[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 152 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING JOHN M. SAMUELS

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                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2014

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the enormous 
contributions made by John M. Samuels to the development of sound U.S. 
tax policy over the last 40 years. John Samuels is retiring from the 
General Electric Company at the end of this year, where he has been the 
Vice President and Senior Counsel for Tax Policy and Planning since 
1988. Before joining GE, John had a successful career in private 
practice and spent several years at the U.S. Department of Treasury, as 
Deputy Tax Legislative Counsel and Tax Legislative Counsel.
   Most press articles about John highlight his distinguished career at 
GE. And while that is important, I want to acknowledge the work he has 
done behind the scenes to promote sound, effective, pro-growth tax 
policies for the benefit of the entire U.S. economy. The progress we 
have made in advancing the cause of comprehensive tax reform has 
benefited enormously from his efforts.
   One example has been his support of academic research into 
international corporate tax issues through the founding of the 
International Tax Policy Forum (ITPF). John Samuels has served as the 
chairman of ITPF since it was founded in 1992. ITPF, which has been 
called the ``world's leading tax think tank,'' plays a unique and 
important role in sponsoring nonpartisan academic research, often by 
young, up-and-coming scholars, and hosting conferences at which such 
papers are presented, discussed, and debated. This gives tax 
policymakers in Washington access to a much broader body of research 
and thought than we would otherwise have, thus informing and elevating 
the policy discussions taking place in Congress, in the Administration, 
and at other think tanks.
   In 2009, John received the Tax Foundation's Distinguished Service 
Award for his contributions to tax policy. In announcing the award, the 
President of the Tax Foundation said, ``John's leadership in 
facilitating a rational debate on international tax policy is without 
peer.''
   While John is retiring from GE, he is not retiring from the world of 
tax policy. I know his leadership in ``facilitating a rational debate 
on international tax policy'' will carry on. I am confident his 
contributions will continue in the next chapter of his distinguished 
career. And I know that my colleagues who will push forward in Congress 
on the extremely important work we started in reforming our tax code 
will turn to John Samuels again and again for advice, ideas, and wise 
counsel.

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