[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 81 (Thursday, May 17, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E671-E672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DAVID W. THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONALD S. BEYER, JR.

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2018

  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to 
David W. Thompson, the President and CEO of Orbital ATK, Incorporated 
and the Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Orbital Sciences Corporation, 
for his extraordinary and ongoing contributions to the nation. Mr. 
Thompson has contributed nearly four decades of leadership in the 
advancement of space technology and national defense. History will note 
that he conceived and built Orbital Sciences Corporation as a 
pioneering venture that was among the first to demonstrate a new model 
of commercial funding, development and manufacture of space systems.
  Both companies have flourished in Virginia. Orbital ATK, 
headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, is the largest new space and defense 
technology company to emerge in the post-Sputnik era. Orbital grew from 
three employees and zero revenue in 1982 to become Orbital ATK with 
14,000 employees and a $9 billion enterprise value. Orbital ATK is one 
of the world's top 10 aerospace and defense manufacturers. It is among 
the top five suppliers to NASA and it is a critical partner with the US 
Department of Defense. Orbital ATK's services to the nation include 
resupplying the International Space Station using its Antares launch 
vehicle and Cygnus spacecraft and providing essential national defense 
capabilities that include the company's key role in protecting America 
from ballistic missile attack.
  For over 36 years, Mr. Thompson has inspired new generations of 
engineers and scientists to conceive innovative space and national 
defense solutions through his exceptional vision, creativity, 
perseverance and dedication. Mr. Thompson's many awards include the 
National Medal of Technology, Virginia's Industrialist of the Year, 
High-Technology Entrepreneur of the year, the National

[[Page E672]]

Air and Space Museum Trophy and the Theodore von Karman International 
Wings Award. Mr. Thompson is a Fellow of the American Astronautical 
Society and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
  America and Virginia have been abundantly blessed by the patriotism, 
dedication and achievement of David Thompson. David has enjoyed the 
loving support of his wife Catherine and daughter Maggie. I wish them 
Godspeed and continued success as David pioneers a new chapter.

                          ____________________