[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                      TRIBUTE TO THOMAS J. HELLER

  Mr. THUNE. Madam President, today I recognize the distinguished 
career, public service, and leadership of Thomas J. Heller.
  Tom has served as president and CEO of Missouri River Energy Services 
for 30 years, joining the company in 1992 as its fourth CEO since the 
organization's founding in 1965. After leading the organization for 
three decades, Tom announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2023.
  Under his leadership, Missouri River Energy Services navigated a 
changing energy landscape to provide reliable and resilient electricity 
to 61 member communities across South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and 
North Dakota. Tom's hard work has certainly not gone unnoticed. In 
2014, he was the recipient of the American Public Power Association's 
Alan H. Richardson Statesmanship Award, and, in 2020, he received the 
Mark Crisson Leadership and Managerial Excellence Award. Tom's 
colleagues speak highly of both his work and his character, and his 
departure will certainly leave big shoes to fill.
  Before joining Missouri River Energy Services, Tom worked for the 
Moorhead Public Service Department for 16 years, including 7 years as 
general manager. Nationally, Tom serves on the executive committee of 
the Transmission Access Policy Study Group, the Missouri Basin Power 
Project Management Committee of Laramie River Station, and the American 
Public Power Association's CEO Climate Change and Generation Policy 
Task Force.
  Following his retirement, Tom plans to spend more time with his 
grandkids Graham and Matilda. I am grateful for his commitment to 
public service, his hard work on behalf of Missouri River Energy 
Services and its member communities, and, more importantly, I am proud 
to call him a friend.
  I commend Tom for his many great contributions throughout his long 
career and wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.

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