[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE MICHAEL G. OXLEY UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE 
                     U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DAVID L. HOBSON

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2006

  Mr. HOBSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
paying tribute to our friend and colleague, Congressman Mike Oxley.
  When I was first elected to Congress, I really didn't know Mike, but 
I had heard about his prowess on the basketball court and on the golf 
course. But, one of the things that I have come to appreciate over the 
years has been the depth of knowledge and experience he has in the 
business and financial services sector. It is because of this that Mike 
has earned the respect of financial leaders in the United States and 
worldwide.
  Mike is leaving us with a legacy that includes his work on the 
landmark Sarbanes-Oxley bill to bring more accountability and 
responsibility to the corporate world. In the weeks following the 9/11 
attacks, he led the swift response to target terrorist financing by 
working to pass a new money laundering statute.
  I think it's also important to mention that Mike's leadership in 
shaping policy over the years has reached beyond the corporate world. 
He has also made a significant difference in promoting personal savings 
and investments at the individual level.
  Prior to redistricting, I used to represent two counties that are now 
in Mike's district. While I was disappointed to lose Champaign and 
Logan Counties, it has given us an opportunity to work together on 
issues important to communities in those counties. We also worked 
together during the most recent Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 
round on behalf of the Ohio National Guard bases located in Mansfield 
and Springfield.
  Mike and I have also had some fun over the years. In a previous 
campaign, he has been kidding me about my campaign radio ads. He says 
they made him gag because they were a bit too warm and fuzzy for his 
taste, but I tell him that they worked because he remembered them 
verbatim.
  But seriously, we are going to miss Mike as a friend and as a leader 
on business and financial issues. He and his team, including his Chief 
of Staff Jim Conzelman, and his long-time scheduler, Debbi Deimling, 
will also be greatly missed.
  Mike, I wish you and your wife, Pat, and Elvis all of the best as you 
begin this new chapter in your lives. And maybe someday, I will be good 
enough to play golf with you.

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