[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 125 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO OLIVER W. WADDELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2002

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Oliver W. 
Waddell, a distinguished constituent, dear friend and an accomplished 
business leader who will receive the National Multiple Sclerosis 
Society's Silver Hope Award at the 2002 Dinner of Champions on October 
3, 2002. The Silver Hope Award is the highest honor given by the 
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Ollie is being honored for his 
dedication to ending the devastating effects of Multiple Sclerosis 
(MS).
  Ollie is from Falmouth, Kentucky, and is perhaps best known from his 
long and very successful career with Star Bank (formerly the First 
National Bank of Cincinnati), which he joined in 1957 as a management 
trainee. In 1980, he was appointed president and director, and, in 
1982, chief executive officer of Star Bank, N.A. Shortly thereafter, 
Ollie was made a director of Star Banc Corporation, the parent company 
of Star Bank, N.A. By August, 1990, Ollie was chairman, president and 
chief executive officer of Star Banc Corporation. Under his direction, 
Star Banc Corporation doubled in size, becoming a multi-state bank 
holding company with offices located in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
  Ollie was chairman, president and chief executive officer of Star 
Banc Corporation until May, 1993, when he stepped down as president and 
chief executive officer. Ollie cares deeply about his wife, Virgilee, 
and wanted to spend more time with her. Years before this decision, 
Virgilee was diagnosed with MS. Although the Waddells' battle against 
MS has been a very personal and private one, they recently made the 
decision to help others in that fight by creating the Waddell Center 
for Multiple Sclerosis through the University of Cincinnati. The Center 
will have an important role in helping to end the devastating effects 
of MS.
  Over the years, Ollie has been very active in our community. He has 
served on the board of directors for several organizations which 
include: Star Banc Corporation; Star Bank, N.A; Cincinnati Gas and 
Electric Company; Myers Y. Cooper Company; Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky 
International Airport; and Ohio National Life Insurance Company. He 
also has been active in the community as a member of the Commercial 
Club, Commonwealth Club, Optimists Club, Queen City Club and Rotary 
Club.
  Ollie is very dedicated to his family. Ollie and Virgilee have been 
married for 47 years. They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, all of us in Southwestern Ohio thank Ollie for his 
commitment to fighting MS, and we congratulate him on receiving the 
prestigious Silver Hope Award. I hope my colleagues will join me in 
wishing Ollie and Virgilee the very best as they continue to fight 
their own battle against this difficult disease.

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