[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 181 (Friday, December 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE RETIREMENT OF CATERPILLAR INC. CEO DOUGLAS OBERHELMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DARIN LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2016

  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to recognize Douglas 
Oberhelman of Peoria, Illinois for his notable tenure as Chief 
Executive Officer of Caterpillar Inc.
  In 1975, Douglas began his career with Caterpillar in the treasury 
department. Since then, he has established himself as a leader and has 
participated in various businesses across the company. His talent and 
drive led to him being selected as Caterpillar's Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer in 1995. Sixteen years later, Oberhelman was 
named Chairman of the Board of Directors and Caterpillar's Chief 
Executive Officer.
  Despite being named CEO in the midst of an economic crisis, Douglas 
led Caterpillar to the highest sales and revenue peak in company 
history. In addition to record high sales, Douglas focused on improving 
customer service and safety standards within the company and across the 
world.
  Throughout his career, Oberhelman has had the distinguished honor of 
serving on the Board of Directors of the Exxon Mobil Corporation, the 
Business Council, and being named Chairman of the Business Roundtable. 
Additionally, his remarkable leadership in the industry was further 
recognized when he was named Chair of the National Association of 
Manufacturers. Further, Douglas and his wife, Diane, have been generous 
supporters of our local community with longstanding donations of time 
and resources to the Easter Seals Foundation of Central Illinois, 
Millikin University, the Boy Scouts of America, and a multitude of 
conservation organizations and efforts.
  Douglas is known throughout Central Illinois for not only his 
outstanding business acumen, but also his innovative and visionary 
leadership of Caterpillar. Our community has been fortunate to benefit 
from the hard work and leadership of Douglas Oberhelman, I extend my 
sincerest congratulations to him on a successful career and I look 
forward to seeing his legacy continue in Central Illinois.

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