[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 17, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S9511]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RETIREMENT OF RONNIE ABRAMS

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a great friend and a 
great Kentuckian. This month, Ronnie Abrams will retire from Coopers & 
Lybrand L.L.P. after 40 years of dedicated service. I first met Ronnie 
and his wife Marie when I was Governor of Kentucky. Since then, I've 
not only had the pleasure of working with him on many Kentucky 
projects, but I've also come to count on his advice and counsel over 
the years.
  Ronnie has made many contributions to his hometown of Louisville 
through his work with a wide range of groups including Adath Israel 
B'Rith Sholom, the Jewish Community Federation, Metro United Way, and 
the Louisville Chamber of Commerce. In each of these organizations, 
Ronnie has served in leadership positions and devoted countless hours 
of volunteer service. In recognition of his efforts to make the 
community a better place for everyone, the B'nai Brith honored him with 
the 1992 Person of the Year Award.
  Ronnie has also been an active member of his profession through the 
American Institute of CPA's tax division, the Louisville Chamber of 
Commerce's State tax committee, the Estate Planning Council of 
Louisville, and as chairman of the Kentucky Society of CPA's State 
taxation committee.
  Beyond his community and professional activities, Ronnie has been an 
invaluable advisor to many political leaders, myself included. He has 
shared his expertise in tax matters with policy makers at the State, 
local, and Federal level, providing both is expertise and old-fashioned 
commonsense.
  During his four decades and Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Ronnie has 
provided solutions on tax planning and compliance matters to a large 
clientele in the manufacturing, retail, financial service, and health 
care sectors. He began his career with the firm in 1957 after 
graduating from Vanderbilt University and the University of Louisville. 
A partner since 1971, he retires as the tax market leader for Kentucky.
  Mr. President, I hope all my colleagues will join me in thanking 
Ronnie for his hard work over the years, wishing him and his family the 
best of luck in the future. I know that no matter what he chooses to 
do, he will continue to excel and to be an asset to the community.

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