[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DENISE BODE

  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, the great success of our Nation is rooted 
in the labors of millions of Americans who work every day to make 
America a better place. I'd like to take a moment to recognize one such 
American--a fellow Oklahoman, Denise Bode, who has dedicated most of 
her adult life to making our Nation a better place through her work in 
the public and private sector. Soon she will begin a new chapter of 
service to the people of Oklahoma. For this reason, I am very proud to 
take this opportunity to recognize her contributions over the past 
several years.
  Denise Bode became involved in Government right after she graduated 
from the University of Oklahoma, serving as an adviser to my former 
Senate colleague David Boren who was the Governor of Oklahoma. When 
David Boren was elected to the Senate, Denise became a member of his 
U.S. Senate staff and developed an expertise in energy and tax 
policies. Even though she was working full time, she somehow found time 
to take courses at night and earn both a law degree and a masters of 
law in taxation, and devote time to her son Sean as well as be a 
helpmate to her husband John Bode, who was an Assistant Secretary of 
Agriculture in the Reagan Administration.
  For the past 6 years she has served as president of the Independent 
Petroleum Association of America, an organization founded in 1929 in 
Oklahoma and which today is the Nation's largest membership association 
representing America's oil and natural gas producers. She was the first 
and so far the only woman to head a major energy trade association.
  All of us who have worked with Denise over the years in Washington, 
regardless of party affiliation, whether in the public or private 
sector, know her to be a tireless advocate for Oklahoma and always 
looking out for the best interest of our Nation. She is the type of 
person who will fight tirelessly for what she believes in. In the 
process, she has made a difference.
  She returns to Oklahoma next month to serve, at the request of 
Governor Frank Keating, on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which 
oversees both the interest of the consumers in the State and key 
industries. Ask Denise why she's going back to her native State and 
she'll say it's because she wants to make a difference; she wants to 
make Oklahoma an even better place.
  We in Washington often talk about devolution, giving more power and 
responsibility to the States. I certainly believe that is the proper 
course of action. Knowing that Denise and other extremely capable 
people are leading the way in the States gives me added confidence in 
this policy. And once again, Denise is going where her beliefs lead 
her.
  I wish her well in this endeavor and feel very confident that she 
will give to this new position the same dedication and commitment she's 
given throughout her years of public service.

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