[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 53 (Friday, May 5, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E744-E745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING JOHN KENNETH GALBRAITH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2006

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, America lost one of its best and 
brightest intellects and public servants in recent days with the death 
of John Kenneth Galbraith.
  To say that Professor Galbraith understood economics is like saying 
Albert Einstein was good at arithmetic.
  Ken Galbraith pioneered economic theories that transcended numbers, 
products, and nations, because he added people into the equation.
  He recognized and helped the whole world understand that market 
forces alone could not be anonymous engines of economic activity. There 
was more at stake--people, and more to consider--policy, in a nation's 
economic growth and development.
  If you stop and think about it, every parent has told a child at one 
time or another that there are consequences to their actions; John 
Kenneth Galbraith helped nations understand that there are consequences 
to economic actions.
  Mr. Galbraith's impact on modern economic theory can be seen in the 
books he authored including The Affluent Society and New Industrial 
State. In all, his astonishing contributions as a world-renowned 
economist and professor span more than five decades.
  But, there is so much more to his life and contributions to the 
American people.
  John Kenneth Galbraith served his country as a Presidential advisor 
and ambassador to India.
  He helped FDR implement the New Deal, serving in his administration. 
He also served President John F. Kennedy, among others.
  Mr. Galbraith walked among giants, because he too was a giant--in 
intellect, heart, and commitment to his country.
  If ever there was a single individual who embodied the positive 
change he wanted to see, it was John Kenneth Galbraith.
  I was privileged to know him in my role as President of ADA, 
Americans for Democratic Action.
  When liberal activists gathered in January 1947 at the Willard Hotel 
to form Americans for Democratic Action, Ken was there to inspire and 
to lead. He never stopped doing either.
  From the beginning, Professor Galbraith was ADA's guiding light--both 
philosophically and as a pragmatic politician.
  As its president, he led ADA during the Vietnam War to take a stand 
and become the first national organization to oppose the last fatally 
flawed war this country waged.
  His participation in ADA continued as an ADA national board member, 
national convention speaker and author of the pithy Galbraithian 
letters, some of which were private and many of which attracted members 
to this organization which he held so dear.
  I received a personal note from him just recently. John Kenneth 
Galbraith was that kind of person; he never stopped thinking, and 
feeling, and interacting, even as his own health was failing.
  Just a few weeks ago, as he lay bedridden, he met with an ADA board 
member to discuss ways to further the goals and objectives of the 
organization.
  John Kenneth Galbraith was nothing short of astonishing and his loss 
to us and to the world is enormous.
  His legacy will be sustained by the countless people he inspired, 
through his sons--including Jamie, who serves on ADA's national board--
and through the Galbraith Fellows,

[[Page E745]]

who will continue to work in the public service in his memory.
  To say that John Kenneth Galbraith will be sorely missed is an 
understatement of the highest order.
  What I am proud to say is that I knew this great American, and this 
institution can honor his memory by ensuring that his voice resonates 
throughout America for all time.

                          ____________________