[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 133 (Monday, September 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE DEATH 
OF THE HONORABLE PAUL E. GILLMOR, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE OF OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 5, 2007

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a 
great American and a member of this House. Paul E. Gillmor was a 
veteran, lawyer, businessman, and Member of Congress from Ohio.
  Congressman Gillmor, who died on Wednesday, September 5, 2007, was a 
respected member of this body and respected by all who knew him. He was 
actually a legislator's legislator. He was known often to put aside 
partisan politics and reach across the aisle to legislate in a 
bipartisan manner for the best interests of the American people.
  In 1961 he received a bachelor of arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan 
University. Although he was a lifelong Buckeye, Paul Gillmor received a 
law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. From 1965 to 
1996, he served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a judge advocate, 
attaining the rank of captain. He married Karen Lako, who also served 
in the Ohio Senate, in 1983. He had five children: daughters Linda and 
Julie and sons Paul and twins Adam and Connor.
  Before he came to Capitol Hill in 1988, he spent 22 years in the Ohio 
statehouse where he became the senate president for three terms. He got 
to know the people, because half of this work is getting to know the 
people. His presence will be greatly missed and we all mourn his loss 
and extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
  More interested in policy than in seeking the limelight, Paul Gillmor 
focused his time here in the House squarely on the needs of his 
constituents. On the Energy and Commerce Committee, he was deeply 
involved in consumer issues, including protecting consumers from unfair 
credit report practices. He also worked to preserve our history by 
supporting and improving sites honoring our Nation's Presidents.
  Paul Gillmor was unanimously elected in 2006 by representatives of 
the 26 NATO countries to serve as Vice President of the NATO 
Parliamentary Assembly. As vice president of the NATO Parliamentary 
Assembly, Congressman Gillmor was the highest ranking American in this 
highly esteemed international organization.
  Most recently, Ohio has been plagued by scandals arising from 
predatory lending, and Representative Gillmor was a leader in trying to 
help families and communities that had been subject to predatory 
lending, pulling together the Ohio delegation to identify ways we can 
impact our neighborhoods and support laws that could impact families 
that had been subject to predatory lending.
  Mr. Speaker, a dear colleague has fallen but he will not be 
forgotten. We are all saddened by our loss but we are happy to have 
served with him. Our prayers and condolences go out to his widow Karen, 
his five children, and to thousands of his friends around the Nation. 
He touched so many lives during his career in politics, and he will 
truly be missed by me and the American people.

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