[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 58 (Tuesday, May 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF DAVID YOST, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF 
                           AMERISOURCEBERGEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2011

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute the career and many 
contributions of David Yost, the Chief Executive Officer of 
AmerisourceBergen, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical 
distribution and services companies headquartered in my district in 
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Yost will retire this July. Following his graduation from the 
U.S. Air Force Academy and military service, Dave spent most of his 
professional career with Amerisource Health Corporation and, after the 
2001 merger with Bergen Brunswig Corporation in 2001, AmerisourceBergen 
Corporation. In a career spanning 37 years, he has served as CEO for 14 
years and has guided the company successfully through a rapidly 
changing business environment. The company has experienced astonishing 
growth from $40 billion in revenues in 2002 to nearly $80 billion this 
year and it continues to handle many challenges presented by our 
evolving health care system.
  David Yost is an exceptional leader with impeccable commitment to the 
highest ethical standards. He has led a company that is a shining 
example of how our health care marketplace should operate today--a 
company that delivers savings, efficiency, security and integrity of 
product for patients who need these medicines. In addition, he has a 
history of giving, including as a Founding Director of the U.S. Air 
Force Academy Endowment Fund which provides cadets with facilities and 
programs for their professional development. He has generously 
initiated employee-company match contributions for those affected by 
disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the recent Japanese earthquake 
disaster.
  David Yost has provided a long-term vision for the industry, 
reforming the entire enterprise by reducing inventory size and its 
associated costs, and stressing the importance of technology and 
strategic partnerships in moving the company forward. AmerisourceBergen 
was the first national distributor to announce that it would only 
purchase pharmaceuticals directly from the manufacturer to ensure the 
integrity of products to patients. He also instilled pride in the 
company's workforce for the important work they do. There is a sign 
over the door of every AmerisourceBergen distribution center that reads 
``Thank you for what you do. People's lives depend on it.''
  Through it all, David Yost has been a devoted husband and father and 
active in his community. He now prepares for a well-deserved retirement 
to spend more time with family and pursue other interests.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to represent many of the fine 
employees of AmerisourceBergen and I join them in saluting David Yost 
for his vision, leadership and outstanding service during a long and 
exemplary career.

                          ____________________