[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 17916] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO LOUISE L. FRANCESCONI ON HER RETIREMENT ______ HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS of arizona in the house of representatives Thursday, July 31, 2008 Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and great respect to Louise L. Francesconi, as she retires after 33 years of service to our great Nation as the President of Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona. Ms. Francesconi is retiring from this position after leading the world's largest missile company, with sales of $5B and nearly 13,000 employees, which for years has helped guarantee our Nation's security and interests worldwide. Her systems have been employed to protect the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines around the world. Louise began her remarkable career in 1975 in Canoga Park, CA, as a financial analyst with Hughes Missile Systems Company. In fact, she comes from a family of ``missileers.'' Louise credits her father, Leo Langlois, an engineer with Hughes, for getting her into the business right after her graduation from Scripps College in Claremont, CA. After joining Hughes, Louise began her meteoric rise through the company. Louise quickly became known and had the well-deserved reputation of being able to not only structure a win-win business deal, but also help the organization think through complex issues and challenges. In 1993 and the years that followed, she became Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President of Hughes Missile Systems Company and eventually, after the Hughes merger with Raytheon, President of Raytheon Missile Systems. Throughout her career, Louise has been known as an inspiring mentor, teacher and role model to all. Her mastery of business strategy enabled the Missile Company to grow over 100 percent in sales over the last 6 years rising to become southern Arizona's number one employer. Louise's dedication to the U.S. warfighter and our allies and friends around the world is legendary. From the Tomahawk Cruise Missile to the complex Missile Defense Systems that guard our homeland, she has provided for the collective defense of this great Nation. Grounded by her strong love of family, to include her husband John, their children, her parents, in-laws and brother and sister, she has continued to provide strength and inspiration to her Raytheon family. Her long-lasting legacy will be her dedication to the people of Raytheon and her strong core values of inclusiveness, personal and professional ethics and leadership excellence. I join with my colleagues on behalf of all the freedom loving people around the world to offer our heartfelt congratulations and thanks to a true American patriot. Louise has earned our respect and admiration as a champion for freedom and a role model for all. ____________________