[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1640]]

                      TRIBUTE TO RICHARD L. LESHER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT W. NEY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 1997

  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I commend the following article to my 
colleagues.
  Dr. Richard L. Lesher, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, has 
announced that he will retire after 21 years of faithful service to the 
chamber and business communities across the country.
  Dr. Lesher began his career by receiving his doctorate in Business 
Administration from Indiana University. Then, he worked as an assistant 
professor at the Ohio State University. From 1964 to 1969, Dr. Lesher 
was an assistant administrator at NASA during a period marked by 
exceptional achievement in space exploration.
  Dr. Richard L. Lesher assumed the presidency of the U.S. Chamber of 
Commerce in 1975. Since then, he has been devoted to advancing the 
interests of the U.S. business community. He played an instrumental 
role in developing Grassroots Action Information Network [GAIN], a 
service through which influential legislation was passed due to its 
membership. Dr. Lesher then steered the chamber's launching of the 
American Business Network, or BizNet. This network featured two award-
winning television programs: ``First Business'' and ``It's Your 
Business''. Lesher is also a decorated newspaper columnist in the Voice 
of Business, which is distributed in over 600 newspapers across the 
Nation.
  Dr. Lesher's accomplishments and contributions to business 
development were rewarded when he received the Associated Trends 
Executive of the Year Award. His hard work, dedication, and 
determination lead to this monumental award.
  Dr. Richard L. Lesher's service and commitment to the business world 
are commendable, and Dr. Lesher's work is deserving of thanks and 
praise of the people of his industry. I ask my colleagues to join me 
today in thanking Dr. Lesher, and wishing him luck and success in the 
future.

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