[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3275-S3276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO CARY M. MAGUIRE

 Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 
the remarks of Representative Ralph Hall be printed in the Record on 
the tenacity of Cary M. Maguire, founder, Chair and President of the 
Dallas-based Mcguire Oil Company and Maguire Energy Company.
  The remarks follow.

       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

[[Page S3276]]

     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.
       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.

                          ____________________