[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 88 (Friday, June 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATING RALPH CROSBY FOR BEING NAMED BOSS OF THE YEAR

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                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 12, 2009

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I 
rise today to honor Ralph Crosby for being named ``Boss of the Year'' 
for 2009 by the Top-Side Aviation Club. The ``Boss of the Year'' is one 
of the club's most prestigious honors, and Ralph is most deserving of 
this award in recognition of his tireless efforts on behalf of EADS 
North America. He is one of those rare, one-in-a-million type of 
individuals whom, I am fortunate to know and call my friend.
  Throughout his entire life, Ralph's work ethic, his love of family, 
country, and God have all contributed to his success and to receiving 
this prestigious award.
  A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Ralph was appointed to West 
Point by Senator Strom Thurmond. He graduated first in his class in 
engineering and was in the top 2 percent of his overall class. He went 
on to earn two Master's degrees, one from the acclaimed JFK School of 
Government at Harvard University, where he graduated with a perfect 
4.0, and the other, where he achieved the highest academic mark ever 
recorded at the time from the Graduate Institute of International 
Studies in Geneva.
  After graduating from West Point, Ralph had a distinguished military 
career where he was selected as Officer of the Year of the 2nd Armored 
Cavalry Regiment and served tours in Germany, Vietnam and the United 
States. During his last military assignment, he served as the military 
staff assistant to Vice President Walter Mondale.
  In 1981, Ralph resigned his commission as major in the U.S. Army and 
joined Northrop Grumman where he enjoyed a 21-year career and rapidly 
rose up the company ladder. He was among the youngest vice presidents 
ever appointed in the company's 60 year history, and he ran the B-2 
program--arguably one of the most important assets in our nation's 
strategic arsenal.
  On September 1, 2002, Ralph assumed leadership of EADS North America, 
one of the world's largest aerospace and defense companies. As chairman 
and chief executive officer, he has been directly responsible for the 
company's activities--and substantial growth--in the United States over 
the last seven years.
  He established a significant aerospace presence in neighboring 
Mississippi where EADS North America produces the Light Utility 
Helicopter for the U.S. Army. All have been delivered on schedule and 
under budget. EADS has become a major employer across the United States 
supporting more than 190,000 jobs in 17 states and contributing over $9 
billion to the U.S. economy annually.
  Alabama--and certainly the city of Mobile--has developed a close 
relationship with Ralph and EADS over the past several years. Under 
Ralph's leadership, EADS selected Brookley Air Field in Mobile as the 
home for its U.S. production facility for the next-generation aerial 
refueling tanker. EADS also partnered with Northrop Grumman to launch a 
joint bid to provide America's warfighters with the very best 
equipment, technology, and training to do their jobs and complete their 
missions.
  In recognition of his impressive career and many accomplishments, 
Ralph was Aviation Week and Space Technology magazine's runner-up for 
Person of the Year last year.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to offer my personal congratulations to 
Ralph Crosby for being named the Boss of the Year for 2009 and, in so 
doing, recognize him for his many outstanding accomplishments.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating a dedicated 
professional and friend. I know his family--his wife, Mary Grace; their 
children, Ralph and Laura Grace; and their beautiful grandchildren--as 
well as his many friends and colleagues join me in praising his 
accomplishments and extending thanks for his many efforts over the 
years.

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