Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the Passing of Dr. Charles M. Vest

(Washington, DC) – Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) released the following statement after hearing of the passing of Dr. Charles M. Vest.

“I was deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Charles M. Vest’s passing. He was a great friend to this Committee and I am grateful for the wisdom and guidance he provided as a witness on a number of issues. His contributions to science and engineering and U.S. innovation policy are innumerable.  He served as a professor and a dean of engineering; became president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); served as director of DuPont and IBM; was vice chair of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness; served on multiple federal committees and commissions; served on the boards of several non-profit organizations; served as President of the National Academy of engineering; and has been awarded eighteen honorary doctoral degrees, a National Medal of Technology, and a Vannevar Bush Award.  He will surely be missed and his insight will be irreplaceable. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”