[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 22 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E168-E169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING CARY M. MAGUIRE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 2012

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Cary M. 
Maguire, a fellow Texan who exemplifies fortitude, American 
entrepreneurship, and community service.
  Over the past twenty years, Cary's strength of character was tested 
and proven as he fought for justice in a property rights dispute 
against the Houston, Texas city government. Despite being dealt a bad 
hand, court after court, Cary never surrendered. He showed courage and 
faith that justice would prevail, and his perseverance was ultimately 
rewarded.
  Cary is the founder, Chair, and President of the Dallas-based Maguire 
Oil Company and Maguire Energy Company. In 1991, Cary's company was 
given a permit by the city of Houston to drill near the banks of Lake 
Houston. However, when his crew began the project a city officer 
patrolling the area stopped the team, citing a city ordinance that 
prohibited drilling within 1,000 feet of the shore. The city revoked 
Maguire Oil's permit, and a lengthy court battle began.
  The case was shuffled around for fourteen years as courts argued over 
jurisdiction and how to proceed. In 2009, a Harris County court-at-law 
awarded Maguire $2 million in damages, plus $2.2 million in interest. 
The City appealed this ruling before agreeing on a settlement, settling 
a lawsuit that spanned two trials, four appeals and the administrations 
of four mayors.
  While acknowledging that the amount spent in legal fees exceeded the 
amount of the settlement, Cary stated that he continued the case 
because he thought it was important to defend the principle that while 
government has the right to take property for the public good, it does 
not have the right to do so without compensating the property owner.
  Cary proceeded to donate the settlement money to found the Center for 
Ethics and Public Responsibility that bears his name at Southern 
Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, where he serves as Trustee 
Emeritus in recognition for his outstanding service to the University 
as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1976 to 2000.
  In addition to his founding grant to create the Maguire Center for 
Ethics and Public Responsibility, Cary also endowed a university-wide 
professorship in ethics at SMU. He has provided additional funds for 
programs and facilities in SMU's Edwin L. Cox School of Business, 
including the Maguire Energy Institute, the Maguire Chair in oil and 
gas management, and the Maguire Building housing undergraduate programs 
in the Cox School.
  In 1995 he and his wife, Ann, were among the first recipients of 
SMU's Mustang Award honoring individuals whose longtime service and 
philanthropy have had a lasting impact on the University.
  His national leadership positions include service on The National 
Petroleum Council, the Executive Committee of Mid-Continental Oil and 
Gas Association, and membership of the Madison Council of the Library 
of Congress, where he funded the Maguire Chair in Ethics and American 
History.

[[Page E169]]

  Mr. Speaker, Cary Maguire's professional and philanthropic 
contributions will have a lasting value not only in the great State of 
Texas, but our nation. He embodies many outstanding qualities that 
define the American spirit. As we adjourn the House of Representatives 
today, let us do so in appreciation of this American leader, Mr. Cary 
Maguire.

                          ____________________