[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 198 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF WALTER B. KIRKWOOD

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. LEACH

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 12, 1995

  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to salute on the true 
professionals who has represented his employers' interests before 
Congress for almost four decades. At the end of this month, Walter B. 
Kirkwood will be retiring after 37 years of service in the banking 
industry. During this period, Walter has always conducted himself in a 
way that does credit to his employers and also reflects a broader 
concern for the public interest.
  Many of us came to know Walter's work and appreciate his low-key 
style over the many years that represented Banc One Corp. of Columbus, 
OH, as vice president, government affairs, and earlier while he was 
governmental affairs representative for American Fletcher National Bank 
in Indianapolis prior to its acquisition by Bank One Corp. Most 
recently, Walter has been ably representing Bank One Indiana Corp., the 
successor to American Fletcher in Indianapolis.
  Walter has made many contributions to the furtherance of constructive 
banking legislation. Among his most signal efforts was his active 
involvement during 1993-94 in the interstate banking and branching 
bill, while his boss, John B. McCoy, chairman of Banc One Corp., was 
serving as chairman of an industry task force on the legislation. 
Walter also worked successfully on key parts of the Federal Deposit 
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 and several important 
provisions of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and 
Enforcement Act of 1989, to mention two other occasions when Walter's 
knowledge and ability came into play to produce outcomes which had the 
effect of modernizing America's financial services industry.
  The fact that Walter combines the best attributes of a vigorous 
advocate representing his company's and his industry's interests, 
coupled with a keen concern for the public interest, is attested to by 
the fact that he has been widely honored by his peers. Walter served as 
chairman of the Government Relations Committee of the former 
Association of Bank Holding Companies as well as chairman of the 
Legislative Liaison Advisory Committee [LLAC] of the American Bankers 
Association, a position he currently holds.
  On behalf of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, I would 
like to thank Walter for his thoughtful advice over the years and look 
forward in keeping in touch.

                          ____________________