[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 27, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H2931-H2932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DAVID PACKARD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Collins of Georgia). Under a previous

[[Page H2932]]

order of the House, the gentleman from California [Mr. Farr] is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sorrow that I 
rise today to salute a man who, without question, represented the very 
best of California creativity and American ingenuity. David Packard, 
who revolutionized both the computer industry and modern-management 
practices died Tuesday in Palo Alto, CA. He was 83.
  For anyone familiar with computers in the 20th century, the name 
Hewlett-Packard is synonymous with innovation, and with excellence. 
Founded in 1939 in a Palo Alto garage by Mr. Packard and his good 
friend William Hewlett, the company is now a recognized leader in its 
field, employing more than 100,000 workers. The ``HP Way,'' Mr. 
Packard's standard for corporate practices and employee relations, is 
commonly cited as one of the best by business experts.
  In creating his company, Mr. Packard said, ``Get the best employees, 
stress the importance of teamwork, and fire them up with the will to 
win.'' Though many in business may take such words lightly, for Mr. 
Packard, they represented the only way to succeed.
  There were no conventional offices at Hewlett-Packard, not even for 
the most senior engineers. To stress collaboration and creativity, 
employees were grouped together in close proximity where they could 
freely exchange ideas. This respect for the H-P employee also applied 
in a number of other ways. Hewlett-Packard was among the first in the 
business world to provide catastrophic medical coverage, flexible work 
hours and decentralized decision-making.
  David Packard also took a keen interest in his global community and 
was a generous philanthropist. He established the Packard Foundation in 
1964 to support community organizations, education, health care, 
conservation, population projects, the arts, and scientific research.
  But while the Nation and the world are remembering David Packard for 
his business and industrial achievements, the people of the Monterey 
Bay are remembering David Packard as an ocean pioneer--our nation's 
Jacques Cousteau. He recently said that ``I spent my entire business 
life in the technology field, and in my industrial career I have seen 
my share of revolutions in human understanding. I now realize that the 
ocean is the most important frontier we have.''
  David Packard used this scientific vision and $55 million to help his 
daughter Julie develop and open the Montery Bay Aquarium--the world's 
best example of top science education as good business. David took his 
vision a step further and built a state of-the-art marine lab at Moss 
Landing to pioneer new deep ocean exploration technologies. All told, 
David and his late wife Lucile donated over $450 million to scientific 
research, education, health care, conservation and the arts.
  On a personal note, let me just say that I will sorely miss the many 
contributions of David Packard. A good family friend, he was one of 
those few people you cross in life who not only touches our hearts, but 
also inspires our minds. David was one of a kind. My thoughts and 
prayers go out to his four children, David, Nancy, Susan and Julie, his 
colleagues and his many, many friends.

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