[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]

 
                    RETIREMENT OF SENATOR DON RIEGLE

  MS. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, I want to take this opportunity to 
pay tribute to may good friend, Senator Don Riegle, the distinguished 
chairman of the Banking Committee. He has been a leader in the areas of 
banking, housing, consumer affairs, economic development, health care 
and child immunization, trade issues, and U.S. competitiveness. He has 
been a leader for his constituents in Michigan, as well a leader for 
the entire Nation. He has been a voice for those who are all too often 
left behind or left out of the process.
  While I have not had the pleasure to work with Don Riegle as many of 
my colleagues, I have found him to be a caring and effective 
legislator. When I came to the U.S. Senate,I had the good fortune of 
becoming a member of the Banking Committee, and I have learned so much 
under his outstanding leadership. He has been kind and helpful tome 
from the start.
  As I said on the day he announced his resignation, Senator Riegle 
took me under his wing when I came to the Senate. When people asked how 
I was received here, I often reflect on my first meeting with him. We 
discussed the equal opportunity issues we both care so deeply about--
how poor people are treated in the financial system and the limited 
access that women and minority business owners have to capital. He 
said, ``We're going to work together. I'd love to have you on my 
committee.''
  Since that meeting, I am proud to say that he has been true to his 
word in every way. He has been effective in assign legislation, and in 
addressing issues that protect consumers, that help to ensure fairness, 
that, in effect, help the ``little guy''.
  When I approached Chairman Riegle with the idea of establishing a 
National Commission on Financial Services, he was a champion. He helped 
to shepard this bill through the committee as part of the interstate 
banking bill. This commission would assess the strengths and weaknesses 
of our financial system, and the public policies that affect that 
system. Importantly, the Commission's review would be from the 
perspective of the suers of our financial system, and our economy 
generally, rather than from the perspective of only the current 
providers of financial services.
  I also want to commend his leadership on the Community Development 
Banking and Financial Institutions Act. This legislation created the 
Community Development Financial Institutions fund to promote the 
formation and expansion of community development funds. As we have seen 
with the South Shore Bank in Chicago, effective revitalization of our 
urban neighborhoods will only happen when community partnerships are 
formed among banks, States, local governments and community 
organizations.
  Mr. President, I could continue to list his accomplishments in the 
areas of banking, securities, consumer protection, affordable housing 
and trade issues. It is clear that the Senate is losing a powerful 
voice on these issues.
  Because of his dedication to these matters, I know his decision not 
to seek reelection was not an easy one. His decision to put his family 
first--to spend more time with his wife and two young daughters is one 
that I greatly admire. As a mother of a teenage son, I know the pain of 
missing important events in our loved ones lives.
  I am happy for his family; I am sad for his constituents in Michigan, 
this body and the entire country. He will be missed.

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