Recognizing Mr. Norm Peterson Upon His Retirement

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the illustrious career of Mr. Norman ``Norm'' D. Peterson upon his retirement from Argonne National Laboratory. Norm has been a leader in the science, technology, and innovation realm for over 35 years, and it has been an honor to learn from and, at times, work alongside his expertise. Norm's commitment to the scientific enterprise of this nation and the policymakers who shape its work will have a lasting impact into the future. Please help me celebrate this remarkable servant of the public interest and wish him well as he embarks upon this next chapter.

Early in his career, Norm Peterson was identified as a skilled leader in the science, technology, and economic development issues. Upon the creation of the Illinois Governor's Commission on Science and Technology, Norm was selected to become its first Executive Director. In this role, he oversaw the commission's creation and administration of a technology-oriented economic development program. This comprehensive plan incorporated technology transfer projects at universities and national laboratories and investment fund allocations to support the development of start-up, technology-driven businesses, showcasing Norm's extensive knowledge of science, technology, and economic development.

Norm's career at Argonne National Laboratory began in 1987. Though the laboratory had been operational for many years prior, its scope vastly expanded over the past 35 years, with Norm playing a crucial role in cultivating Argonne's reputation of excellence during this time. Argonne National Laboratory is now one of the U.S. Department of Energy's largest national laboratories for science and engineering research, housing over 1,250 scientists and engineers working to solve our nation's most pressing challenges in energy, the environment, and national security.

The expertise that Norm brought to his work led him to become the Director of Government Affairs for Argonne, a role that he crafted himself to maximize the efforts of the lab moving into the 21st century. His skill was heavily leaned upon as Argonne directed the construction of 3 major national user facilities--the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, and Center for Nanoscale Materials. In addition, he was instrumental in launching the Guest House as the first state-funded building in the national lab complex and in his work helping plan the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research and the Q-NEXT quantum center.

Stakeholders from across the country recognize Norm as a valuable resource to science and technology research efforts, earning him membership on several boards and advisory groups. He earned a place on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Urban Technology, the University of Puerto Rico Center for Advanced Nanoscale Materials External Advisory Board, and the Northern Illinois University Research Foundation Board, among others. In addition to his professional contributions, he is also a dedicated servant to youth in his community, by previously serving on the Board of Directors for the Youth Campus, providing residential and community based social services to abused and neglected children.

In his retirement, Norm and his beloved partner, Lori Clark, are eager to enjoy international travel and spend more time with his daughter, Erika Peterson, and granddaughter, Emma. The couple intends on remaining in the Chicago area as they enter the next chapter of Norm's prolific life, and despite his retirement, I am certain that we will hear more from him in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to celebrate my friend and mentor, Mr. Norman D. Peterson, for his incredible contributions toward scientific and technological advancement in our nation. Colleagues, please join me in celebrating Norm Peterson and wishing him well as he transitions into his well-earned retirement.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source