[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9879]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM A. HAWKINS

 Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, today I honor and pay tribute to 
a true leader from my home state of Minnesota, William A. Hawkins. Bill 
most recently retired with distinction as the chairman and CEO of 
Medtronic, the world's leading medical technology company. He is an 
individual whose life personifies the Medtronic Mission Statement.
  The Medtronic mission, in part, states, ``To contribute to human 
welfare by application of biomedical engineering in the research, 
design, manufacture, and sale of instruments or appliances that 
alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life.''
  Not every CEO gets the privilege to lead a company that makes 
lifesaving products, but for Bill the Medtronic mission is very 
personal and is a source of encouragement for his distinguished career. 
Several members of his own family received medical technology products 
developed and manufactured by the very company he has led. In 2008 when 
he was made chairman, he recalled the personal feeling he experienced 
during an assembly for employees. Included in the audience were the 
family members who had received coronary stents, a heart valve and a 
pacemaker, and a deep brain stimulator to control tremors caused by a 
World War II injury.
  I have most especially appreciated Bill Hawkins in my role as chair 
of the Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export 
Promotion, where my focus has been creating an innovation agenda that 
can help grow our economy and create jobs in America. Bill has a true 
passion for advancing innovation to make the world healthier and has 
been a major influence on all of Medtronic's innovation-related 
policies. I could not have asked for a more inspired or committed 
partner with which to work during the last few years.
  Bill has nearly 35 years of career experience in the medical device 
industry, serving in leadership positions at Novoste Corporation, 
American Home Products, Johnson & Johnson, Guidant Corporation, and Eli 
Lilly. He began his medical technology career with Carolina Medical 
Electronics in 1977.
  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. During his decade 
of service and leadership, the company launched many important new 
technologies, made major investments in quality and innovation, and 
successfully navigated through an increasingly challenging environment. 
I have been pleased to work with Bill on health care and FDA reform and 
a host of matters that have ensured improved patient access to advanced 
medical technology.
  In March of 2010 Bill received the Biomedical Engineering Society's 
Distinguished Achievement Award. This award is given to recognize those 
who have made great contributions to the field of biomedical 
engineering/bioengineering.
  Bill 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 know that my colleagues join me, his friends, family, and 
colleagues in commending Bill Hawkins on his numerous accomplishments 
and wishing him well as he begins a new phase of his career.
  Congratulations, Bill Hawkins.

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