Recognizing Tanja Fransen of Glasgow for Spirit Of Montana

The following is a transcript of the Congressional Record during Congressman Greg Gianforte’s weekly recognition of Montanans in the U.S. House of Representatives. On May 17, he recognized Tanja Fransen with the Spirit of Montana Commendation for her 18 years of service to Montana. The corresponding article can be found on the front of this edition of The Glasgow Courier.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Tanja Fransen of Glasgow, an award-winning meteorologist who is recognized nationally for her innovation and leadership.

Tanja is the Meteorologist in Charge at the Glasgow Weather Forecast Office in Montana. Starting as a meteorologist in Glasgow in 2001, she has been a supervisor since 2015. In fact, Tanja is one of only 8 percent of female supervisors for National Weather Service (NWS) field offices.

Tanja’s research benefits Montana’s ag producers. Tanja and colleague Bill Martin helped develop an innovative cold weather advisory tool that helps livestock producers take precautions during calving season, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Their work earned them the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Administrator’s Award in 2011.

In 2014, the American Meteorological Society (AMS) presented Tanja with the Kenneth C. Spengler Award for her collaborative approach to ensure weather forecasts result in timely and appropriate public responses. The NWS recognized her with the Isaac Cline Award for Outreach in 2011 and the Isaac Cline Award for Leadership in 2002.

Throughout her 25-year career, Tanja has served in many public and professional advisory positions, and she has a passion for mentoring others. She mentors junior colleagues through the AMS and the NWS. She often encourages young people to embrace STEM courses and enhance their education with communication, business, and leadership training.

Madam Speaker, for her accomplishments in the sciences, dedication to the public, and 18 years of service to Montanans, I recognize Tanja Fransen for her spirit of Montana.