[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 13 (Monday, February 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S854]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE LIFE OF STANLEY O. McNAUGHTON

  Mr. GORTON. ``People need a vision greater than themselves. 
Without a vision, there is no goal. This vision has to be larger than 
yourself. It has to dignify you. Then, goals become the navigational 
stars to guide you in the vision.''--Stanley O. McNaughton.
  These are the words Stanley O. McNaughton lived by until his sudden 
death on January 19th.
  Stan McNaughton was a man who rose from modest beginnings in a small 
British Columbia town, who would later become the CEO of PEMCO 
Financial Services and who would leave behind one of the greatest 
legacies of goodwill Washington state will ever see.
  I could spend an evening recounting Stan's business successes. I 
could spend even greater time speaking of Stan's dedication to 
community service, his exceptional character, integrity and the 
countless personal accolades. Yet the two worlds are intertwined. The 
man who was once named Seattle-King County First Citizen and Seattle 
University alumnus of the year relied on the same values to achieve 
personal and professional success and improve the lives of others.
  As Stan used to say, ``Our security lies in our values. And from 
values flow principles.''
  Stan placed profound importance on family, philanthropy, and 
leadership.
  Stan donated money to causes involving children and education, and 
often said: ``A corporation is the greatest vehicle ever created to do 
good. Corporations have a responsibility to raise the quality of life 
in the communities where they do business.''
  I know I can speak for all of us by saying: Stan McNaughton succeeded 
in leaving his community a better place.
  Tomorrow in Olympia, the extraordinary life of Stan McNaughton will 
be honored with a Medal of Merit, one of the highest awards that the 
State of Washington can bestow upon a citizen. to quote from the 
resolution: ``Stanley O. McNaughton exemplified the best 
characteristics of an employer and community leader by his constant 
concern and activities for those employed by him and others in the 
community.''
  Stan had the amazing ability to see the potential in everyone, 
inspiring his employees, friends and family to be the best they could 
possibly be. There are countless ``Stan stories'': the woman who 
remembered the time Stan sent her child a birthday card; the man who 
lost his wallet and Stan offered to reimburse the money; the donations 
to charities, particularly those that benefitted people disadvantaged 
through no fault of their own; and his special efforts to know every 
name of the more than 1,000 PEMCO employees.
  Of course, there is the definitive ``Stan story'' of the great 
lengths he went to for one of his employees, Mark Roberts who had 
broken his neck and become paralyzed from the neck down. Stan could 
have sent a card or even a bouquet of flowers, but in true Stan 
McNaughton fashion, Stan went the extra mile. He assured Mark he would 
still have a career at PEMCO and went about changing the dynamics of 
Mark's job. By computerizing much of the workload, Stan made it 
possible for Mark to succeed and recover from what would have 
ordinarily been a career ending accident. Stan even went so far as to 
buy Mark a specialized van, for his professional and personal use.
  Stan McNaughton touched the lives of so many different people. His 
personal philosophy of seeing life as a batting average: ``You must 
give people enough chances at bat'' represents the spirit of this great 
leader and sets an example for all of us to follow.
  My heart goes out to his wife Clare of 55 years, his six children, 
and 10 grandchildren.
  Stnaley O. McNaughton will be very much missed.

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