[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 51 (Monday, March 31, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S4556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    HONORING THE LIFE OF PHIL KAUBLE

 Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of a 
fellow Hoosier, Phil Kauble, who passed away on March 24, 2003.
  Phil Kauble worked and lived in Kokomo, IN. He was the kind of man 
who helped to define that hard-working community. Phil was first a 
steelworker, and later in life a dedicated crusader for pension reform.
  Those of us who knew Phil were inspired by his commitment to the 
cause of pension reform. After his career as a steelworker, Phil became 
dedicated to protecting retired steelworkers by fighting to correct a 
discrepancy in the pension laws that had hurt him and others when 
Continental Steel closed its Kokomo mill in the 1980s.
  Phil was tireless in his work to correct this problem. For over 20 
years he displayed an unwaivering commitment to help his fellow retired 
steelworkers and his community by making the pension system fairer. One 
of the many consequences of his determination is legislation I have 
authored to require improved notification procedures by the Pension 
Benefit Guaranty Corporation, PBGC, a Federal agency that oversees the 
maintenance of benefit pension plans, fondly referred to as ``Phil's 
Bill.''
  Phil never gave up the fight. All who knew him were very proud of his 
many contributions. Phil always believed in the promise of America and 
the difference one man can make. He truly made a difference. Later 
today, I will be reintroducing ``Phil's Bill.'' I know that he would 
insist that we push on. That is what we intend to do.
  Phil Kauble showed us that one person can make a difference. His own 
life experience led to an extraordinary commitment to correct a serious 
gap in the pension system and to help his fellow citizens. His tenacity 
and idealism will be missed.
  When we reflect upon the lives of men such as Phil Kauble, we are 
reminded that we live in a country where the true power to shape the 
destiny of government is vested in the people. We will all miss Phil 
deeply, but his memory will serve as a beacon and his life as an 
example of the virtues of civic involvement.

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