[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 17383-17384]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JONATHAN M. TOPODAS

 Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I wish today to pay tribute to 
Jonathan M. Topodas, who will be retiring this month after a 
spectacular 38-year-career with Aetna, one of Connecticut's leading 
corporate citizens.
  Jonathan joined Aetna's law department after graduating from Southern 
Methodist University Law School in 1974. Throughout his tenure with the 
company, he has provided sound legal advice to many of the firm's 
clients. More recently, Jonathan joined Aetna's Federal relations team, 
where he currently serves as the vice president and counsel responsible 
for Federal health legislative and regulatory matters. In this 
position, Jonathan has been an important voice in debates about 
critical health care issues, such as Medicare and patient safety.
  In addition to his work with Aetna, Jonathan also earned a 
congressional fellowship through the Brookings Institution in 1979. 
Through this program, he worked as a counsel for the Senate Judiciary 
Committee. He also serves on the board of directors of the American 
Benefits Council, and has worked together with respected business 
organizations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National 
Association of Manufacturers.
  Jonathan's wife Elaine, an accomplished dancer and teacher, shares 
his commitment to community service. Elaine is affiliated with several 
community groups and theaters as a choreographer and director. She is 
passionate about her work, so much so that she returns to Connecticut 
during the summer to work with local dance troupes in a variety of 
settings. I thank Elaine for her contributions to Connecticut's vibrant 
artistic culture.
  In his off-work hours, Jonathan enjoys spending time with his three 
children and two grandchildren. He also

[[Page 17384]]

loves to explore his deep Greek heritage. Jonathan's ancestors made 
their living as divers in the Aegean Sea, and Jonathan is known to 
regale his friends and colleagues with fascinating anecdotes about 
Greek history and culture, such as the history of the Hippocratic Oath.
  I wish Jonathan Topodas, and his family, nothing but the best as he 
gets ready to begin a well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________