[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         TRIBUTE TO DON RIEGLE

  Mr. SASSER. Mr. President, I rise today to compliment my friend and 
colleague, Senator Don Riegle. It was about a year ago this time that 
Senator Riegle first announced his retirement. I have wished many times 
since that he would change his mind.
  There is not enough I can say about Senator Riegle. As chairman of 
the Senate Banking Committee, Senator Riegle has an unparallel record 
of legislative accomplishments.
  Under his leadership, Congress passed the toughest financial reform 
bill in 50 years, the Financial Institutions Recovery, Reform and 
Enforcement Act.
  Also during his tenure, Congress passed the Federal Deposit Insurance 
Corporation Improvement Act which brought important improvements to the 
way banks are run and regulated, as well as to preserve the ability of 
the FDIC to protect depositors. This year alone, we have seen enacted 
into law the Riegle Community Development and Financial Institutions 
Act and the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Act.
  Senator Riegle has always been a champion of the working people of 
both his home State of Michigan and the Nation. In particular, I 
remember our fight during the last recession to extend the unemployment 
insurance to help the many families in desperate need. Side by side, 
time and time again, we supported one another to ensure that the hard 
working people across the country were not forgotten. In his next 
pursuits I know he will continue to be a tireless advocate for the 
forgotten working men and women of America.
  Senator Riegle always attacked these sometimes difficult issues in a 
bipartisan manner. He worked with Senators from both sides of the aisle 
to garner overwhelming support to pass crucial legislation. He is an 
excellent model of cooperative leadership--leadership that gets things 
done. And this is evident by the significant number of bills that are 
now law because of his vigorous efforts.
  The Senate will miss him. Don Riegle has been an outstanding leader 
and public servant to the people of Michigan and to the Nation, as well 
as a good friend and colleague to me. I know Don will take the same 
vigor and commitment that he has displayed for over 30 years in the 
House and the Senate to his next endeavors and most importantly, to his 
young family. I wish him the very best in the years to come.

                          ____________________