[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 64 (Monday, May 22, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING W. JAMES FARRELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 22, 2006

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today I order to recognize the long 
and distinguished career of Jim Farrell. Jim retired this month as 
chairman of Illinois Tool Works, Inc., ITW, after a 41-year career with 
the company, and has spent a lifetime making a positive impact on the 
Chicago-area community.
  After graduating from the University of Detroit with a degree in 
electrical engineering, Jim joined ITW in 1965. He originally intended 
to work there for the few months he had before reporting for military 
service, but he would ultimately return after 2 years in the Army. 
Rising steadily through the ranks, Jim served as ITW's chief executive 
officer from 1995 and chairman from 1996. Based in Glenview, Illinois, 
the company now operates in 45 countries and employs almost 50,000 
people.
  As CEO and chairman of a Fortune 200 company, Jim was known for an 
unusual but highly successful approach. At ITW he oversaw the purchase 
of more than 200 companies. He resisted the prevailing wisdom to 
consolidate operations and instead gave the 600 division managers a 
high degree of autonomy. This allowed Jim to cultivate an environment 
that remains highly conducive to entrepreneurship and allows managers 
to stay closely connected to employees and customers.
  Jim has always found time and energy to give to the community. For 
more than a decade he has chaired and worked with the Chicago branch of 
Junior Achievement, a world-wide organization dedicated to educating 
young people about business, economics, and free enterprise. In 
addition to serving on numerous other business and civic boards, Jim 
also instituted a generous matching policy under which ITW matches $3 
for each $1 donated to charity by an employee.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Jim for his many successes, I thank him 
for his role within the business community of Illinois and for his 
dedication to civic duty, and I wish him and his family the best of 
luck in all future endeavors.

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