[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 405 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 405

Commending Michigan State University President Peter McPherson for his 
    service to his country and his significant contribution to the 
                   financial reconstruction of Iraq.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 17, 2003

  Mr. Hoekstra (for himself, Mr. Rogers of Michigan, Mr. Dingell, Mr. 
 Upton, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Camp, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Ehlers, Mr. Levin, Mr. 
  Knollenberg, Mr. Stupak, Mr. McCotter, and Mrs. Miller of Michigan) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                     on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Commending Michigan State University President Peter McPherson for his 
    service to his country and his significant contribution to the 
                   financial reconstruction of Iraq.

Whereas Peter McPherson's long career includes public service as Deputy 
        Secretary of the Treasury, and Administrator, Agency for International 
        Development, in addition to service in the private sector as executive 
        vice president of Bank of America;
Whereas in 1993 Peter McPherson was named the 19th president of Michigan State 
        University, and he continues to serve in that position today;
Whereas because of his significant experience in international finance and his 
        personal commitment to humanitarian service, Peter McPherson was asked 
        by the Bush Administration to aid in the financial reconstruction of 
        Iraq and, on April 25, 2003, was granted an unpaid leave of absence from 
        Michigan State University by its Board of Trustees;
Whereas Peter McPherson spent 160 days in Iraq, serving as financial coordinator 
        for the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance and 
        spearheading the United States' effort to restructure and mobilize the 
        Iraqi economy;
Whereas Peter McPherson, as financial coordinator, worked closely with Iraqis in 
        rebuilding the Ministry of Finance and the Iraqi banking system and in 
        establishing the Central Bank of Iraq;
Whereas Peter McPherson and the 20-person United States economic team effected 
        policies to stabilize and bolster the Iraqi currency after the 
        deposition of the Hussein regime, preventing a collapse of the Iraqi 
        economy, and as a result, a new Iraqi currency began to circulate on 
        October 15, 2003;
Whereas Peter McPherson provided the Iraqi Governing Council with sound advice 
        on all aspects of financial governance, including tax policy, investment 
        rules, and tariffs; and
Whereas Peter McPherson, having completed his objectives in Iraq, returned home 
        and resumed his duties as the president of Michigan State University on 
        October 1, 2003: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) thanks the Michigan State University Board of Trustees 
        and the university community for allowing their president to 
        temporarily set aside his commitment to the university in order 
        to perform his patriotic duty by serving the Iraqi people and 
        the United States of America;
            (2) expresses its appreciation of Peter McPherson for his 
        significant contribution to the financial reconstruction of 
        Iraq; and
            (3) commends Peter McPherson on his long and successful 
        career in public service.
                                 <all>