[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2376-E2377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE PHIL ENGLISH ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
           RETIREMENT FROM THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished 
career of the Honorable Phil English for his service to the people of 
Pennsylvania and the United States House of Representatives. 
Congressman English has represented the Third Congressional District of 
the State of Pennsylvania for the past 14 years.
  A lifelong resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, Phil graduated from the 
University of Pennsylvania in 1979. His interest in politics began when 
he was young. At just the age of 20, he served as an alternate delegate 
to the 1976 Republican National Convention.
  Phil began his career in public service as a legislative aide in the 
Pennsylvania General Assembly. In 1985, he was elected as Erie City 
Controller, the first Republican elected to citywide office in 20 
years. After his term as controller, Phil helped design the campaign 
for Rick Santorum's upset win to the U.S. Senate. Phil then served as 
chief of staff for then State Senator Melissa Hart until he ran for an 
open House seat in 1994.
  Known for his knowledge and experience with tax issues, Phil was 
appointed to the powerful Ways and Means Committee in his first year in 
Congress, becoming the first freshman Republican appointed to the 
committee in almost 30 years.
  Throughout his service to Pennsylvania and the United States, Phil 
has fought hard for measures to increase the child tax credit, 
accelerate the reduction of income tax rates, encourage household 
savings, eliminate the individual and corporate Alternative Minimum Tax

[[Page E2377]]

(AMT), cut the capital gains tax rate, increase expensing limits for 
businesses making capital investments, and encourage American companies 
operating overseas to reinvest in the United States. In the 110th 
Congress, Phil became the ranking member on the Select Revenue Measures 
Subcommittee.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a 
dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family--
his wife, Chris--and his many friends and colleagues join me in 
honoring his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over 
the years on behalf of the State of Pennsylvania and the United States 
of America.
  Phil will surely enjoy the well deserved time he now has to spend 
with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his 
future endeavors.

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