[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 6, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4390-S4391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ALAN MACDONALD

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, we are lucky in Massachusetts to 
have men and women who--at the community level--give of themselves to 
make lasting contributions to our quality of life, our neighborhoods, 
and our economic footing. I have always thought it was no coincidence 
that when DeTocqueville came to America to study the country's 
``character,'' he spent much of his time in Massachusetts and reflected 
there that ``America is great because Americans are good.''
  DeTocqueville would find much of that character still abides in Alan 
Macdonald, executive director of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, 
whose life has been defined by good old fashioned civic leadership--for 
23 years a driving force making Massachusetts a better place to live, 
to work and to raise a family.
  Today, as Alan prepares for a much-deserved retirement, I thank him 
for everything he has done for our State.
  Throughout 23 years at the helm of the Massachusetts Business 
Roundtable, Alan brought together the policymakers, industries and 
educators who make Massachusetts the center of economic growth, 
educational excellence and health care innovation it is today. The 
Massachusetts Business Roundtable set a laser focus on

[[Page S4391]]

strengthening our State's long-term economic health. Alan himself 
oversaw the creation of task forces on health care, on education and 
workforce development, on transportation and infrastructure and 
corporate social responsibility.
  The results are clear for all to see. Massachusetts is creating jobs 
faster than almost every other State, our economy is expanding at twice 
the national growth rate, and our students are outperforming their 
peers around the country. Now, there are a lot of people to thank for 
that, and many who have played a part in the success of our State--but 
one of them is very definitely Alan Macdonald. Thanks in part to the 
strategic thinking under Alan's leadership, Massachusetts became the 
model for health care reforms that expand coverage and lower costs. It 
is one of the reasons that a well-educated work force is our State's 
calling card in the global economy. And it is one of the reasons our 
State has a competitive edge in building a 21st century infrastructure 
and developing clean energy. Thank you, Alan.
  Alan's retirement gives him more time to spend with his wife Jane, 
more time with his two sons, Alan and Daniel and their families, and 
more time with his four grandchildren. And I think we can all agree 
that he has earned the extra time for his other great passions--
baseball and golf.
  But fortunately, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable has made Alan 
its president emeritus. So as the roundtable navigates the coming 
challenges, it is comforting to know that Alan Macdonald won't be far 
away.

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