[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E485-E486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        DR. FRANK S. GREENE, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 2010

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life of Dr. Frank S. Greene, Jr., technology 
professional, electrical engineer, venture capitalist, entrepreneur, 
philanthropist, parent, grandparent and friend. With his passing, 
December 26, 2009, at the age of 71, we are reminded of his life's 
journey, his prolific career and the joyful legacy he has inspired.
  Dr. Greene was born on October 19, 1938, in Washington, DC, to Frank 
S. Green, Sr. and Irma Olivia Swygert. He was raised in St. Louis, 
Missouri, where, in 1961, he became one of the first African-American 
students to graduate from Washington University. He was also among the 
first cohort of black students to complete the university's U.S. Air 
Force ROTC Program, and was ultimately promoted to the rank of Air 
Force Captain, helping to develop high performance computers for the 
National Security Agency.
  An avid and industrious scholar, Dr. Greene earned a master's degree 
in electrical engineering from Purdue University, and his Ph.D. from 
Santa Clara University, where he was later elected as the first 
African-American Trustee. As Dr. Greene began a career in the private 
sector, he maintained close ties to academia and academic pursuits, 
teaching university courses in electrical engineering and computer 
science at prestigious universities across the country.

[[Page E486]]

  In 1965, Dr. Greene joined a research and development team at 
Fairchild Semiconductor that won the fastest memory chip design patent 
of the time. In 1971, he founded Technology Development Corporation, a 
fast-growing computer software and technical services company, which 
led to the founding of ZeroOne Systems in 1985. In 1993, he co-founded 
New Vista Capital, a venture capital firm that specialized in funding 
women-owned and minority-owned businesses. Throughout his career, Dr. 
Greene earned many accolades, including receiving Washington 
University's Black Alumni Achievement Award, Santa Clara University's 
Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, Purdue University's Outstanding 
Electrical and Computer Engineer Award, and, in 2002, induction as the 
first African American into the Silicon Valley Engineering Hall of 
Fame.
  All the while, Dr. Greene kept in mind the critical importance of 
instilling in youth a love of learning and an indomitable belief in the 
ability to succeed. He began the GO-Positive Foundation to encourage 
life skills through, ``Vision, Relationships, and Execution,'' with his 
VRE Leadership Model. Additionally, the Dr. Frank S. Greene Scholars 
Program is a science, technology, engineering and math initiative 
contributing to the academic success of African-American students. He 
was also an active member of many local organizations.
  I met Dr. Greene years ago while working on the former congressional 
staff for current mayor, Ron Dellums. Dr. Greene was always a kind and 
forthright man whose business acumen impressed me tremendously. We 
worked on many business issues together and, as an elected official, I 
enjoyed his gracious and consistent support over the years. Frank did 
so much for young people in the Bay Area and beyond. He was a good 
friend, and I will miss him.
  Today, California's 9th Congressional District salutes and honors a 
wonderful human being, Dr. Frank S. Greene, Jr. Our community is 
indebted to his life's contribution in countless ways. Dr. Greene was 
truly a great man and he will be deeply missed by an extended group of 
family, friends and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.

                          ____________________