[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 89 (Friday, June 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               COMMEMORATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF EDS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARTIN FROST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2002

  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, 40 years ago, June 27, 1962, an industry was 
born with the investment of just $1,000. That industry today is nearly 
half a trillion dollar market and provides jobs to more than 20 million 
people around the world.
  With the founding of EDS, Electronic Data Systems, that day, the 
world started doing business in a different way as information 
technology services became part of the global economy. Today, 
information technology is pervasive. Whether we're using an ATM, making 
airline reservations, or renewing a driver's license, we are all 
surrounded by computing power that fundamentally affects how we live.
  Plano, Texas-based EDS started small with just a few employees using 
the excess capacity of other company's computers. Today, EDS has 
140,000 employees serving government and business in 60 countries with 
revenue of $21.5 billion.
  There have been many milestones along EDS's journey.
  In the 1960s, EDS developed the first comprehensive system for 
managing public health care programs. Today, EDS processes 2.4 billion 
medical claims transactions a year.
  In 1976, EDS started processing airline tickets sold by travel 
agents. EDS is now the largest provider of IT services to the airline 
industry.
  EDS launched the systems-integration market in 1982 with the U.S. 
Army's Project VIABLE, a vast and complex human-resources system. At 
that time, it was the largest IT-services contract ever let by the U.S. 
Army.
  In the 1990s, the United Kingdom's Inland Revenue Service selected 
EDS to become its IT services provider.
  Today, EDS is building a vast intranet for the U.S. Navy and Marine 
Corps under the largest IT contract ever awarded by the U.S. 
government. The value is $6.9 billion.
  EDS has long made significant contributions to its communities. Its 
award-winning JASON Project brings the thrill of discovery to hundreds 
of thousands of school children each year. The company also provides 
grants to elementary school teachers so they can bring the latest 
technology to the classroom. And each fall thousands of EDS employees 
go out into the community to lend a helping hand as part of Global 
Volunteer Day.
  EDS is entering its fifth decade doing what it does best--managing 
and integrating information technology services. It is committed to 
building trust with each client and to making available to all clients 
sophisticated information security and business-continuity services.
  Well-deployed information technology has fueled significant 
productivity gains in the last 40 years--particularly in the last 
decade. These gains are especially valuable today in an interconnected, 
global, digital economy. EDS is a big part of those gains.
  The information-technology industry holds unprecedented opportunity. 
Everyone wants to be part of it. Many companies are realizing what EDS 
understood 40 years ago--that even the most groundbreaking technologies 
quickly lose their edge unless they are creatively and innovatively 
applied.
  Some may think the forty-year milestone may mean middle age is 
approaching. Not in EDS's case. It is a company as focused on 
delivering value to its clients today as it was in 1962. It stays young 
by reinventing itself and listening to its clients.
  Mr. President, please join me in saluting EDS for its many 
contributions to the information technology services industry and in 
wishing the company well for another 40 years.

                          ____________________