[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2198]
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. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2006

  Mr. GILLMOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mike Oxley, a man 
who will be greatly missed in this House. Not only does he have more 
friends in this chamber than nearly anyone else, he has compiled one of 
the most distinguished legislative records in this body.
  I have had the privilege of knowing Mike for more than thirty years 
going back to when we served together in the Ohio Legislature and he 
has been a good friend to have over that entire period of time.
  In Congress, Mike has not only been involved in the issues of the 
day, he has been a good athlete and has led his colleagues in pursuing 
healthful activities. He was Chairman of the Gym Committee. In College, 
we used to think that anyone who became a three letter man was 
something special. Mike has been a three letter man here and much more. 
He was the manager of the Republican Congressional Baseball, Basketball 
and Golf teams and compiled a great record of victories.
  His record of legislative accomplishments is a long one. With a great 
ability to reach across the aisle, Mike Oxley helped calm the financial 
markets during a period of great turmoil. Sarbanes-Oxley was the most 
sweeping reform to our securities laws in 70 years and helped bring an 
era of corporate scandal to an end. Other successes during Mike's 
tenure at the helm of the Financial Services Committee include deposit 
insurance reform, regulatory relief for banks and thrifts, tireless 
work on reforms for the government sponsored enterprises, and 
tremendous work on providing opportunities for increased homeownership.
  As Mike Oxley leaves to enter another phase of his life, we wish both 
he and his wonderful wife Pat the very best.

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