[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 26 (Friday, February 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL GARVER ``MIKE'' OXLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 11, 2016

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor and remember former 
Representative Mike Oxley who we lost last month. Today would have been 
his 72nd birthday, so our presence here tonight is a wonderful way to 
commemorate his life of service. I remember Mike most for his big 
smile, which could be seen from across the Chamber, and his love for 
his wife Patricia and his son Chadd.
  Mr. Oxley grew up understanding the importance of service to his 
country, which he carried out to the very end. He started his career 
working as a Federal Bureau of Investigations agent in Boston and New 
York City. He frequently noted this experience directed his 
Congressional decisions and that set him apart from other Members.
  He returned to his hometown of Findlay--Flag City--in 1972 to begin 
his career in elected office when he won a seat in the Ohio House. For 
a decade he sharpened and honed his legislative expertise, serving him 
well for the next chapter of his life. In 1981, he won a special 
election to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  I remember Mike relished working with his fellow Ohio delegation, 
especially the late Representative Paul Gillmor. Mr. Oxley dedicated 
his years of federal service to reforming our banking and financial 
laws. As the Chairman of the Committee on Financial Services, from 2001 
to 2006, Ox demonstrated his leadership of Congress' response during 
very troublesome financial times following the tech bubble struggles of 
the early 2000s, Wall Street turmoil that followed the 9/11 attacks and 
corporate scandals including Enron. While Mr. Oxley and I were often on 
opposite sides, I will always remember him as jovial, collegial, and 
someone who had a great passion for public service.
  I was proud to work with him on the Base Realignment and Closure 
Commission as we stopped a Pentagon recommendation to reduce the size 
of the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima. This effort saved 
the jobs of 750 people who continue to manufacture tanks and sections 
of armored vehicles, including the best Army tank in the world, the 
Abrams.
  I was saddened when I learned that Mr. Oxley had been diagnosed with 
lung cancer. In his fight against cancer, he demonstrated his true 
spirit, and his eternal dedication to service by joining the Lung 
Cancer Alliance in 2010. Always fighting for others even amidst his own 
battle, he became the Board Chairman in January of 2014.
  It was an honor and privilege to serve with him and to pay tribute to 
his life. May his soul rest in peace and may his family be comforted by 
the memories they share of their times together and the joy he brought 
to living.

                          ____________________