Recognizing Catherine Lang

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History Month to recognize a dedicated public servant from Nebraska's Seventh District. Catherine Lang's record of leadership and advocacy for the State's small business community has improved the lives of many Nebraskans.

Catherine earned both her bachelor of fine arts and juris doctor degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As a leader with a passion for fostering educational and economic opportunities for Nebraskans, she has worked hard to build a more robust environment for businesses and universities. She also plays an active role in several philanthropic and public organizations.

Not only has she grown as a leader, the responsibilities entrusted to her have grown as well. Catherine has been crucial in guiding State agencies through periods of transition and expansion. Throughout her career, she has served Nebraska as the Department of Revenue's deputy tax administrator, the Nebraska property tax administrator, the commissioner of labor, and as the director of the Department of Economic Development.

Catherine inherited a legacy of service from her parents, Hugh and Lillian Lang. Her father, Commander ``Chic'' Lang, served as a distinguished Navy pilot during World War II and later as an instructor at the U.S. Navy War College, and her mother enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.

Catherine's parents instilled in her a value she has instilled in her three sons: the importance of a college education as a door to opportunity. Because of this, the Lang family established a scholarship for students at the UNO College of Business for the purpose of cultivating opportunity and character.

Currently, Catherine holds the position of State director of the Nebraska Business Development Center and assistant dean at the UNO College of Business. She leads statewide outreach for NBDC and builds collaborative efforts in the Nebraska University system to support the institution's mission of economic development.

Thank you, Catherine, for dedicating your life to serving and inspiring others, and we thank you for strengthening relationships within our community. Honoring Timothy Kenny on his Retirement

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Timothy Kenny and his exceptional service as the executive director of the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, or NIFA. Timothy has been serving Nebraskans in this role since 1994. Before he joined NIFA, he served as director of programs for the Utah Housing Finance Agency and as executive director of the Texas Housing Finance Agency.

NIFA administers programs to help Nebraskans finance affordable housing, medical facilities, community infrastructure, and industrial development projects. They also serve first-time farmers and ranchers by providing affordable financing strategies across the Great Plains.

In the 36 years of its existence, NIFA has worked diligently to finance over 91,000 mortgages for affordable single-family homes. Additionally, over 23,600 affordable rental housing units for Nebraskans living on a budget have been created. Under Tim's leadership, NIFA has taken care of our Armed Forces by providing over $96.1 million in home buyer's assistance.

Previously, Timothy served as a certified public accountant for a private tax and audit practice in Dallas, Texas, and then worked his way up to chief financial officer for homebuilding and real estate firms in Texas and Colorado.

He now resides in Cass County, Nebraska, with his wife, Sara, three children, and numerous grandchildren. On top of his commendable public service, Timothy has supported his children and country through more than 20 deployments in the United States Armed Forces.

Timothy continues to be active in Nebraska by serving on the National Council of State Housing Agencies, the National Association of Home Builders, the Nebraska Subprime Advisory Task Force, and the Governor's Disaster Recovery Task Force. He exemplifies what it means to be a Nebraskan through his hard work, service to others, and compassion for those in need.

I congratulate Timothy on a notable career of public service and a retirement that is well deserved.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source