[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        TRIBUTE TO DOUG BARNARD

                                 ______


                            HON. DON JOHNSON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 1994

  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
former colleague of ours, Doug Barnard, and his lovely wife, Nopi, who 
passed away only weeks ago. Doug represented the 10th District of 
Georgia for 16 years. His record of service and dedication to the 
people of eastern and central Georgia has certainly set a high standard 
for me.
  Doug Barnard served on the House Banking Committee and the Government 
Operations Committee, ultimately chairing the Commerce, Consumer and 
Monetary Affairs Subcommittee. From his position on these two 
committees, he was a pivotal player for over a decade in shaping 
banking policy. Doug was responsible for legislation to eliminate 
artificial caps on interest rates paid on consumer bank accounts and to 
pay interest on checking accounts. He rewrote legal standards for real 
estate appraisals that will protect financial institutions from future 
losses such as we witnessed in the savings and loan failures in the 
1980's. And he introduced the first legislation to modernize the 1930's 
Glass-Steagall Act thereby enabling banks to offer a full range of 
services to their customers.
  In 1982, Doug passed into law legislation for the minting of a 
50 cents coin to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of George 
Washington. This law represented the first time in modern history that 
profits from such a coin went to the Treasury rather than a private 
organization. The George Washington half dollar raised $80 million that 
were dedicated to deficit reduction. I tell you, there are a lot of 
people in Congress today who would jump at the opportunity to save $80 
million.
  Doug is not a man to rest on his laurels. In his final term in 
office, he worked tirelessly to authorize a series of coins 
commemorating the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. This money will help 
support our athletes in the Atlanta Games--an event I know will fill 
everyone in Georgia with pride.
  But I don't want to leave you with the impression that Doug was only 
concerned with financial affairs. Under his chairmanship, his committee 
held hearings that led ultimately to increased safety regulations of 
all-terrain vehicles and limits on their sale to minors.
  Mr. Speaker, in my opening paragraph I said that Doug represented the 
10th District. I should have said that Doug and Nopi represented the 
10th District.
  The job of a congressional spouse is not an easy one, but it was one 
that Nopi carried off beautifully. In addition to raising children, 
paying bills, writing a regular column, and holding down a fulltime job 
at Augusta College, Nopi was often called on to stand in for Doug. I 
hear that some people preferred it that way. She gave speeches for him, 
attended receptions for him, and represented him at rallies. The 10th 
was truly blessed to have two representatives.
  As a freshman trying to uphold the legacy of Doug Barnard's service 
to the 10th District, I have found his advice and counsel to be 
invaluable. On many occasions I have picked up the telephone and given 
him a call, or stopped by to see him when I was in his hometown of 
Augusta.
  I am pleased to join his many friends and his family in celebrating 
his service and wishing him well in his life after Congress.

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