[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 127 (Monday, July 20, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E651-E652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATING RICHARD W. LARIVIERE, PHD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 2020

  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
celebrate and thank Richard W. Lariviere, PhD, for his leadership at 
the Field Museum of Natural History. President and CEO of the Field 
Museum since October 2012, Dr. Lariviere will retire on July 31, 2020.
  In his eight years at the Field Museum, Dr. Lariviere piloted the 
beloved Chicago institution through several pivotal challenges and 
opportunities. These included stabilizing the Museum's financial 
situation, reorganizing its science and education departments, 
reconfiguring its landmark Stanley Field Hall, revamping its outdated 
Native American Hall in consultation with representatives from 
indigenous communities, leading the $250-million Because Earth 
campaign, and co-convening a group of major U.S. and overseas natural 
history museum directors to discuss common issues.
  Before joining the Field, Dr. Lariviere was the President of the 
University of Oregon from July 2009 through November 2011. During his 
tenure there, he cultivated the university's growing reputation for 
innovation in the classroom and in research, sharpening its focus on 
sustainability and international partnerships. Prior to Oregon, Dr. 
Lariviere was Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost at the University 
of Kansas from 2006 to 2009 and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at 
the University of Texas at Austin from 1999 to 2006. Dr. Lariviere also 
served as the inaugural Associate Vice President for the Office for 
International Programs at UT Austin.
  Dr. Lariviere was born in Chicago and grew up in Marshalltown, Iowa. 
He earned his bachelor's degree in the History of Religions from the 
University of Iowa in 1972 and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. In 1978, 
he earned his doctorate in Sanskrit from the University of 
Pennsylvania.
  After spending time in India, Dr. Lariviere built an impressive 
academic career around the country's languages, histories, religions 
and culture. He has published articles and several books on India's 
legal history. His work on early Sanskrit literature has transformed 
our understanding of Indian legal history. He reads eight languages and 
speaks French and Hindi. He has conducted research in London, Oxford, 
Calcutta, Poona Kathmandu, Tokyo, Beijing, Lahore, Munich, Colombo and 
Madras, and many other cities.
  He had a successful career as a consultant for American and Indian 
companies in information technology and business process outsourcing. 
He has also served on corporate boards in the IT industry in Europe and 
India.
  Dr. Lariviere is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations 
and the American Oriental Society, a fellow of the Royal Asiatic 
Society of Great Britain, a member of the American Academy of Arts and 
Sciences, and a founding member of the Society for Design and Process 
Science. In Chicago, he is a member of the Economic Club, The Chicago 
Club, and the Arts Club of Chicago. In 2019, he was elected a Fellow 
ofthe American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
  He has earned several awards for outstanding contributions, including 
the Margaret C. Berry Award in 2004 from the University of Texas and 
the Eyes of Texas in 2004 and 1993. He was selected by the Royal Dutch 
Academy to give the annual Gonda Lecture in 1994, and the College de 
France honored him with the status of Professeur etranger in 1996. In 
1989, his book on Indian legal procedure was selected as the best book 
of the year on South Asia by the CESMEO Institute in Torino, Italy.
  I commend Dr. Lariviere for his years of service and legacy to 
Chicago's cultural community, and remember, Retiring is not how I would 
describe him. I have a feeling that it is the beginning of another 
exciting chapter in his life. Whatever retirement means to him, may it 
bring greater personal fulfillment than he ever though possible.

[[Page E652]]

  

                          ____________________