[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 78 (Thursday, May 11, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S6554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                          TRIBUTE TO LEE TODD

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
career of Mr. Lee Todd, who is working hard to make Lexington, KY, a 
major stop on the information highway. Lee is president and CEO of 
DataBeam, one of the State's few high-technology companies.
  Lee grew up in Earlington, KY, where at age 14 he became the best 
pool shooter in town. Lee credits his early years in the western 
Kentucky town with helping make him who he is today. In a recent 
article in Blugrass magazine, Lee says ``I think every kid needs 
something to feel good about, to develop self esteem. For some kids it 
was athletics. For me, it was pool.''
  After graduating from high school, Lee attended Murray State 
University, but after 2 years he transferred to the University of 
Kentucky. After receiving his diploma, Lee moved to Boston and attended 
M.I.T., where he earned his M.S. and Ph.D in electrical engineering. It 
was also in Boston that he met his wife, Patsy.
  The Todds returned home to the Bluegrass State after graduation. They 
settled in Lexington, and Lee got a job in the Electrical Engineering 
Department at the University of Kentucky. He taught at U.K. for 9 
years, and during that time he was honored with several teaching 
awards, including the coveted U.K. Alumni Association Great Teacher 
Award.
  Lee caught ``entrepreneur fever'' at M.I.T, where he was awarded with 
six patents for advancements in picture tube technology. These patents 
helped lead to the development of DataBeam. In 1993, DataBeam 
introduced FarSite, the first software-driven computer conference room 
system. This high-technology allows a document to be viewed at the same 
time on different computer screens at different locations throughout 
the country.
  DataBeam, which was given the Outstanding Small Business Award in 
1988, is currently focusing on partnerships. The company recently added 
software giant Microsoft to its list of partners, which already 
includes AT&T, MCI, and Motorola.
  Lee believes that by improving education and by helping to create a 
high-technology industry, Kentucky will have a brighter future. He 
founded and chairs the Kentucky Science, and Technology Counsel, which 
developed a hands-on learning package for elementary schoolchildren. 
This program is now used in about 60 percent of the elementary schools 
across the State.
  Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this 
outstanding Kentuckian for his many accomplishments. I am confident 
that Mr. Todd will continue to invest in the future of Kentucky, as he 
has done so graciously in the past.


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