[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DON THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 2, 2010

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an accomplished 
and talented corporate leader who is an outstanding role model as we 
celebrate Black History Month. Don Thompson is the recently appointed 
President and Chief Operating Officer for the McDonald's Corporation in 
Oak Brook, Illinois. Mr. Thompson is in charge of global strategy and 
operations for McDonald's 32,000 restaurants in 117 countries. He is 
tasked with maximizing profits for the company's many shareholders 
across the globe.
  Don was raised in Chicago and Indianapolis by his grandmother. He 
credits his early success to her unwavering commitment to his education 
and wellbeing. Thanks to her determination and Don's hard work, he 
graduated from Purdue University with a degree in electrical 
engineering and got a job at the Northrop Corporation. He joined 
McDonald's in 1990 as a Restaurant Systems Engineer but soon realized 
his interest lay in restaurant operations.
  In 1993, Don was named Director of Strategic Planning and Quality 
Management. Since then, he has risen quickly through McDonald's 
operational structure, performing beyond expectations in each position 
he has been given. In 1998 he was named the San Diego Regional Manager, 
a position that put him in charge of 300 area restaurants. Within a 
year, San Diego went from being McDonald's 39th most profitable market 
to its 2nd.
  Five years later, Don was promoted to the position of Executive Vice 
President of Global Innovation where he helped expand and improve 
McDonald's global operations. Under his guidance, foreign branches were 
retooled to satisfy local palates. McDonald's international sales soon 
grew as a result and many observers attributed this turnaround to Don's 
ambitious initiatives.
  In 2006, Don became the President of McDonald's USA where he oversaw 
all of the company's 14,000 American locations. He helped steer the 
company to several years of positive domestic growth. Last month Don 
was named to his current position as President and Chief Operating 
Officer. He now plans McDonald's global strategy and helps execute its 
implementation.
  Don has been recognized for his outstanding work at McDonald's by a 
number of media outlets and business associations. Black Enterprise 
named him Corporate Executive of the Year. In 2008 the Trumpet 
Foundation awarded Don the Corporate Executive award. Last year, he 
received the Presidential Inspiration Award from Alpha Phi Alpha 
Fraternity Incorporated.
  Along with being a gifted businessman, Don is a committed member of 
his community and remains true to his humble beginnings. ``Don't get 
into the pity party of what's going to be done for you, because there 
are so many things you can do for yourself,'' he has said. ``Others 
will see what you do and will look to support and help you.'' He 
currently serves on the board of trustees for Purdue University and is 
a member of the Executive Leadership Council. He is a former member of 
the San Diego Ronald McDonald House Charities board of directors.
  While reaching the upper echelons of American business, Don has 
remained a committed family man. He lives in the Chicago area with his 
wife Elizabeth and their two children.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Don Thompson on his recent appointment and the positive 
example he sets for all Americans. In this month, when we recognize the 
contributions of African Americans in this country, it is fitting and 
proper that we include corporate leaders like Mr. Thompson, who have 
broken barriers and opened doors for future generations to follow. I 
applaud his extraordinary accomplishments and the wonderful legacy he 
has built through hard work and perseverance.

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