[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 19793]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING KIRK P. GREGG UPON HIS RETIREMENT AS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT 
         AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, CORNING INCORPORATED

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Reed) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a great company in 
my district, Corning Incorporated, an American company that has risen 
over its 164-year history to become one of the most innovative 
manufacturers in the world. But, Mr. Speaker, in particular, I rise to 
take a moment to honor one of the individuals of that company that has 
made it one of the leading manufacturers across the world. That 
individual is Kirk Gregg, Corning's executive vice president and chief 
administrative officer, who is retiring from the company after 22 years 
of executive leadership.
  Over his tenure, Kirk has made an enormous contribution to the 
company's success and to the community's development. I am most 
grateful to Kirk for his unparalleled commitment to the community. He 
has had an enormously positive impact on our constituents and our 
extended family who live in the district.
  Mr. Speaker, Kirk joined Corning in 1993 and was named chief 
administrative officer in 2002. The same year, he was appointed to 
serve on Corning's management committee, a small, very senior group of 
executives who lead the company on a day-to-day basis. Over the last 
decade, Kirk has risen up the corporate ladder to become the third 
highest ranking executive in the company.
  As chief administrative officer, Kirk has built the core 
infrastructure that makes Corning efficient and effective. He has had 
global responsibility for the corporate staff, including human 
resources, information technology, supply management, transportation, 
business services, community relations, government affairs, and 
aviation--a long list indeed. In total, he has managed over $1 billion 
annually in corporate infrastructure, making Corning's staff one of the 
top performers among its peers in the country's corporate community.
  It has been Kirk's work for the community that distinguishes him 
among the corporate leaders and for which I am most grateful. He has 
played a huge role in meeting the needs of New York's southern tier. 
For 17 years, he chaired the Three Rivers Development board, attracting 
tens of millions of dollars of investment to diversify the local 
community and create jobs. For 15 years, he led the Corning Classic 
LPGA tournaments, raising millions of dollars for our area hospitals. 
And statewide, he served for a decade on the board of directors for the 
Business Council of New York State, 2 years as the board's chairman. 
Last, but not least, he has been an enthusiastic supporter of our local 
charities, cultural institutions, and human service organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, every Member of Congress seeks the perspective of people 
with broad insight into and who would contribute generously to the 
communities we represent. For me, Kirk is one of those rare people. He 
understands the people, the community, and the responsibility that 
corporate leaders have to support their local institutions. At the same 
time, Kirk is modest and self-effacing. Kirk is one of those people who 
works quietly and effectively to make our communities better.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to call Kirk Gregg my friend. I know 
that I speak for the entire southern tier-Corning, New York, community 
when I thank him for his citizenship and service. We wish him and his 
wife, Penny, the very best in a well-deserved retirement. May they 
enjoy many more happy days entering this new chapter in their great 
lives.

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