[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 108 (Monday, June 29, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN RESEARCH INSTITUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 29, 2026

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Lake 
Champlain Research Institute in the Center for Earth and Environmental 
Science at SUNY Plattsburgh on the dedication of its new research 
vessel, the R/V Leptodora.
  The Leptodora replaces LCRI's longtime research vessel, the 
Gruendling, which has served researchers on Lake Champlain for more 
than three decades. This state-of-the-art vessel will expand the 
Institute's ability to conduct cutting-edge research, support student 
training, and advance our understanding of Lake Champlain. Under the 
leadership of Dr. Timothy Mihuc, the Institute has built a reputation 
for scientific excellence through investments in modern laboratory 
equipment, advanced field instruments, and innovative monitoring 
technologies that provide critical data on the health of Lake 
Champlain.
  The Leptodora was made possible through a strong partnership with the 
Great Lakes Fishery Commission, which provided $750,000 toward 
construction of the custom-built vessel, along with additional support 
for a multi-year deep-lake ecology research initiative. The new vessel 
will play a central role in that project, enabling scientists and 
students to collect data more efficiently and safely while expanding 
research opportunities on the lake. The Commission's continued 
investment reflects its longstanding commitment to scientific research, 
fisheries management, and environmental stewardship throughout the 
region.
  Named after Leptodora kindtii, a transparent zooplankton species 
found in Lake Champlain and an important component of the lake's food 
web, the vessel symbolizes the Institute's mission to better understand 
and protect the complex ecosystems that sustain the lake. Through 
research conducted aboard the Leptodora, SUNY Plattsburgh students will 
gain invaluable hands-on experience while contributing to the 
scientific knowledge needed to preserve Lake Champlain for future 
generations.
  On behalf of New York's 21st District, I extend my sincere gratitude 
to the Lake Champlain Research Institute, the Great Lakes Fishery 
Commission, Dr. Mihuc and his team, and all of the partners whose 
dedication and support have made this important achievement possible. 
Their work strengthens the North Country, advances freshwater science, 
and helps ensure the long-term health and preservation of Lake 
Champlain.

                          ____________________