[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S3240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO THE EMPLOYEES OF RAYTHEON ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS DIVISION, 
                              ANDOVER, MA

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to some 
unsung heroes of the United States: the employees of Raytheon 
Electronic Systems Division in Andover, MA.
  Each year, the Congress evaluates the military requirements of our 
Nation and the pros and cons of various weapons systems. We routinely 
make decisions that affect the livelihoods of literally thousands of 
American workers. While we strive to be objective and to make sound 
judgments, this human component does not always get the attention it 
deserves.
  Today I want to take this opportunity to honor the men and women of 
Raytheon who devote their lives to the defense of this Nation. They do 
not often get a lot of publicity or see their names in the paper, but 
they are a collection of true American heroes. They deserve our respect 
and admiration.
  As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I have the unique 
responsibility of overseeing the development and acquisition of the 
systems needed to defend our Nation. I see first hand the contribution 
these employees make to our national security. It is enormous.
  Whether building key components for the Patriot missile system, or 
the AMRAAM, or the ground based radar, these workers are constantly 
striving to expand the state-of-the-art, and to deliver the best 
possible product at the most efficient cost. They are a family, these 
workers from New Hampshire and Massachusetts, committed to a noble 
calling. And the fruits of their labors are the freedoms and security 
that we hold so dear.
  As we prepare for the upcoming authorization and appropriations 
processes, I ask my colleagues to reflect for a moment upon these great 
patriots. They were the backbone of our military in the cold war and 
Desert Storm. They are the ones whose innovations and dedication are 
helping to preserve our prosperity in the future. Their service is an 
inspiration for those of us who are privileged to represent them here 
in Washington.
  In an uncertain and dangerous world, we can take much comfort in the 
knowledge that the men and women of Raytheon Electronic Systems 
Division are on the job, each and every day, tirelessly striving to 
produce the technologies and systems to defend this great 
Nation.

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