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[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 122 (Wednesday, September 12, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                    TRIBUTE TO JENNIFER JOY PINNIGER

 Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to congratulate Jennifer Joy Pinniger upon her retirement 
as president and CEO of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, 
NSSGA. Joy joined the National Stone Association in December 1996, and 
she has been ``Romancing the Stone'' ever since. To her that means 
helping decisionmakers, the aggregates workforce, and the public 
understand the purpose and value of the aggregates, or the stone, sand 
and gravel industry. She has focused NSSGA's advocacy on those issues 
with the most potential impact on the industry, always aware that the 
most effective advocates are those members of NSSGA who work every day 
to produce the construction materials essential to the built 
environment.
  Joy has reminded me on several occasions that her father's roots are 
in Oklahoma, although as a Navy officer he moved his family around the 
world. Prior to joining NSSGA, Joy served very ably as chief of staff 
to former Senator John Warner and as an aide to Virginia Governor John 
Dalton before that.
  Joy has championed the industry in meetings with administration 
regulatory agencies, always intent on finding solutions that will not 
only be positive for the aggregates industry but that are right for 
America. The Rocks Gallery in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History 
is an example of an NSSGA-member endowed opportunity for the aggregates 
story to be told from the vantage point of a world-renowned educational 
institution--an example of teamwork between innovative members and the 
NSSGA team quarterbacked by Joy Pinniger.
  I have had the pleasure of working with Joy as she led the NSSGA's 
advocacy for passage of the last two surface transportation 
authorization bills. Joy realized early on that involvement of the 
public--those affected by the need to get to and from jobs on a daily 
basis, to take parents to the doctor, to attend children's soccer 
games; in reality all of us--was critical to success in moving surface 
transportation legislation forward. She worked tirelessly facilitating 
NSSGA member contacts with community leaders and lawmakers to build 
momentum for this often overlooked national priority. Success came in 
the form of passage of SAFETEA-LU in 2005 and MAP-21 in 2012.
  Joy's advocacy leadership extended well beyond transportation to 
those regulatory issues affecting the aggregates industry. She 
continually emphasized the industry's ethics and credibility through 
NSSGA member company commitments to safety and health resulting in 11 
years of record-breaking achievements.
  With diplomatic leadership, Joy's policy, management, and 
motivational strength has helped NSSGA members reinforce message and 
guide relation bridges to fend off unjustified regulations like 
tightened standards for ``farm dust,'' and legislation that does not 
accurately distinguish aggregates operations from others.
  Joy Pinniger has led the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association 
with distinction and integrity. I will miss her steadfast leadership, 
but congratulate her on her retirement and extend best wishes for 
whatever she chooses to do next.

                          ____________________
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