The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE MEMORY OF JOHN EDWARD McCLURE
______
HON. DON BACON
of nebraska
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of John Edward McClure. A true pioneer in what is considered the final frontier, John led the business development team that brought the ON-
STAR automobile safety and communication system to reality. Through his vision for the practical and purposeful application of what was then an emerging technology, thousands of lives have been saved and countless motorists have been kept safe thanks to this technology.
John and his team helped exploit the nascent Internet of Things, or how machines talk to machines, to create ON STAR, one of the first communication systems to exploit this technology. ON STAR achieved its goals of providing security, enhancing productivity, and monitoring vehicle operation and maintenance for motorists.
A true entrepreneur, John started numerous companies including an asset tracking company using GPS and other satellite technologies to monitor cargo and other materials in transit. Mr. McClure's quest to constantly push the boundaries of technology led him to focus on helping youth acquire a thirst for discovery. He mentored individuals and led student groups sharing his mantra that there ``are no Can't Dos in life, only Can Dos!''
Combining his passion for aerospace and education, he introduced the NASA CubeSat initiative to a group of Nebraska middle- and high-school students. He helped pair them with undergraduate mentors from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Together the team proposed an experiment that NASA has accepted for a future mission to orbit earth. Known as the Big Red Satellite Team, this group will carry on John's mission to have this historic-first CubeSat designed and built in Nebraska. The team will test cutting edge solar cell technology.
Always looking beyond the horizon, John's ultimate goal is for the Big Red Satellite project to serve as a catalyst for the development of STEM careers and ultimately help build an aerospace industry in Nebraska. An accomplished fixed wing and hot air balloon pilot, John never stopped reaching for the stars. His words and his actions clearly communicated his primary mission: create opportunities that give kids an opportunity to succeed.
John McClure passed away September 15, 2021. I offer my condolences to his entire family. John's many achievements will continue to impact Nebraska well into the future. A future that John sought to improve by helping young students discover their abilities and believe that anything is possible. His life's work has helped people in every state of this union, and his legacy of encouraging others to make their dreams a reality will be carried on by those he inspired.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 192
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