TRIBUTE TO SARA PETERS

On 2024-12-10, Representative Tom Cole (R-OK-4) delivered a floor speech titled "TRIBUTE TO SARA PETERS" in the House. The speech addressed the economy and also covered taxes, the environment.

TRIBUTE TO SARA PETERS

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1246-E1247] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRIBUTE TO SARA PETERS ______ HON. TOM COLE of oklahoma in the house of representatives Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sara Peters, an exceptional staff member of the House Committee on Appropriations, whose decade-long service in the federal government exemplifies the hard work and dedication of an esteemed public servant. Sara's career in government began in 2010 as Legislative Counsel to Senator Thad Cochran. In that role, she advised the Senator on budget, banking, finance, trade, justice, and ethics issues. Her contributions were particularly significant in the vetting of judicial nominees and the development of landmark legislation such as the Dodd-Frank Act and the Budget Control Act of 2011. Additionally, Sara managed all justice- related appropriations issues for the influential Senator. In 2011, Sara brought her talents to the House Committee on Appropriations as a Professional Staff Member for the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. Her portfolio included the Federal Highway Administration and transportation safety agencies, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the United States Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. She also managed vital programs supporting Native American housing, homeless assistance, and community development. Following her initial tenure with the House Committee on Appropriations, Sara expanded her expertise in the private sector as a Senior Associate at the King & Spalding law firm. Sara specialized in environmental, energy, transportation, and consumer product safety law. She then served as Assistant General Counsel at the Volkswagen Group of America, with a specific focus on emissions, regulatory, and settlement oversight. After five years in the private sector, Sara's commitment to public service led her back to government as the Deputy Director of Government Affairs, Policy, and Strategic Planning for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Focusing on transportation safety initiatives and technologies, Sara bridged the gap between the agency and Congress, managing key policy initiatives and preparing agency leadership for congressional hearings, budget rollouts, and briefings. In November 2020, Sara returned to Congress where her extensive expertise and knowledge earned her the position of Counsel and Senior Advisor on the House Committee on Appropriations under then Ranking Member Kay Granger. It was in this role that Sara successfully advanced House Republican funding priorities in the Minority. When Republicans took control of the House in 2023, she was rightly promoted to Deputy Staff Director of the full committee. Her understanding of the complexities of the federal budget has fostered crucially important reforms in the appropriations process. She has demonstrated remarkable skill in managing complex budget data, coordinating between the twelve Appropriations subcommittees, and facilitating communication with leadership offices, authorizing committees, external stakeholders, and support agencies such as the Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office. Sara played an invaluable role in crafting and negotiating full-year, supplemental, and continuing appropriations legislation. Throughout her career, Sara has consistently demonstrated an extraordinary ability to navigate complex political landscapes and achieve meaningful results on challenging policy issues. Her deep understanding of government processes and her strategic approach have been instrumental in securing important policy victories, even in times of a divided government. After countless early mornings and late nights of devoted work to our country, I know Sara is looking forward to a change of pace that allows her to spend more time with her family. Sara will be greatly missed, and I extend my deepest gratitude for her exemplary service to the United States of America. [[Page E1247]] ____________________