[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1873]]
                         TRIBUTE TO JOHN PEPPER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 1998

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a 
leader in the Cincinnati community, Mr. John Pepper, who has recently 
announced his decision to step down as the Chief Executive Officer of 
the Procter & Gamble Company at year-end.
  Under Mr. Pepper's leadership, Procter & Gamble has introduced 
exciting new products, moved into new markets overseas, and established 
a strong strategic plan for continued sales growth that will benefit 
the people of Southwest Ohio.
  While he is highly regarded in business circles for his outstanding 
work at the helm of Procter & Gamble, his contributions to the Greater 
Cincinnati community, our state and our nation go well beyond his 
business successes. For years, he has devoted an enormous amount of his 
personal time and energy to improving the quality of life for all 
Americans.
  Education has been his passion: he is a founder of an innovative 
youth development program called the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, 
through which he has touched the lives of many thousands of young 
people in our area. He has led the effort to get businesses directly 
involved in improving public education, both in Ohio and nationwide, 
through the National Education Summit, the Business Roundtable, The 
Governor's Education Management Council and various other state and 
federal efforts.
  John Pepper has also shown his commitment to service through over 30 
years of volunteering for the Cincinnati United Way and Community 
Chest. In 1994, he chaired the most successful United Way Campaign ever 
in Greater Cincinnati.
  I have had the opportunity to know John Pepper both in my official 
capacity and through our mutual involvement with the Coalition for a 
Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati and the National Underground Railroad 
Freedom Center. In both efforts he was a founding trustee whose 
credibility and guidance was crucial to the success of the organization 
and its mission. Time and time again he has proven himself to be a 
business leader willing to give generously of his time and energy to 
help others.
  While John Pepper's leadership as CEO of Procter & Gamble will be 
missed, I know many of us look forward to continuing to work with him 
on projects to make a difference in our community.

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