Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I wanted to take a few moments today to commemorate the life of Robert Donovan, President of ABB Incorporated, who so tragically perished with Commerce Secretary Ron Brown in Croatia.

Over the past few weeks, the Nation has come together in an outpouring of support and remembrance for the life of Commerce Secretary Ron Brown.

And deservedly so. Ron Brown was a great American who faithfully, and with quiet dignity, served his country and his party.

But, we must not forget those in our own community who were taken away from us on that wind-swept mountain in Croatia.

Robert Donovan, as well as all the others who were killed, deserve our special praise and commemoration because they died while on a humanitarian mission of mercy.

Robert Donovan didn't have to travel to the Balkans. He certainly could have stayed in Connecticut. But, Robert Donovan believed, as did everyone else on that plane, that in the global economy of the 21st century, Americans have a need and a responsibility to reach beyond their borders.

And, what's more, he believed the business community had a solemn obligation to do all it could to help those nations that are in the midst of the difficult process of rebuilding and reconciliation.

Some may cynically suggest that Robert Donovan and the other business leaders who traveled to Croatia were interested only in a financial bottom line. But one doesn't journey to Bosnia to make money.

Robert Donovan went to the Balkans because he believed that the dynamism of American business could help bring lasting peace to regions that for years knew only violence and hatred.

And he believed that his efforts could make a real difference in healing the lingering anguish of ethnic violence.

This spirit of altruism was evident in everything that Robert Donovan did.

At a time when pundits and politicians alike have made corporate CEO's Public Enemy No. 1, Robert Donovan proved the stereotype wrong. He was a man who remained strongly committed and loyal to his workers and his company.

He was as comfortable dealing with ABB employees, either in the workplace or running in the neighborhoods around this plant as he was dealing with international wheelers and dealers.

And his generosity spread beyond the workplace. He took an active, personal interest in helping out at the 1995 Special Olympics World Games in New Haven.

But, Robert Donovan was a man who didn't hesitate from taking on difficult tasks and that was never more obvious than on his last mission to the Balkans.

And, while I know this is a difficult time for Robert Donovan's friends, family and colleagues, it is important to remember that last mission and all the tireless work that he did on behalf of ABB, his family, and his country. It's that enduring legacy that we must all remember in this time of tragedy.

My thoughts and prayers remain with his wife Margaret, and his children Kevin and Kara.

CLAUDIO ELIA

Mr. President, I also wanted to take a few moments to remember another Connecticut resident who tragically perished with Commerce Secretary Brown in Croatia--Claudio Elia, of Greenwich, CT, who was chairman and CEO of Air & Water Technologies Corp.

Like Ron Brown and all the others who died in Croatia, Claudio Elia was on a solemn mission of mercy and he deserves particular recognition from this body.

Claudio Elia came to this country from Italy and took advantage of the vast economic opportunities available to all Americans. He started his business career in 1968 at the Boston Consulting Group and from there he quickly worked his way up the corporate ladder.

In fact, Elia's value at Air & Water Technologies was so significant that it took three top executives to replace him.

But, as Claudio Elia reveled in the economic opportunities that he received in his country, he traveled to Bosnia so that others would realize the same opportunities.

Claudio Elia didn't have to travel to the Balkans. There are excellent business opportunities elsewhere. But, Claudio Elia recognized that in the global economy of the 21st century, Americans must often look beyond its borders for new possibilities.

One of Claudio Elia's former classmates said at his funeral that: `His presence on that flight was vintage Claudio. He was constantly pushing the envelope, looking for new opportunities and business relationships.'

And those words were most true on the final mission of his life to the former Yugoslavia. He believed that American businessmen have an obligation to play a role in helping nations that are on the difficult journey toward peace.

There are those who have cynically insinuated that Claudio Elia and the other business leaders who traveled to Croatia were interested more in their financial bottom line then the well-being of the Bosnian people. Well, as I said before, one doesn't journey to Bosnia to make money.

I believe that Claudio Elia and everyone else on that flight ventured to the Balkans because they shared the vision of Ron Brown.

They believed that through the machinations of the free market they could make a real difference in the lives of the Bosnian, Serb, and Croatian people. They understood that even though peace had been achieved, the chance for a real and lasting peace would depend on all peoples having the same opportunity for a brighter future.

Claudio Elia took with him to the Balkers who unquenchable spirit of American optimism and idealism that has infused our Nation for 220 years.

That spirit was as evident when he was in the boardroom or on an overseas mission, as it was when he was sailing his yacht in the Long Island Sound or dealing with his employees in the same manner he dealt with everyone else.

Claudio Elia was a man who didn't hesitate from taking on difficult tasks and that was never more obvious than on his last mission to the Balkans.

And, while I know this is a difficult time for Claudio Elia's friends, family and colleagues, it is important to remember that last mission and all the tireless work that he did on behalf of his family, and his country.

My thoughts and prayers remain with his wife Susan and his children Christine and Marc.

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