[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 17, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN TOM BLILEY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                    HON. F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, JR.

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2000

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our 
distinguished colleague, the Chairman of the Commerce Committee, the 
gentleman from Virginia, Representative Tom Bliley. Tom Bliley has 
served his constituents in Virginia for over 30 years, both on the 
local and national levels. His dedication to public service has taken 
him from the Richmond City Council, to the position of Mayor of 
Richmond, and then to this House where he has risen to chair this 
body's oldest committee.
  Throughout his legislative career, Tom Bliley has accumulated a list 
of accomplishments most of us can barely imagine. For the last six 
years, he has led one of the most successful, efficient, and 
constructive committees in Congress. He oversaw passage of the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996, which brought fairness, competition, 
and increased consumer choice to the industry. He led the charge to 
override President Clinton's veto of the Contract with America, at the 
same time overhauling and reforming the nation's securities laws. 
Finally, Tom Bliley led the effort needed to pass the Mammography 
Standard Act of 1998, life-saving legislation that will ensure the 
quality of many women's lives for years to come.
  These are only a few of the legislative accomplishments we attribute 
to our colleague from Virginia. They illustrate his commitment to sound 
fiscal principles, a balanced budget, increased opportunities for 
individuals and small business owners, and common sense government. 
More importantly, they are among the reasons that Tom Bliley's 
constituents know that they can count on him to look after their best 
interests.
  I know I join Tom Bliley's many friends in Virginia's Seventh 
Congressional District, as well as his many friends and colleagues here 
in the House, in wishing him the best in the years to come. He has 
served us well, and we will all miss the dedication and leadership he 
brought to his work.

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