[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 31, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E78]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING MR. NORM PETERSON UPON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HALEY M. STEVENS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2023

  Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the illustrious 
career of Mr. Norman ``Norm'' D. Peterson upon his retirement from 
Argonne National Laboratory. Norm has been a leader in the science, 
technology, and innovation realm for over 35 years, and it has been an 
honor to learn from and, at times, work alongside his expertise. Norm's 
commitment to the scientific enterprise of this nation and the 
policymakers who shape its work will have a lasting impact into the 
future. Please help me celebrate this remarkable servant of the public 
interest and wish him well as he embarks upon this next chapter.
  Early in his career, Norm Peterson was identified as a skilled leader 
in the science, technology, and economic development issues. Upon the 
creation of the Illinois Governor's Commission on Science and 
Technology, Norm was selected to become its first Executive Director. 
In this role, he oversaw the commission's creation and administration 
of a technology-oriented economic development program. This 
comprehensive plan incorporated technology transfer projects at 
universities and national laboratories and investment fund allocations 
to support the development of start-up, technology-driven businesses, 
showcasing Norm's extensive knowledge of science, technology, and 
economic development.
  Norm's career at Argonne National Laboratory began in 1987. Though 
the laboratory had been operational for many years prior, its scope 
vastly expanded over the past 35 years, with Norm playing a crucial 
role in cultivating Argonne's reputation of excellence during this 
time. Argonne National Laboratory is now one of the U.S. Department of 
Energy's largest national laboratories for science and engineering 
research, housing over 1,250 scientists and engineers working to solve 
our nation's most pressing challenges in energy, the environment, and 
national security.
  The expertise that Norm brought to his work led him to become the 
Director of Government Affairs for Argonne, a role that he crafted 
himself to maximize the efforts of the lab moving into the 21st 
century. His skill was heavily leaned upon as Argonne directed the 
construction of 3 major national user facilities--the Advanced Photon 
Source, Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, and Center for Nanoscale 
Materials. In addition, he was instrumental in launching the Guest 
House as the first state-funded building in the national lab complex 
and in his work helping plan the Joint Center for Energy Storage 
Research and the Q-NEXT quantum center.
  Stakeholders from across the country recognize Norm as a valuable 
resource to science and technology research efforts, earning him 
membership on several boards and advisory groups. He earned a place on 
the Editorial Board of the Journal of Urban Technology, the University 
of Puerto Rico Center for Advanced Nanoscale Materials External 
Advisory Board, and the Northern Illinois University Research 
Foundation Board, among others. In addition to his professional 
contributions, he is also a dedicated servant to youth in his 
community, by previously serving on the Board of Directors for the 
Youth Campus, providing residential and community based social services 
to abused and neglected children.
  In his retirement, Norm and his beloved partner, Lori Clark, are 
eager to enjoy international travel and spend more time with his 
daughter, Erika Peterson, and granddaughter, Emma. The couple intends 
on remaining in the Chicago area as they enter the next chapter of 
Norm's prolific life, and despite his retirement, I am certain that we 
will hear more from him in the years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to celebrate my friend and mentor, Mr. 
Norman D. Peterson, for his incredible contributions toward scientific 
and technological advancement in our nation. Colleagues, please join me 
in celebrating Norm Peterson and wishing him well as he transitions 
into his well-earned retirement.

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