[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 27 (Friday, February 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S2441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO BEN R. RICH

  Mr. NUNN. Mr. President, I would like for my colleagues in the Senate 
and my fellow citizens throughout the country to note the passing of 
Ben R. Rich. Ben was a long-time employee at the famed Lockheed ``Skunk 
Works'' in California.
  Ben had just recently published a book, ``Skunk Works: A Personal 
Memoir of My Years at Lockheed,'' with Leo Janos. This book provided us 
an insight into what was an outstanding career of service and 
dedication to having our country maintain its technological edge over 
any potential adversary. During his tenure at the Skunk Works from the 
mid-1950's until his retirement in 1991, Ben worked on a number of very 
important aircraft programs, such as the SR-71, the U-2, and the F-104. 
Perhaps his greatest contribution was to the so-called Stealth fighter 
program, the F-117. Ben headed the Skunk Works during the development 
and production of the F-117. We saw the fruits of his leadership on F-
117 in the Persian Gulf war, where, more than any other system, the F-
117 and its stealth gave our forces the capability to attack any of the 
Iraqi's highest value targets with impunity. This system is 
revolutionary, and Ben Rich's leadership was critical to making it a 
success.
  Mr. President, this country will be a poorer place with his loss. We 
will all sorely miss Ben and his dedication to excellence. Ben Rich 
made a difference.


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