[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 24, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN REMEMBRANCE OF MR. DONALD S. FEIGENBAUM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 2013

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the life and 
significant accomplishments of Donald S. Feigenbaum. Donald regrettably 
passed away on March 5th at the age of 87 at Berkshire Place in his 
beloved hometown of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
  Donald was born in Pittsfield, the son of S. Frederick and Hilda 
Vallin Feigenbaum. He attended Union College as an electrical 
engineering major and received his degree in 1946. Union College later 
recognized Donald as an ``Outstanding Engineering Alumnus'' and awarded 
him an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science. Donald also received an 
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of 
Massachusetts and a Doctor of Science degree from the Massachusetts 
College of Liberal Arts. Union College named its administration 
building the ``Armand and Donald S. Feigenbaum Hall,'' in honor of the 
financial and professional contributions made to the college by Donald 
and his brother.
  After serving in the Navy as a Seabee, Dr. Feigenbaum began his 
career with the General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York where 
he became a pioneer developer of value engineering, which has become a 
basic to product design and manufacturing in America.
  In 1957, Dr. Feigenbaum became the General Manager of the 
International Systems Company, guiding the company to a leadership 
position within the systems technology industry. In 1960, Donald and 
his brother Armand founded the General Systems Company, a global leader 
in designing and installing proprietary management operating systems.
  Donald and his brother Armand co-authored the book, ``The Power of 
Management Capital,'' which laid out a new direction for management not 
only in industry, but healthcare, education, public administration, and 
technology as well. The book has been influential worldwide and the 
brothers have toured the globe extensively sharing their ideas. In 
recognition of their influence, the Feigenbaum Leadership Excellence 
Award was established by the Middle East Quality Association to 
encourage the adoption of total quality management.
  Donald has made significant personal, professional and financial 
contributions to civic, educational, and charitable organizations. His 
commitment to the betterment of his home county is reflected by his 
membership on the Board of Directors of the Berkshire Economic 
Development Corporation, the Board of Trustees of the Berkshire 
Athenaeum, the Board of Overseers of the Hancock Shaker Village, the 
Board of Trustees of the Berkshire Museum, the Board of Trustees of the 
Colonial Theater Association, the Board of Trustees of the Colonial 
Theatre Association, the Board of Trustees of the Berkshire Theatre 
Festival, the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Pittsfield 
Foundation, and as a corporator of the Berkshire Medical Center.
  Donald, with his brother Armand funded the creation of the Feigenbaum 
Hall of Innovation at the Berkshire Museum. The extensive permanent 
exhibition that opened in 2008 presents the numerous achievements of 
Berkshire County residents in science, technology, and management, as 
well as innovations in the arts and other disciplines. The brothers 
have been key in the development of the Michael Walsh Trail on West 
Stockbridge Mountain, the Hilda Vallin Feigenbaum Berkshire Authors 
room in the Berkshire Athenaeum, the Feigenbaum Forum at Union College, 
the Feigenbaum Forum at the University of Massachusetts' Medical 
School, and the restoration of the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. To 
continue their legacy of philanthropy, Donald and his brother Armand 
established the Feigenbaum Foundation.
  Mr. Speaker and fellow members, please join me in recognizing the 
life and accomplishments of Dr. Donald Feigenbaum.

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