[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 35 (Thursday, March 11, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MOURNING THE PASSING OF JON JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 2010

  Ms. HARMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of my 
friend Jon Jones, the Vice President of Raytheon Company and President 
of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS)--and to celebrate his 
life.
  Jon was a single father with sole custody of his two beloved 
daughters. He was a proud family man and was pleased to see them grow 
successfully into adulthood--Alexis, a nurse practitioner who does 
research at USC, and Ashley, a student at the University of Arizona. He 
was looking forward to Alexis' wedding in May.
  Jon led a life devoted to others. In addition to supporting numerous 
veterans' charities and causes, Jon is remembered for his authenticity, 
his even temper, and the kindness with which he treated others.
  He was a proud native of California and a true Bruins fan serving on 
the Dean's Advisory Council at UCLA School of Engineering, where he was 
scheduled to give the commencement address in May.
  He was Raytheon Executive Diversity Champion and throughout his 
career served as a model for inclusion and embracing diverse viewpoints 
to solve some of our nation's most difficult technology challenges.
  He pioneered the development of the Sidewinder missile and the 
Tomahawk cruise missile, both of which have provided critical 
capabilities to our nation's military.
  Jon served as Vice President and Deputy General Manager of Space and 
Airborne Systems before becoming its president in 2005. He demonstrated 
for his 12,400 employees the professionalism and self-confidence that 
allows them to serve their country so well. He demanded excellence and 
got it, turning a troubled Raytheon contract around after some major 
challenges.
  Jon was an admired innovator. He won the Malcolm R. Currie Innovation 
award in 1996. He was named the State of Arizona's Innovator of the 
Year in 1997, and he received Raytheon's corporate Excellence in 
Technology Award for advancements in infrared guided missiles in 2001.
  He was an advocate for the warfighter, a patriot, and a successful 
businessman and innovator, but most importantly, a devoted and 
wonderful father. My colleagues and I who knew and worked closely with 
him mourn his passing.

                          ____________________