[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 91 (Thursday, July 14, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 14, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, INC.

 Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, for many years, Thomson Consumer 
Electronics, Inc., and its predecessor company, RCA Consumer 
Electronics, has been a major corporate citizen of Indiana, employing 
thousands of men and women at its facilities in Indianapolis, 
Bloomington and Marion. Thomson Electronics is perhaps best known as 
the company that makes and markets the RCA, GE, and ProScan brands of 
color TV and other video products.
  I rise today to recognize and salute a Thomson executive who has 
contributed so much to his company, industry and Nation. D. Joseph 
Donahue, Thomson's Senior Vice President for Technology and Business 
Development, is retiring this month following a distinguished 43-year 
career in the U.S. electronics industry. During these four decades, Joe 
Donahue has held a variety of senior management posts in engineering, 
manufacturing and marketing, including CEO positions in both 
semiconductors and consumer electronics.
  After joining Gen. David Sarnoff's team at RCA in 1951, Joe Donahue 
helped pioneer the development of the first color picture tube, holding 
a number of key patents still in use today by the picture tube 
industry. Later in his career, he returned to this field as vice 
president of engineering at RCA Picture Tubes.
  Joe Donahue's vast experience also includes 17 years with RCA 
Semiconductors, where he held a number of key posts including CEO of 
RCA Solid State. He joined RCA Consumer Electronics in 1977 as vice 
president, operations, with overall responsibility for engineering, 
purchasing, manufacturing, and product assistance.
  Under his direction, the company's flagship plant in Bloomington, IN, 
was automated and became the world's largest color TV receiver 
manufacturing facility, a distinction it enjoys to this day. In 1982, 
Joe was named CEO of RCA Consumer Electronics, where he further 
strengthened RCA's market leadership in color television, VCRs and 
camcorders.
  Five years ago, Joe Donahue arrived in Washington as senior vice 
president for technology and business development, with special 
responsibility for advanced television systems. Through his work, he 
brought to the high-definition television [HDTV] policy debate the 
perspective of someone intimately familiar with digital video research 
and development. He immersed himself in industry and government 
activities continuing his positive work with the electronics industry.
  Joe Donahue was a founding member and principal in the advanced 
television research consortium [ATRC] which developed the ``Advanced 
Digital HDTV'' system, one of the leading contenders in the FCC's HDTV 
selection process. When an FCC advisory committee recommended that the 
major proponents join forces in a so-called ``Grand Alliance,'' Joe 
Donahue played an active role in identifying and integrating the 
attributes of the competing technologies into a ``best of the best'' 
HDTV system for the United States. He also serves as chairman of a 
worldwide industry effort aimed at developing a digital HDTV recording 
[VCR] standard.
  Mr. President, I know that my colleagues will join me in recognizing 
Joe Donahue's long and distinguished career with Thomson Consumer 
Electronics. I join his family and many friends in wishing him well in 
what I know will be an active and productive retirement.

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