[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOHN CAPELLUPO

                                 ______


                        HON. RICHARD A. GEPHARDT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 1996

  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my friend and fellow St. 
Louisan John Capellupo, who is retiring as president of McDonnell 
Douglas Aerospace after a career that has spanned much of the last half 
of this century. It is fitting to recognize Cap for his work on behalf 
of his country, his company, and his community.
  During his many years in the aerospace industry, Cap has built an 
impressive record of substantial and long-lasting contributions to our 
Nation through the technical development and management of some of our 
most important defense programs. He has shaped aircraft, missile, 
space, and technology programs that will provide for our national 
defense for decades to come.
  Born in Minnesota and raised in Illinois, John began his aerospace 
career with McDonnell Aircraft Co. in 1957. He cut his teeth on 
programs like the F-101B fighter, the Super Talos missile, and other 
programs we now read about in aviation or military history books. 
Several years later, in the mid-1970's, a well-seasoned and experienced 
John Capellupo began working on a revolutionary new aircraft program, 
one that would eventually give birth to the F/A-18 Hornet, the world's 
first fighter designed to master both aerial dogfights and ground 
attack missions. Ultimately, he would lead the Hornet program into 
maturity and, to this day, throughout industry, Government, and the 
military, he is known as the father of the F/A-18.
  In February 1989, John left the F/A-18 program to become president of 
McDonnell Douglas Missile Systems Co. In early 1990, he became deputy 
president of the company's commercial airliner operation, Douglas 
Aircraft Co., in Long Beach, CA. In May 1991, he returned to St. Louis 
to assume his current position as president of what is now McDonnell 
Douglas Aerospace.
  Thousands of the hard-working people from my district are employed by 
McDonnell Douglas and work for John. These are the men and women who 
design, test, and build F-15s for the Air Force; AV-8Bs, F/A-18s, and 
T-45s for the Navy and Marines Corps; and Harpoon, SLAM, and JDAM 
munitions. They respect and admire the man they know simply as Cap, who 
has led them successfully through both the good times and the bad times 
over the years.
  Personally, I have known Cap for almost 20 years. He and I have 
worked together on a broad range of issues, from those directly 
affecting our national security to ones that are vitally important to 
local St. Louis workers. Throughout this lengthy and productive 
association, I have developed the utmost respect for him as an 
individual and complete admiration for his professional achievements. I 
am honored to recognize him here today, and wish him a very happy 
retirement.

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