[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 71 (Wednesday, June 7, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S5596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORIAM: ROBERT L. DUVALL, III

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President. I take this opportunity to honor the 
life of Bob Duvall, not only out of great respect for his contributions 
to technology advancements in the defense industry but also for all of 
those who have played a key role in the strength of our Armed Forces 
and Nation's security. Warfighters and commanders among all service 
groups have directly benefited from his engineering contributions. Mr. 
Duvall passed away on May 24, 2006. He was 61.
  Mr. Robert L. Duvall, III, was born in Cheverly, MD, on October 8, 
1944 and grew up in the suburbs of Washington, DC. His father was an 
electrical engineer for the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company 
and inspired him to pursue a career in engineering. In 1967, he 
graduated from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, with a degree in 
electrical engineering and subsequently went to work at Hughes Aircraft 
Company in California. Mr. Duvall furthered his education with a 
master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of 
Southern California in 1975.
  After Mr. Duvall's placement within the defense industry, his 
technical expertise expanded to include a variety of disciplines, 
including circuit design, optics, infrared technology, optoelectronics, 
and systems integration. It was within the infrared technology and 
laser systems integration sector that his contributions made the most 
notable and recognized impact to the military capability of the United 
States. Early contributions and developments during his 20-plus years 
with Hughes Aircraft led to innovation in Naval and Air Force laser 
pointing and tracking technology. His contributions are better known 
for supporting the U.S. Army's Second Generation Forward Looking 
Infrared, FLIR, developments in the early 1990s.
  Mr. Duvall's pioneering efforts with Hughes Aircraft and subsequently 
his current position as vice president of advanced technology at DRS 
Technologies have indeed made a difference for our present generation 
of warfighters. Our sons and daughters enter into battle with the 
decisive ability to ``own the night'' and precisely target and defeat 
the threat because of the incredible contribution he made as a member 
of our defense industry. There is no doubt Mr. Duvall contributed 
directly to the saving of many lives and the avoidance of great loss 
because of his efforts and expertise.
  Mr. Duvall is survived by his wife Shirley and his two children Mark 
and Michelle. Their loss should not be felt alone and should not be 
remembered alone. It is indeed with great respect and admiration for 
his contribution to our Nation's defense that we pause today to 
recognize Mr. Robert L. Duvall, III. His effort will have a lasting 
effect on many, and no doubt others lives will continue because of 
him.

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