Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-01-20

CONGRATULATING ABIGAIL ROSS HOPPER

EnvironmentTrade

Context

On 2026-01-20, Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY-20) delivered a floor speech titled "CONGRATULATING ABIGAIL ROSS HOPPER" in the House. The speech addressed the environment and also covered trade policy.

Full Text

CONGRATULATING ABIGAIL ROSS HOPPER

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 13 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)] [House] [Page H942] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONGRATULATING ABIGAIL ROSS HOPPER (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Abigail Ross Hopper, who is retiring from her role as president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. For nearly a decade, Abby has led efforts to develop, to enact, and defend policies to support solar energy and energy storage. During this time, the solar industry has been massively successful. Costs have come down dramatically. Some 250 gigawatts of installed solar capacity nationwide now exist. That is enough to power 45 million homes, making solar an important and rapidly growing part of our electricity mix. As of 2024, the industry employed 280,000 Americans across thousands of companies including a recent boom in domestic manufacturing jobs. One of the greatest developments over the past few years has been the huge growth in American-made solar panels and components. Thanks to policies championed by Abby and SEIA, the United States has become the third largest solar module manufacturer in the world. While I am saddened by Abby's departure, I am confident that because of her leadership, the solar industry is well-positioned to continue playing a leading role in delivering the affordable, reliable, and pollution-free electricity that Americans are indeed counting on. ____________________

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CONGRATULATING ABIGAIL ROSS HOPPER Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 13 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)] [House] [Page H942] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONGRATULATING ABIGAIL ROSS HOPPER (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Abigail Ross Hopper, who is retiring from her role as president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. For nearly a decade, Abby has led efforts to develop, to enact, and defend policies to support solar energy and energy storage. During this time, the solar industry has been massively successful. Costs have come down dramatically. Some 250 gigawatts of installed solar capacity nationwide now exist. That is enough to power 45 million homes, making solar an important and rapidly growing part of our electricity mix. As of 2024, the industry employed 280,000 Americans across thousands of companies including a recent boom in domestic manufacturing jobs. One of the greatest developments over the past few years has been the huge growth in American-made solar panels and components. Thanks to policies championed by Abby and SEIA, the United States has become the third largest solar module manufacturer in the world. While I am saddened by Abby's departure, I am confident that because of her leadership, the solar industry is well-positioned to continue playing a leading role in delivering the affordable, reliable, and pollution-free electricity that Americans are indeed counting on. ____________________