[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 24 (Thursday, February 14, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H506-H507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                DR. JULIAN DAVIDSON, AN AMERICAN PATRIOT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Alabama (Mr. Brooks) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Julian Davidson passed away 
on January 31, 2013.
  I have personally known Julian Davidson and his wife, Dorothy, for 
only a few years. But I know enough about Julian Davidson, what he did, 
and how he lived to know that he was an American patriot who will be 
sorely missed by his family, the Tennessee Valley, America, and me.
  Julian Davidson was born in the small town of Oakman in Walker 
County, Alabama, on September 2, 1927. He was a proud son of Oakman and 
Walker County; however, his destiny lay elsewhere.
  At the age of 17, Julian Davidson hitchhiked to Montgomery, Alabama, 
and without permission and despite being underage, enlisted in the Navy 
during World War II. He served with distinction on gunships loading 
heavy ammunition into gun turrets. Julian Davidson's naval service gave 
him an enduring respect and admiration for America's warfighters who 
serve in harm's way.
  After the Navy, Julian Davidson attended classes during the day and 
worked at a pool hall at night to obtain an electrical engineering 
degree from Auburn University. After graduation, Julian Davidson joined 
the Tennessee Valley Authority where he rose to senior design engineer.
  In 1961, Julian Davidson began work for the United States Ballistic 
Missile Defense Organization as an aerospace research engineer, thus 
beginning his life's passion in a career in missile defense that 
spanned half a century.
  Julian Davidson once briefed Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara 
concerning using the Nike Zeus missile system for a possible anti-
satellite role. Army leadership didn't believe McNamara would do it, so 
they sent in Julian Davidson, then a junior member of the briefing team 
to make the presentation. Julian related that ``for some reason, 
McNamara was very interested and asked how long it would take and how 
much it would cost.'' I answered 15 months and $15 million. He didn't 
flinch. He said, Do it. We went through about six decision milestones 
in that 15-minute briefing.
  In time, Julian Davidson became Director of the Advanced Ballistic 
Missile Defense Agency and one of the youngest people to achieve the 
rank of senior executive service with the Federal Government.
  In 1979, Julian met Dorothy Smith. In 1981, they married in Fairfax, 
Virginia. Julian loved and admired Dorothy for her intelligence and 
spark. Julian Davidson used to say that Dorothy ``is the glue that 
holds everything together.'' He wrote in a speech:

       I'd like to thank my wife, Dorothy, who in addition to 
     running her company, takes care of family matters, allowing 
     me to do the things that interest me the most, missile 
     development and testing.

  Julian Davidson was quick witted when he added:

       I want you to know the rumor is not true that Dorothy does 
     all the maintenance jobs around the home because I refuse to. 
     I would be happy to do these tasks, except she will not allow 
     me to borrow her tools.

  In the 1990s, Julian and Dorothy Davidson settled in Huntsville, 
Alabama, a community Julian loved very much. Julian started Davidson 
Technologies in 1996 with just two employees.
  Julian Davidson emerged as a leading figure in the Tennessee Valley 
and believed that if everyone worked for the betterment of the 
community, regardless of personal gain, everyone benefited. Julian 
sought to leave our community and country better than he found it, and 
he did that.
  Julian Davidson is a former chairman of the Air Force Studies Board 
of

[[Page H507]]

the National Research Council, member of the Defense Sciences Board, 
and vice chairman of the Technology Assessment Committee of the United 
Space Command for the National Research Council.
  Julian Davidson twice received the Army Exceptional Civilian Service 
Award. He has received the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service 
Award, the MDA Pioneer Award, and the Medaris Award. He is a member of 
the United States Army Strategic Defense Employees Hall of Fame, the 
Alabama Technology Hall of Fame, and the Auburn Alumni Engineering 
Council.
  Julian Davidson's impact on America is enormous. He is known by many 
as the ``father of missile defense in America.''
  Julian Davidson is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his four children, 
Diana Lyn, Janice Faye, Randall Eugene, and Robert Lee; his two 
grandchildren, Wendy Faith Holderfield and William Blair Peyton; and 
three great grandchildren, Teagan Holderfield, Shelby Holderfield, and 
Michaela Holderfield.
  America and the Davidson family have lost a great man and a true 
patriot, and we are all better for having known Dr. Julian Davidson.

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