Bob Ferguson

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a Washington State giant and true champion for Tri-Cities, Bob Ferguson, who peacefully passed away in August.

The first chairman of the Tri-City Development Council, or TRIDEC, Bob played a critical role at the Hanford Site and in the economic development for our region. His resume is nothing short of inspiring-- he was one of the youngest reactor operators at Hanford's B Reactor; Project Manager at the Fast Flux Test Facility, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Department of Energy in President Carter's Administration, Managing Director of the Washington Public Power Supply System, President of R.L. Ferguson & Associates, and much more.

He worked tirelessly to advance energy and education causes and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local colleges, culminating in the creation of the Institute for Northwest Energy Futures at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

Bob was riot only a pivotal leader and pioneer for Central Washington and the nuclear energy industry, but he was also a good friend. Bob was a visionary--he was determined, generous, and kind.

Bob's death is truly a loss for our community, but his leadership and contributions to Central Washington and the country will never be forgotten.

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