[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 166 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF GARY A. BELLER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 17, 2003

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Gary A. 
Beller of New York, in recognition of his retirement from an 
extraordinarily accomplished and distinguished career of over thirty 
years in the corporate legal profession.
  The practice of law is itself a worthy pursuit. It is an 
accomplishment to do outstanding work for outstanding companies, as Mr. 
Beller has done for two venerable giants of the financial services 
industry--American Express early in his career and more recently 
MetLife. But what I have learned is that the preeminent characteristic 
of the career of Gary Beller is his devotion to best practices and 
legal excellence; setting the standard for highly ethical and skilled 
legal work and consistently exceeding that standard out of sheer 
energy, talent, and sense of responsibility.
  As 2003 draws to a close, Gary Beller retires from his position as 
senior executive vice president and general counsel for MetLife. Mr. 
Beller joined MetLife in November 1994 and has since overseen the 
company's extensive legal affairs group as well as the mergers and 
acquisitions department. One of the notable accomplishments of his 
tenure at MetLife was his contribution to bringing the company public 
in 2003 from its previous status as a mutual company. MetLife became 
one of the most widely held public stocks as result of the successful 
completion of the transaction.
  This is the kind of high quality work that has made Gary Beller well 
known and respected professionally. To those who know him and work with 
him, Mr. Beller personifies the best of the corporate legal profession. 
The perfect example is his chairmanship of the Insurance Marketplace 
Standards Association, an organization devoted to establishing the best 
in ethical market conduct for the insurance industry.
  In addition to his professional success, Mr. Beller has also been a 
leader in his community. He served as Chairman of the Board of 
Directors of the Citizens Crime Commission of New York for 10 years and 
remains a Vice Chairman today. He is also a member of the Board of 
Directors of Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, one of New York City's 
renowned social service agencies.
  In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring the dedication and service of Gary 
Beller as he retires from MetLife. He is a role model of civic 
involvement, corporate loyalty and professionalism, and service to the 
legal profession. He deserves our congratulations and well wishes as he 
begins his retirement.

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