[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11336]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATING RANDY ERICKSON

  (Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to recognize 
and thank Mr. Randy Erickson, a constituent from Kodiak, Alaska.
  Recently, on behalf of the National Rural Electric Cooperative 
Association's International Foundation, he traveled from Kodiak, 
Alaska, to South Sudan. While there, Mr. Erickson repaired and serviced 
power generators for the two utilities that provide these towns with 
electricity. This work is part of the Electrification Sustainability 
Program in South Sudan, funded by the U.S. Agency for International 
Development.
  One project has evolved into a self-sustaining municipal electric 
cooperative serving approximately 1,300 consumer members. The other 
project also serves approximately 550 customers, including household, 
commercial enterprises, public institutions, and nongovernmental 
organizations.
  After the 2005 peace agreement in South Sudan, the National Rural 
Electric Cooperative Association International Foundation sent a team 
of experienced engineering and management staff to establish the first 
electric cooperative, and later to build two more rural utilities in 
other areas.
  The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International 
team provided training at these utilities to strengthen the competency 
of their directors, management, and employees.
  Civil unrest broke out again last December, and many people were 
evacuated. Recently, USAID and the State Department began approving 
travel for its employees and partners to South Sudan, and Mr. Erickson 
volunteered his time and skills for the National Rural Electric 
Cooperative Association International Foundation to help ensure that, 
despite the unpredictable situation, the people in these areas could 
still have electricity.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Erickson for his hard work.

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