[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 176 (Monday, December 7, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S8436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                         TRIBUTE TO TED BEATTIE

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I wish to take a few moments to 
acknowledge Ted A. Beattie, president and chief executive officer of 
the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL. Earlier this year, Ted announced 
that he would be retiring from the world's largest indoor aquarium in 
late 2016.
  The Shedd Aquarium is home to 32,500 fish habitats and attracts more 
than 2 million people every year. It is an educational and cultural 
treasure in Chicago--and the most popular family and tourist attraction 
in the city.
  Under Ted Beattie's leadership, the Shedd Aquarium was Chicago's top 
attended paid cultural attraction for 17 of the last 21 years, 
welcoming more than 33 million guests. It is an extraordinary 
accomplishment. After a 35-year affiliation with Shedd, Ted is leaving 
this beloved institution in good shape. Since joining Shedd in 1994 as 
the third president and CEO in the aquarium's history, here are just 
some of his many accomplishments: Ted developed and opened six 
permanent exhibits, only the second expansion since the aquarium opened 
its doors in 1930. He created eight special exhibits, the latest being 
``Amphibians,'' opening next May, and established the Daniel P. 
Haerther Center for Conservation and Research, which has grown to 
include 18 global field research programs. Ted also oversaw the 
addition of Shedd's onsite animal hospital and lab facilities housed in 
the A. Watson Armour III Center for Aquatic Animal Health and Welfare.
  Throughout his time at Shedd, Ted Beattie demonstrated an exceptional 
ability to engage and inspire the next generation. As president, Ted 
opened a teen learning lab, a free, collaborative space for teens--
developed by teens--to enhance critical thinking skills while exploring 
environmental interests and science.
  Prior to joining Shedd, Ted Beattie served as director for both the 
Knoxville Zoo and Fort Worth Zoo and held positions at the Chicago 
Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical 
Garden. During his tenure as president of the Association of Zoos and 
Aquariums, AZA, he spent 15 years teaching management courses as part 
of AZA's professional management schools and received AZA's highest 
award for professional excellence--the R. Marlin Perkins Award for 
Professional Excellence.
  Time and time again, Ted found creative ways to get around obstacles 
and make good things happen for Shedd and other zoos and aquariums 
across the country. I know this is not the final chapter for Ted 
Beattie. He will continue to be a passionate advocate for conversation 
and educational initiatives through the Penny Beattie Leadership Fund, 
a professional development scholarship program established in honor of 
Ted's late wife.
  I congratulate Ted Beattie on his distinguished career and thank him 
for dedicating a large part of his career to the Shedd Aquarium and the 
people of Chicago. It has been a pleasure to support his work, and I 
wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life.

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