[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 146 (Monday, October 25, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13105-S13106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   TRIBUTE TO THOMAS BUREAU McDONALD

 Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the life of Thomas Bureau McDonald who died as a result of a tragic car 
accident on October 9, 1999 in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the age of 
35. His parents, family, and friends have lost a very special person. 
New Mexico has lost a young and dedicated public servant whose passion 
was working with college students, strengthening and expanding higher 
education, and stressing the importance of attending college.
  Tom was a rising star among those interested in public service in New 
Mexico. He will be missed for his cheerful personality, his keen sense 
of humor, his political savvy, and his devotion to empowering students 
at the university and state level when it came to their education. Tom 
was never concerned with how much he could accomplish or who he could 
influence but, rather how he could live his life so when he was no 
longer serving in his appointed or elected capacities his ideas, 
dreams, and goals would be a reality. That reality was for children and 
their families living throughout New Mexico to have the opportunities 
in place to attend college to better themselves and to better their 
community. In life there are individuals who are concerned about being 
remembered for what they have done or still can do; Tom's only concern 
was being remembered for who he was--an outspoken leader on higher 
education and its students, a good son to his parents, a loving 
grandson to his grandmothers, and a trustworthy and loyal individual to 
his friends.
  Tom attended the University of New Mexico and graduated from Western 
New Mexico University in Silver City, New Mexico where I grew up as a 
child. During his years at Western, Tom was elected by his peers not 
just once but twice to serve as their student body president (1990-
1992). It was during this time that he eloquently presented a plan to 
the Board of Regents to build a new $3.5 million Student Union Building 
utilizing only student fees. Tom was fortunate to go back a few years 
ago to the dedication of this new building. While at the dedication 
ceremony he realized that what started as a vision, a risk, a 
challenge, turned into structure of unity where students, 
administrators, and community members could learn, work and just be 
together.
  Mr. President, from 1990 to 1992 Tom was appointed to two one year 
terms as the student member on the Governor's Commission on Higher 
Education by former Governor Bruce King. During his tenure, Tom 
transformed the way members of the Commission viewed student 
participation and input on higher education. Through his optimism, 
determination, and presence he created an identity for students around 
the state who were concerned about the quality of their education. That 
identity which Tom helped form not only exists before the Commission 
today, but before the State Legislature and Office of the Governor.
  From 1992 to 1993 Tom was elected by student representatives from New

[[Page S13106]]

Mexico's two-year and four-year institutions as executive director of 
the Associated Students of New Mexico (ASNM). ASNM is a non-profit 
student organization that represents the interests of 100,000 students 
members enrolled in two-year and four-year institutions of higher 
learning before the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education, State 
Legislature and Office of the Governor. This organization has brought 
forth some of New Mexico's current and former state legislators, county 
commissioners, and public servants. Two of my current Washington DC 
staffers and one of my state staffers are former executive directors of 
this association. While serving as executive director, Tom always 
encouraged those he met to reach for their goals, pursue their dreams, 
and turn any rejection into motivation. He believed that what one does 
now to enhance their life will impact others in the future. He lived 
what he preached and what he did to enhance his life has left a lasting 
impact for students and their education throughout New Mexico.
  Tom received his Masters of Criminal Justice from New Mexico State 
University in 1996. He was also appointed by Governor Gary Johnson to 
serve a two-year term from 1994-1996 as the first voting student regent 
in the history of New Mexico State University. One year later in 1997, 
he was appointed by Governor Johnson to serve a full six-year term on 
the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education where he served until the 
time of his death.
  Mr. President, I would like to extend my condolences to his parents 
Clyde and Eileen and the entire McDonald family. I ask that my 
colleagues in the Senate join me in honoring the achievements and 
contributions in the life of this young and outstanding New 
Mexican.

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