[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 128 (Thursday, September 20, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING JOHN FRANCIS DIGNAM

 Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts. Mr. President, I rise today to pay 
tribute to an extraordinary Bay State resident and patriot, John 
Francis Dignam, who passed away on March 18, 2012, at the age of 78.
  John Francis Dignam's life story is truly an American story. Born in 
Lawrence, MA, John attended St. Mary's Grammar School and graduated 
from Central Catholic High School at the age of 16, in 1950. He 
attended Tilton Prep School and Holy Cross, before enlisting in the 
Army in 1953, where he received numerous commendations. Upon his 
discharge from the Army, John attended Northeastern University in 
Boston, and earned a degree in physics and Applied Science in 1962. He 
returned to Northeastern many years later, and earned a degree from the 
executive MBA program.
  John is best known for his work as a civil servant at the Watertown 
Arsenal from 1966-1996, where he served with and led a core team of 
national experts focused on the development of advanced materials and 
structures to meet the highly challenging requirements of United States 
ground and space-based defense systems. At the time of his retirement, 
he served as the Chief of the Ballistic Missile Defense Materials 
Program Office; Physical Science Administrator in the Materials 
Directorate; and Director of the Hardened Materials Program.
  Following the closure of Watertown Arsenal in 1996, John retired from 
government service and founded a small company named Mentis Sciences. 
At Mentis Sciences, John and his team have conducted cutting-edge 
materials research, engineering and manufacturing support for the 
Department of Defense on many high priority tactical and strategic 
missile defense programs.
  John Francis Dignam loved our great country, and his record of 
academic and professional achievement is both substantial and 
impressive. But it tells only part of the story. Alongside of his 
beloved wife of 49 years, Rita, he was a life-long resident of 
Massachusetts who was active in his community and his church. 
Throughout his decades of service to the country, John never lost sight 
of his Massachusetts roots, and he always made time to support his 
community and his church. He led others through his example. And today 
he lays at rest along the hillside at the Immaculate Conception 
Cemetery in Lawrence.
  I am proud to rise today to honor his service to the Nation, and to 
recognize his profound contributions to Massachusetts, the greater 
Lawrence community, and his family.

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