[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9702]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM HAWKINS

  Mr. FRANKEN. Mr. President, I would like to honor a leader from my 
home State of Minnesota, William A. Hawkins. Bill, who is retiring with 
distinction as the chairman and CEO of Medtronic, has achieved great 
professional success through his dedication to and advancement of life-
saving innovations. Approximately every 4 seconds, the life of someone 
somewhere in the world is improved by a Medtronic product or therapy.
  Medical technology is an important solution to our Nation's health 
care challenges. Under Bill's leadership, Medtronic has helped to 
maintain Minnesota's world leadership in medical innovation.
  Bill has nearly 35 years of career experience in the medical device 
industry, serving in leadership positions at Novoste Corporation, 
American Home Products, Johnson and Johnson, Guidant Corporation, and 
Eli Lilly. He began his medical technology career with Carolina Medical 
Electronics in 1977. While reflecting on his career at Medtronic, he 
recently said, ``I have seen many product launches--from the ear 
thermometer to the automatic external defibrillator.''
  He joined Medtronic in 2002 as senior vice president and president of 
the company's vascular business before serving as corporate president 
and chief operating officer. Bill Hawkins was named chief executive 
officer of Medtronic in 2007 and assumed the additional role of 
chairman in 2008.
  Under his guidance, Medtronic's capacity to serve patients extended 
further to provide an array of diagnostic, preventive, and chronic 
disease management solutions. With a breadth and depth of expertise 
across more than 30 major chronic conditions, he recognized the unique 
position to play a larger role in the health care industry.
  In March of 2010, Bill received the Biomedical Engineering Society's 
Distinguished Achievement Award. This award is given to recognize those 
that have made great contributions to the field of biomedical 
engineering and bioengineering.
  Mr. Hawkins serves on the Board of Visitors for the Duke University 
School of Engineering and the Board of Directors for the Guthrie 
Theater and the University of Minnesota Foundation.
  I ask my colleagues to join me, his friends, family, and colleagues 
in commending Bill Hawkins on his numerous achievements and wishing him 
well as he begins a new journey.
  Congratulations, Bill.

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