[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 139 (Wednesday, October 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO CLIFF BARBER

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 8, 1997

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make our colleagues aware 
that one of my distinguished constituents will be celebrating his 80th 
birthday this coming weekend.
  Clifford Barber of the town of Montgomery, NY, has earned renown in 
our community as one of the most prominent and respected attorneys in 
Orange County. In his capacity as a counselor as well as a local judge 
in the town of Montgomery, Cliff became known as the embodiment of 
integrity and dedication.
  In 1977, Cliff Barber became the Republican County chairman of Orange 
County. In that role, Cliff personified fairness and even-handedness in 
keeping the Republican Party synonymous with good government. An early 
and enthusiastic supporter of Governor Ronald Reagan for President, the 
people of my congressional district elected Cliff as a delegate to the 
Republican National Convention in Detroit in 1980.
  Soon after President Reagan took office, he appointed Cliff as 
Superintendent of the U.S. Mint at West Point. The newest of our 
Nation's Mints, West Point was considered a stepchild in many ways. 
Under Cliff's leadership, the West Point Mint assumed the 
responsibility for most of our commemorative coins, which as we all 
know has earned a great deal of revenue for the Federal Government 
without burdening the taxpayers. West Point also continued to produce 
the bulk of our one cent pieces.
  It was during his tenure as Superintendent of the Mint that Cliff 
became known as the champion of the rights of our Federal employees. He 
never hesitated to make certain that the health, safety and well-being 
of the employees at the Mint were never forgotten, and when Cliff 
retired in 1989 he was genuinely beloved by all who worked under him.
  Cliff Barber's retirement from the West Point Mint freed him to 
resume his political activities in Orange County. Despite the 8-year 
hiatus, Cliff was re-elected Republican chairman in 1989, and served 
until 1995. His second tenure as party chairman was even more noted 
than his first, and he retired as the grand old man of the Grand Old 
Party.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with his wife Jane, his children, 
his family, and his many loved ones in coming together to wish Cliff 
the best on this milestone occasion, and our sincerest wishes that 
Cliff's coming years will be as eventful, productive, and healthy as 
the first 80 have been.

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