[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 8, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S3607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO LOUIS E. GIVAN

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a 
distinguished Kentuckian who has worked tirelessly on behalf of our 
Nation's soldiers, sailors and marines for more than 40 years. Louis E. 
Givan, a lifelong resident of my hometown of Louisville, has played a 
vital role in protecting the men and women of our Armed Forces and our 
country's defense.
  Formerly a sailor himself in the U.S. Navy, he has served for the 
last 11 years as the general manager of Raytheon Missile Systems 
operations in Louisville. I was saddened to hear of his retirement from 
that position this coming July 5. He will certainly be missed.
  Mr. Givan--or, to those who know him, Ed--was a 1966 graduate of St. 
Xavier High School in Louisville and in 1970 earned his bachelor of 
science degree in mechanical engineering from the J.B. Speed School of 
Engineering at the University of Louisville. In 1968, he began working 
at the Naval Ordnance Station in Louisville, and he stayed at that post 
until 1996, in various engineering and supervisory positions.
  In 1996 the Naval Ordnance Station transitioned to private ownership, 
and Ed's leadership was crucial in making that transition a successful 
one. The facility eventually became part of Raytheon Missile Systems, 
and Ed was appointed general manager in 2000. As general manager, Ed 
has led Raytheon Missile Systems in Louisville to great success, 
success for both the company and for the local community. They design, 
develop, and produce vital weapons systems for our armed forces, 
enabling America to have the most formidable military force in the 
world. Weapons produced at the Louisville facility are used by our 
forces in all parts of the globe, including in Iraq.
  Kentucky is lucky to have benefitted from Ed's dedication, commitment 
to excellence, and leadership for so many years. I am sure his wife 
Velma; his sons Eddie, Tony, and Chris; and his grandchildren Benjamin, 
Nathan, Isaac, Macy and Natalie are all very proud of what Ed has 
accomplished. I wish him the very best in retirement, and I am sure my 
colleagues join me in saying that this U.S. Senate thanks Mr. Louis E. 
``Ed'' Givan for his faithful service.

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