[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 147 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     ON THE RETIREMENT OF BILL GRADISON FROM THE HEALTH INSURANCE 
                         ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 1998

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our former 
colleague Bill Gradison, who served the constituents of Ohio's Second 
District in exemplary fashion for eighteen years until his retirement 
on January 31, 1993 when he was named President of the Health Insurance 
Association of America (HIAA). As many of my colleagues know, at the 
end of this year, Bill will be stepping down from his presidency at 
HIAA.
  During the time Bill represented the citizens of Ohio's Second 
District in the House, he was influential in many important areas, such 
as strengthening our health care system, helping steer us toward a 
balanced budget, promoting a reduction in the tax burden working 
Americans face every day, building a lasting social security program, 
and increasing trade opportunities for our businesses.
  In his life after Congress, Bill remained dedicated to his work on 
providing high quality, affordable health care coverage. Mr. Speaker, 
today I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating Bill on his 
years of hard work and dedicated service to the Congress and to the 
HIAA, and wishing him all the best in his future endeavors, wherever 
they may lead him. I know we will continue to benefit from his 
contributions to our deliberations on the best ways to improve our 
health care system for many years to come.

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