating over 800 new 
jobs in the Palmetto State.
  Under Lou's leadership, Nephron Pharmaceuticals has experienced 
unprecedented growth and now employs nearly 2,000 workers. Lou recently 
announced the expansion of Nephron Pharmaceuticals and the opening of 
Nephron Nitrile, a new plant that will be produce American-made, 
medical-grade nitrile gloves and will be headquartered in Lexington 
County. This expansion is a continuation of the Nephron team's efforts 
to support Governor McMaster's initiative to bring the production of 
life-saving medications and supplies back home to the United States. 
Lifelong friend to Lou and CEO of Vikor Scientific, Sam Konduros said 
there is ``not one passive bone in Lou's body . . . she is very action-
oriented, and very results-driven.'' Lou's long list of accomplishments 
proves this to be true.
  As a mother to a wonderful daughter and two-step daughters, Lou has 
instilled in her family a strong work ethic and a desire to find ways 
to succeed. Lou believes that hard work needs to be modeled, and she 
sets this example for both her family and her employees. You'll often 
find Lou spending her days in the office working alongside everybody in 
the plant to create a cohesive, hard-working team.
  In addition to her strong professional leadership and go-getter 
attitude, Lou is an engaged and philanthropic individual. She serves on 
a variety of business and civic boards, including the South Carolina 
Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the 
Palmetto Business Forum. An avid Gamecocks fan, Lou also serves on the 
USC Athletic Department Board and has generously donated to her alma 
matter. For example, she and her husband helped establish the Kennedy 
Pharmacy Innovation Center in conjunction with the USC School of 
Pharmacy. She is affectionately known as ``Cockadoodle Lou'' for her 
financial support and gracious engagement with the institution.
  As a testament to her outstanding service, Lou is the recipient of 
numerous awards and honors, including the Outstanding Leadership Award 
from the National Association of Manufacturers and the Woman of the 
Year Award from the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance. She was also 
named Ambassador of the Year by the Greater Columbia Chamber of 
Commerce. Among other honors, Lou also received the Order of the 
Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor, from former Governor 
Nikki Haley.
  Lou Kennedy is a remarkable woman whose work has truly made a 
difference for the Midlands region and for the entire state of South 
Carolina. On behalf of the 5th Congressional District, I congratulate 
and thank her for her continued service.

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