[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO RICHARD LESHER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NEWT GINGRICH

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Richard 
Lesher has been a singular voice for America's economic interests for 
more than 20 years. He is stepping down at the end of the summer. The 
Nation's political debate has been significantly changed--for the 
better--through his singular input and perseverance.
  Dick Lesher was one of the earliest and strongest supporters of 
Ronald Reagan's 1980 supply-side program, which cut taxes across the 
board and initiated the largest peacetime economic expansion in 
history. This was a bold gesture and a perfect example of the kind of 
vision and leadership that we have come to expect from him.
  And it is fitting that Dick now leaves the chamber as Congress 
produces and the President is about to sign the first broad-based tax 
cuts in 16 years--since, in fact, Ronald Reagan's first term.
  Dick Lesher has been instrumental in developing and implementing the 
Chamber's grassroots action information [GAIN], a service that has led 
to more effective legislative action through greater participation by 
the membership. In addition, he guided the chamber's launching of 
BizNet, the American Business Network, which features two award-winning 
television programs--``First Business'' and ``It's Your Business.'' Dr. 
Lesher's newspaper column, The Voice of Business, is distributed weekly 
to more than 600 newspapers across the Nation.
  After more than 20 years of Dick Lesher's leadership, the chamber's 
membership has grown to 215,000 members, 3,000 State and local chambers 
of commerce and 1,200 trade and professional associations. Membership 
also includes 72 American chambers of commerce abroad in 65 countries. 
Programmatic achievements in this remarkable tenure include the Center 
for Workforce preparation and the Quality Learning Services, which 
delivers quality management seminars throughout the country.
  Other significant highlights include:
  The creation of one of the most advanced and effective communications 
networks of any business organization with television facilities 
producing daily and weekly syndicated business programming, satellite 
training seminars and televised town-hall meetings;
  The creation of an extensive political program including How They 
Voted--the principal ranking of the pro-business votes of Members of 
Congress, a comprehensive endorsement process based on the rankings;
  The chartering of the National Chamber Litigation Center, a public 
policy legal arm, that widely represents business interests in the 
Federal courts with great success.
  Dr. Richard Lesher's reputation as a legitimate groundbreaker 
actually began with his tenure at NASA where as an assistant 
administrator he contributed to the first Moon landing.
  On a personal note, over the last two decades--and particularly the 
last couple of years as a member of the majority--it's been a true 
honor to have had the opportunity to work with Dick Lesher and gain 
from his insight and experience. He has been a good ally, a good friend 
and a great American. I know I speak for many Members in sincerely 
wishing him well in his future endeavors.

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