Honoring Kenneth Galbraith

House of Representatives - May 4, 2006

Mr. Speaker, America lost one of its best and brightest intellects and public servants in recent days with the death of John Kenneth Galbraith. To say that Professor Galbraith understood economics is like saying Albert Einstein was good at arithmetic. Ken Galbraith pioneered economic theories that transcended numbers, products, and nations, because he added people into the equation. He recognized and helped the whole world understand that market forces alone could not be anonymous engines of economic activity. There was more at stake--people, and more to consider--policy, in a nation's economic growth and development. If you stop and think about it, every parent has told a child at one time or another that there are consequences to their actions; John Kenneth Galbraith helped nations understand that there are consequences to economic actions. Mr. Galbraith's impact on modern economic theory can be seen in the books he authored including The Affluent Society and New Industrial State. In all, his astonishing contributions as a world-renowned economist and professor span more than five decades. But, there is so much more to his life and contributions to the American people. John Kenneth Galbraith served his country as a Presidential advisor and ambassador to India. He helped FDR implement the New Deal, serving in his administration. He also served President John F. Kennedy, among others. Mr. Galbraith walked among giants, because he too was a giant--in intellect, heart, and commitment to his country. If ever there was a single individual who embodied the positive change he wanted to see, it was John Kenneth Galbraith. I was privileged to know him in my role as President of ADA, Americans for Democratic Action. When liberal activists gathered in January 1947 at the Willard Hotel to form Americans for Democratic Action, Ken was there to inspire and to lead. He never stopped doing either.From the beginning, Professor Galbraith was ADA's guiding light--both philosophically and as a pragmatic politician. As its president, he led ADA during the Vietnam War to take a stand and become the first national organization to oppose the last fatally flawed war this country waged. His participation in ADA continued as an ADA national board member, national convention speaker and author of the pithy Galbraithian letters, some of which were private and many of which attracted members to this organization which he held so dear. I received a personal note from him just recently. John Kenneth Galbraith was that kind of person; he never stopped thinking, and feeling, and interacting, even as his own health was failing. Just a few weeks ago, as he lay bedridden, he met with an ADA board member to discuss ways to further the goals and objectives of the organization. John Kenneth Galbraith was nothing short of astonishing and his loss to us and to the world is enormous. His legacy will be sustained by the countless people he inspired, through his sons--including Jamie, who serves on ADA's national board--and through the Galbraith Fellows, who will continue to work in the public service in his memory. To say that John Kenneth Galbraith will be sorely missed is an understatement of the highest order. What I am proud to say is that I knew this great American, and this institution can honor his memory by ensuring that his voice resonates throughout America for all time.