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[Pages H1592-H1593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING CATHERINE LANG
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for 5 minutes.
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
[[Page H1593]]
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.
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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
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.
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