[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF THE RETIREMENT OF TOM VANKIRK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CONOR LAMB

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2020

  Mr. LAMB. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of 
Tom VanKirk, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at 
Highmark Health on December 31, 2020.
  Mr. VanKirk joined Highmark Inc. in March 2012 following a 41-year 
career at Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney. In addition to overseeing the 
acquisition of West Penn Allegheny Hospital System and Jefferson 
Hospital as well as the formation of Highmark Health in 2013 and its 
affiliation with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of northeast Pennsylvania 
in 2015, he has managed the legal affairs of the company and the legal 
department, and serves on the company's leadership team. He was also 
instrumental in the formation of Highmark Health's strategic 
partnerships with Johns Hopkins Medicine and Penn State Health. Mr. 
VanKirk also serves as the secretary of the board of directors of 
Highmark Inc. and Highmark Health.
  Prior to joining Highmark in 2012, Mr. VanKirk served as Chairman and 
CEO at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney from 2003 until 2009, and Chairman 
until 2012, where he provided strategic leadership, client relationship 
development and attorney recruitment. He also managed the merger of 
three major law firms into Buchanan. Mr. VanKirk served as COO for 18 
years from 1985 to 2003 before becoming CEO at Buchanan Ingersoll. He 
was a corporate takeover and antitrust trial lawyer and corporate 
advisor to many Fortune 1,000 companies.
  As a community leader, Mr. VanKirk is involved in many civic and non-
profit initiatives throughout the Pittsburgh region. He serves on the 
Executive Committee of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the Pennsylvania 
Economy League and Chaired the Pennsylvania Business Council Board. In 
addition, Mr. VanKirk is a trustee of the University of Pittsburgh, the 
YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, United Way, the Board of visitors of the 
PITT School of Social Work, The Carnegie Museum, and on the board of 
Penn State Health.
  Mr. VanKirk and his wife Bonnie have been involved in the founding of 
both the Hillman Cancer Center and the August Wilson Center, two vital 
Pittsburgh institutions. He is a graduate of two great Pennsylvania 
schools. Bucknell and Penn State Dickinson School of Law.

                 [From Penn State University Newswire]

       According to a recent news article looking back on his life 
     and contributions to our community, ``When Mr. VanKirk, 1970, 
     attended Penn State Dickinson Law five decades ago, it was a 
     time of tremendous unrest. The civil rights movement and 
     protests against the Vietnam War were peaking, and VanKirk 
     felt drawn to the field of law.''
       Said Mr. VanKirk of this experience, ``I think the law has 
     always been a great place to make a meaningful and lasting 
     impact on society.''

  On behalf of the constituents of Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional 
District, I would like to congratulate Mr. VanKirk on his retirement 
and thank him for his tireless work to enhance the quality of life of 
our community.

                          ____________________