[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8359]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


  CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEXT UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, ROB 
                                PORTMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. J. DENNIS HASTERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2005

  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my good friend from 
Ohio, Rep. Rob Portman. As you all know, Rob is likely to be confirmed 
by the Senate to be the next United States Trade Representative. His 
confirmation means that American companies and their products have a 
tireless advocate in the global marketplace.
  While we all wish Rob the best, it's a sad day for the House of 
Representatives and the Republican Leadership team.
  Rob Portman is a true ``people's legislator.'' From the moment he was 
elected from Ohio's Second Congressional District 12 years ago, Rob has 
worked tirelessly for the people of Ohio. He is a member of the Ways 
and Means Committee and serves as Vice-Chairman of the Budget 
Committee. His congressional work has done much to benefit the American 
people.
  Rob authored or coauthored more than a dozen bills that passed both 
Houses and eventually became law. His accomplishments include improving 
our nation's pension laws, eliminating capital gains taxes on the sale 
of most homes, restructuring the IRS with significant new taxpayer 
rights, and in an area that is close to my heart, Rob helped enact 
legislation that supports community anti-drug efforts. Most recently, 
he assisted in drafting landmark legislation to create what we now know 
as the Department of Homeland Security, one of the largest and most 
significant reorganizations of the Federal government in our nation's 
history.
  Since January 2001, Rob has served as the Chairman of the Elected 
Leadership for House Republicans. He has been an outstanding and 
invaluable member of our team in the House.
  The list of Rob Portman's contributions to the House of 
Representatives and the American people could go on and on. The Nation 
is fortunate to have had his service in the House of Representatives.
  I am especially privileged to have had Rob Portman's friendship as 
well. His character and integrity are unquestionable. His dedication to 
our country and his constituents is surpassed only by his devotion to 
his wife Jane and their three children.
  It is my pleasure to congratulate the next United States Trade 
Representative, Rob Portman. I wish him the very best.

                          ____________________