Tribute To The Honorable Michael G. Oxley Upon His Retirement From The U.S. House Of Representatives

TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE MICHAEL G. OXLEY UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES -- (Extensions of Remarks - December 08, 2006)

* Mr. TURNER. Madam Speaker, I have the honor to recognize a fellow colleague from the Great State of Ohio, Chairman Michael Oxley. Chairman Oxley has served with distinction in this House for 25 years and is retiring at the end of the 109th Congress.

* Many people know Chairman Oxley either from his work on the Financial Services Committee, his tireless work for the constituents of the Fourth District of Ohio, or his years of participation as a player and manager of the Republican Baseball Team. Chairman Oxley is also a tireless advocate of the military and especially the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center--Lima, formerly known as the Lima Army Tank Plant.

* The Joint Systems Manufacturing Center--Lima traces its history back to WWII when it prepared and processed more than 100,000 combat vehicles. The plant today is the sole producer of the M-1 Abrams tank.

* Chairman Oxley worked with the Department of Defense over the years to encourage the utilization of the workforce and available space at the facility. Through his efforts, the plant has grown beyond its original mission, providing a wide variety of cutting-edge military vehicles for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

* Most recently, Rep. Oxley was successful in working with Task Force LIMA during the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure to ensure the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center remained a strong and continued asset for the Nation, the State of Ohio and the greater Lima community. Chairman Oxley was also able to restore funding for the modernization of the M-1 tank, further ensuring our men and women in uniform remain the best equipped fighting force in the world.

* Chairman Oxley is a distinguished member of the Ohio Delegation and of this House. He has made his mark on this Nation not only through his ardent support of the financial service industry, but also his unwavering support of the military. His tireless support of the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center--Lima has placed it in a strong position for the future. As Chairman Oxley sometimes quotes former President Reagan's farewell address, ``My friends, we did it. We weren't just marking time. We made a difference.'' For 25 years, Chairman Oxley has made a difference not only for Ohioans but for all Americans. The House of Representatives has benefited from his ideas and leadership.

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