[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATING ABIGAIL ROSS HOPPER

  (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Abigail 
Ross Hopper, who is retiring from her role as president and CEO of the 
Solar Energy Industries Association.
  For nearly a decade, Abby has led efforts to develop, to enact, and 
defend policies to support solar energy and energy storage.
  During this time, the solar industry has been massively successful. 
Costs have come down dramatically. Some 250 gigawatts of installed 
solar capacity nationwide now exist. That is enough to power 45 million 
homes, making solar an important and rapidly growing part of our 
electricity mix.
  As of 2024, the industry employed 280,000 Americans across thousands 
of companies including a recent boom in domestic manufacturing jobs. 
One of the greatest developments over the past few years has been the 
huge growth in American-made solar panels and components.
  Thanks to policies championed by Abby and SEIA, the United States has 
become the third largest solar module manufacturer in the world. While 
I am saddened by Abby's departure, I am confident that because of her 
leadership, the solar industry is well-positioned to continue playing a 
leading role in delivering the affordable, reliable, and pollution-free 
electricity that Americans are indeed counting on.

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