Rob Portman

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Summerbridge Cincinnati, Inc., a non-profit innovative teaching and mentoring program in Greater Cincinnati that recently celebrated ten years of success. Summerbridge began nationally in 1978, and now encompasses 26 programs on 31 campuses throughout the United States and Hong Kong. The results are impressive: 90 percent of Summerbridge students have gone on to strong academic high school and college programs, and 64 percent of the teaching staff have pursued teaching careers. In 1992, Odessa Hooker and Bill Hopple recognized a need in Cincinnati for providing academic guidance outside the traditional classroom environment for middle school students. Ms. Hooker and Mr. Hopple began Summerbridge Cincinnati, a summer program at Cincinnati Country Day School, with fifty sixth and seventh graders. That initial summer program has grown to a year round one for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. The programs and staff are now located on the campuses of the Cincinnati Country Day School and The Seven Hills School. Summerbridge brings together talented high school and college students who are interested in teaching with promising but underserved younger students. The mentor students instruct small, diverse classes in writing, literature, math, science, arts, music and theater, and also plan field trips. Each host school provides a director who is part of the school faculty. The focus is on developing leadership skills and self-esteem in a dynamic and academic environment. The program's success has been truly inspiring; both student and teacher participants have said the program was a breakthrough experience for them. All of us in Cincinnati are grateful to Summerbridge's teachers, students, and staff for ten years of making a positive difference in our community. We wish Summerbridge Cincinnati many more years of success.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Sisters of Charity and the employees, physicians, and volunteers of the Good Samaritan Hospital, which will celebrate its 150th birthday on November 2, 2002. Good Samaritan Hospital was founded by the Sisters of Chanty in 1852. It was Cincinnati's first private general hospital. The 21-bed hospital was located downtown and, back then, was known as St. John's Hotel for Invalids. For over 100 years, the Sisters of Chanty was intimately involved with the running of the hospital and, early on, Cincinnatians quickly came to trust and depend on the care of the Sisters. By 1856, the hospital's size tripled. Shortly thereafter, business leaders were so impressed with St. John's philanthropic leadership that two of them bought a 95-bed hospital downtown and renamed it the Hospital of the Good Samaritan in honor of the Sisters of Charity. In 1915, the hospital was so popular that it moved to larger quarters in Clifton-- where it is today--and opened 400 beds. Today, Good Samaritan Hospital cares for more inpatients than any other hospital in Southwestern Ohio. Good Samaritan Hospital is known for its high level of patient care and its nursing care. In recent years, it has been ranked among the top 50 hospitals in the United States for its cardiology/heart surgery, endocrinology, neurology/neurosurgery, and urology services, and among the top 100 for its orthopedic services and coronary artery bypass surgery. The vision of the Sisters of Charity, the devotion and hard work of the Good Samaritan medical staff, employees, and volunteers and Catholic Health Initiatives, which the Sisters of Charity helped found in 1996, have made Good Samaritan Hospital a great success. All of us in Greater Cincinnati recognize the Sisters of Chanty and the Good Samaritan Hospital medical staff, employees, and volunteers on its 150th birthday.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, as we reach the conclusion of this historic and dignified debate, now is the appropriate time to review the facts that compel the United States to act in self-defense and in defense of the civilized world. The fact, Mr. Speaker, is that the Iraqi regime is employing the vast wealth of his country to develop biological, chemical and nuclear weapons in direct violations of the 1991 cease-fire agreement and in violation of numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions. The fact is that the Iraqi regime is responsible for two wars against its neighbors resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands. The fact is that the regime's abuse of the U.N. administered Oil For Food Program is creating catastrophic shortages of food and medicine for thousands of Iraqi women and children. The fact is that the regime's association with terrorists undermines stability in the Middle East and threatens the security of the United States of America. The fact is that weapons of mass destruction in the hands of someone who sanctions the wholesale murder, starvation, rape and mutilation of ethnic Kurds, Shiite Muslims and other opponents is a clear and present danger to the security of the world. Does the discovery by U.N. inspectors of detailed drawings for constructing a small nuclear device in Saddam's three as-yet- undismantled uranium enrichment facilities not sufficiently reveal the dangerous ambitions of this dictator? Time and time again over the course of this debate, Mr. Speaker, these facts have been acknowledged by all of those who have spoken. And yet opponents of this resolution continue to resist what I believe is the obvious conclusion. Yes, the President should continue the diplomacy, should work with the United Nations to fashion stronger sanctions and a regime of coercive inspections. That work is under way as I speak. But what incentive does the Iraqi regime have to honor its international obligations if Congress fails to give the President the tools he needs to compel them to do so? What incentive is there for the United Nations to act with courage and conviction if Congress fails to do so? Mr. Speaker, we cannot wish this problem away. We must save ourselves. We must act. I support the resolution.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from California (Mr. Issa) for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, as Members of Congress we face no more important issues than those of war and peace, and for that reason I agree wholeheartedly with my colleague from Ohio (Mrs. Jones) who just spoke that this must be a vote of Congress. For that reason this extended debate on the House floor is very appropriate and the views expressed by Members of Congress are deserving of respect. Having read it closely, my view is that the carefully crafted resolution before us is the right approach. On Monday in my hometown of Cincinnati, the President of the United States clearly explained to the country what is at stake. He not only made the case that inaction is not an option, but that given the dangers and defiance of the Iraqi regime, the threat of military action must be an available option. Time and time again, Saddam Hussein has proven to be a threat to the peace and security of the region. That is why the international community through the United Nations has repeatedly called on the Iraqi regime to keep its word and open all facilities to weapons inspections. Yet repeatedly Iraq has refused, defying the United Nations. There is no reason to believe that without the threat of force, the disarmament the Iraqi regime agreed to as part of the disarmament after the Gulf War more than 10 years ago will ever occur. And there is other gathering danger and risk to America and all freedom-loving people. The horror of September 11, Mr. Speaker, awakened us to that reality. We know that the Iraqi regime is producing and stockpiling chemical and biological weapons. We know they are in the process of obtaining a nuclear weapon. We know that this regime has a consistent record of aggression of supporting terrorist activities. Once the Iraqi regime possesses a nuclear weapon, it, or the technology that creates it, could easily be passed along to a terrorist organization. Already chemical and biological weapons could be provided. We must not permit this to happen. The resolution will authorize military action but only if it is necessary. I would hope that every Member in this Chamber would pray that it would not be necessary. But the choice is clear, and it is a choice for the Iraqi regime to make. If the regime refuses to disarm, our military and our coalition partners will be compelled to make a stand for freedom and security against tyranny and terrorism. And if we take this course, it will not be unilateral as others on this floor have said. The United States will not be alone. I commend the President for his diplomatic initiatives, for continuing to try to work through the United Nations, and for an impressive array of coalition partners already assembled. I do not take lightly the fact that the course laid out by this resolution may put at risk the lives of young men and women in uniform. But I believe not authorizing the possible use of force would put even more innocent Americans at risk. This is a solemn debate and a tough vote of conscience. Mine will be a vote for an approach that I believe faces up to the very real dangers we face and maximizes the chance that these dangers can be addressed with a minimum loss of life. I will strongly support our President, Mr. Speaker, and I support the resolution.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, last night, October 7, 2002, President Bush made a major policy speech on Iraq in my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. At the President's request, I attended the speech with him. Consequently, I was not able to be present for the following rollcall votes: H.R. 3340--To allow certain catch-up contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan to be made by participants age 50 or over. H.R. 5531--To facilitate famine relief efforts and a comprehensive solution to the war in Sudan. H. Res. 468--Transatlantic Security and NATO Enhancement Resolution of 2002. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on each of these bills.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, we are pleased to rise today to congratulate the people of Portsmouth, Ohio, who will gather for the celebration and dedication of the Floodwall Mural Project on Saturday, October 5, 2002. In 1992, Dr. Louis R. Chaboudy, a lifetime resident of Portsmouth, Ohio, looked at ways to change the massive Portsmouth floodwall along the Ohio River from a grim reminder of flood and destruction to something positive. After a visit to Steubenville, another Ohio River Setting outdoor murals, he envisioned murals depicting local history painted on the massive concrete wall in Portsmouth. To bring this vision to fruition, Dr. and Mrs. Chaboudy contacted local elected officials and community leaders, outlining the project and encouraging a trip up river to Steubenville to view the murals to investigate the possibility for such a project in Portsmouth. On the return trip, the decision was made to go forward with the project. An informal committee was organized in 1992 to begin fundraising efforts and select a muralist. Given the scope of the project, the selection of a muralist was of utmost importance. Robert Dafford of Layfayette, Louisiana was highly recommended for his work on a similar project in Chemanius, Vancouver Island, Canada. Mr. Dafford was commissioned for the project, and work on the first mural--the longest of the project at 20 feet high and 160 feet long--began in May, 1993. A total of 44 beautiful murals depict the history of Portsmouth, ranging from early inhabitants, the Mound Builders, to early settlement of the area. The murals highlight historical events, locations, and structures, and include notable individuals and businesses in the community. Mr. Speaker, the Floodwall Mural Project is a dream come true, presenting the Portsmouth community with a wonderful visual history of a great city, and creating an attraction for out-of-town visitors. The project is an excellent example of how a community can come together to make a difference, and we hope our colleagues will join us in congratulating the community of Portsmouth on a job well done.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. I appreciate the gentlewoman yielding, and I thank her for her inquiry. As the gentlewoman knows, we are working closely with the minority leader both on substance and process. The Committee on International Relations is currently marking up the resolution. It is my understanding that the majority leader and the Speaker and the minority leader would intend to have ample time for a full and fair debate on that critical issue, as the gentlewoman says, of war and peace. But I know that there has been no decision made yet on time, nor has the Committee on Rules met to consider the rule.

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, if the gentlewoman will continue to yield, again, no decision has been made. We do not yet have the resolution out of the Committee on International Relations. It is my understanding that by 5 p.m. tomorrow Members are asked to submit possible amendments or substitutes to the Committee on Rules; and again, we then would be in a position to know better what the possibility is of the substitute or amendments. But we have nothing to announce definitively at this point.

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman's indulgence, and I appreciate her yielding on the schedule. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the House has completed its legislative business for the week. No votes are expected in the House tomorrow in order to allow Members to attend the funeral service for the Honorable Patsy Mink, our former colleague from the State of Hawaii. The House will meet for legislative business on Monday, October 7, at 9:30 a.m. for morning hour and 11 a.m. for legislative business. The majority leader will schedule a number of measures under suspension of the rules, a list of which will be distributed to the Members' offices tomorrow. Recorded votes on Monday will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. For Tuesday and the balance of the week, the majority leader has scheduled the following measures for consideration in the House: first, H.J. Res. 114, providing authorization for the use of military force against Iraq; second, a continuing resolution; and, third, H.R. 2037, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. Additionally, I am advised that conference reports may be brought up at any time during the week. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. PORTMAN. If the gentlewoman will continue to yield, just again to make the point that we do have a busy week next week, and with the possibility of the Department of Defense appropriations bill and the military construction appropriations bills out of conference coming before the House, but that is the schedule for the week as we know it.

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, again, if the gentlewoman will yield, there is no decision yet made as to whether we will be in session on Friday. I think from talking to the majority leader that it really depends on conference reports. We have the possibility of a conference report, for instance, on energy; and I know the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) is here, and there is the possibility of conference reports on DOD and military construction appropriations, and other conference reports, including election reform, that may be before the House. So Members should be advised that it is possible that we would be in next Friday considering conference reports.

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, again, I have nothing to announce definitively. I wish for my own personal purposes that I did, as I am sure all Members are eager to know that. But it will depend obviously on the work we can get done here in the next week and, more importantly, in the Senate. There are a number of matters that the House would like to take up. The Speaker has made it clear, for instance, that we should complete work on the homeland security bill that would provide for the new creation of the Department of Homeland Security, but that bill is currently in the Senate. So I suppose the answer would be nothing definitive at this point, but we are waiting to hear from the Senate.

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, if the gentlewoman will continue to yield, I know of no plans to bring the agriculture appropriations bill to the floor. As the gentleman knows better than I, the committee is working not only on that appropriation bill, but others. We still find ourselves with an interesting situation, with the Senate not having passed a budget and not having some of the fiscal discipline and parameters we need to move forward. But we have no information on the agriculture appropriations bill at this point.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:30 a.m. on Monday next for morning hour debates.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that business in order under the Calendar Wednesday rule be dispensed with on Wednesday next.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I congratulate the gentleman on being persistent on this issue over the years. There are not many issues we agree on in this Chamber, particularly as we come up to an election, but this is one where I think we have a consensus, which is that just by the act of getting married, one should not have to pay higher taxes. Married people should not pay higher taxes than those who might be living together, but not in marriage as individuals. That is the principle behind this legislation. Because of a Senate procedural quirk, the legislation which passed this House on a bipartisan basis was not able to be permanent. It had to be a 10 year, now because we are 2 years later, 8.5 year piece of legislation so that this marriage penalty relief that this House agrees on on a bipartisan basis expires in 8 short years. If we do not make this permanent, what will happen? It means that $17 billion will be increased in terms of taxes in 2011, and there will be a $25 billion tax increase in 2012 to primarily middle-income married couples who otherwise would benefit from the marriage penalty relief which passed this House. All we are saying today is let us make this permanent. We heard my colleague talking about the economy, and I could not agree with the gentleman more. We have a serious economic problem that started in the spring of 2000, as any economist knows, during the Clinton administration. The downturn got pretty deep over the next several months, and hopefully we are now coming out of it based on all the economic data. But my colleague was suggesting that because we are in an economic downturn, although hopefully we are coming out of it, that somehow we should not make the marriage tax penalty permanent. I guess I would ask the gentleman, going back to the philosophical basis here, should people who are married pay significantly more taxes than if they were single living together? The philosophy here is one that there seems to be a consensus on in this House, and the question is should we make this a tax law change, which is to say, we change the code on a permanent basis. Congress can always come back and revisit any of our tax law legislation; or should we have an absurd situation where it is going to be in place for the next 8 years, and then it will suddenly expire and we will go back to previous law where again 36 million low and middle income married couples will end up paying higher taxes to the tune of $17 billion in 2011, and $25 billion in the year 2012. That does not seem to make sense. This resolution, I think, is important just to shine light on this issue. This is one issue that we could resolve on a bipartisan basis. Admittedly, it is unlikely the Senate will act, but it is possible. If the Senate were to act, I think it would be a strong bipartisan vote on the floor of the Senate, and the House would eagerly take up the legislation, get it to the President who would happily sign it and enact it into law. I thank the gentleman for raising it today. I hope this is one issue we can resolve.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Oliver W. Waddell, a distinguished constituent, dear friend and an accomplished business leader who will receive the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Silver Hope Award at the 2002 Dinner of Champions on October 3, 2002. The Silver Hope Award is the highest honor given by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Ollie is being honored for his dedication to ending the devastating effects of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Ollie is from Falmouth, Kentucky, and is perhaps best known from his long and very successful career with Star Bank (formerly the First National Bank of Cincinnati), which he joined in 1957 as a management trainee. In 1980, he was appointed president and director, and, in 1982, chief executive officer of Star Bank, N.A. Shortly thereafter, Ollie was made a director of Star Banc Corporation, the parent company of Star Bank, N.A. By August, 1990, Ollie was chairman, president and chief executive officer of Star Banc Corporation. Under his direction, Star Banc Corporation doubled in size, becoming a multi-state bank holding company with offices located in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Ollie was chairman, president and chief executive officer of Star Banc Corporation until May, 1993, when he stepped down as president and chief executive officer. Ollie cares deeply about his wife, Virgilee, and wanted to spend more time with her. Years before this decision, Virgilee was diagnosed with MS. Although the Waddells' battle against MS has been a very personal and private one, they recently made the decision to help others in that fight by creating the Waddell Center for Multiple Sclerosis through the University of Cincinnati. The Center will have an important role in helping to end the devastating effects of MS. Over the years, Ollie has been very active in our community. He has served on the board of directors for several organizations which include: Star Banc Corporation; Star Bank, N.A; Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company; Myers Y. Cooper Company; Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport; and Ohio National Life Insurance Company. He also has been active in the community as a member of the Commercial Club, Commonwealth Club, Optimists Club, Queen City Club and Rotary Club. Ollie is very dedicated to his family. Ollie and Virgilee have been married for 47 years. They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, all of us in Southwestern Ohio thank Ollie for his commitment to fighting MS, and we congratulate him on receiving the prestigious Silver Hope Award. I hope my colleagues will join me in wishing Ollie and Virgilee the very best as they continue to fight their own battle against this difficult disease.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Marianne and Donald Klekamp, dear friends and community leaders, who will be honored at the 4th Annual Brain Injury Awards Dinner in Cincinnati on September 27, 2002. Marianne and Don are both Cincinnati natives who have made a tremendous difference in our area. Marianne received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Cincinnati in 1956. Don received a Bachelor of Arts with honors from Xavier University in 1954, and went on to earn his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1957. Marianne and Don were married in July, 1957. They briefly left the Cincinnati area while Don worked as a tax attorney in Cleveland with U.S. Steel Corporation. However, in 1959, they moved back to Cincinnati, when Don accepted a position with the law firm of Keating & Muething, P.L.L., as it was known back then. Forty-three years later, Don is still working hard as a Senior Partner at the same firm, now known as Keating, Muething & Klekamp, P.L.L. Don is an excellent lawyer, and is regularly included in the Best Lawyers in America Don's success at Keating, Muething & Klekamp, P.L.L., would not have been possible without Marianne's hard work and dedication to their family and home. While raising their five children, Amy, Molly, Rebecca, Jody, and Peter, Marianne provided support to Don in his law practice and to his community activities. Marianne and Don have also given a great deal to our local community. In addition to their children's school related activities, Marianne served as President of Cotillion, and more recently as a member of the Cincinnati Nutrition Council. Don recently served for eight years on the Indian Hill Council, the last four as Mayor of the Village. He also was a board member of the Indian Hill Historical Society, the Greater Cincinnati Dental Care Foundation of Children's Hospital, and the Citizens for Community Values. Don also was president of the Cincinnati Citizens Police Association, a former trustee of the Madeira and Indian Hill Joint Fire District and of the University of Cincinnati Foundation. In addition, Don is a founder and past president of the Ohio Right to Life Society, and he has received a number of awards and honors, including the Trustee's Award of the Cincinnati Bar Association and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Xavier University. Don currently serves on the Dean's Board of Visitors of the University of Cincinnati College of Law, and on the boards of the Legal Aid Society and the National Coalition of the Protection of Children and Families and Life Issues Institute. Don also serves on the board of directors for a number of companies, including Cintas Corporation. Marianne and Don recently established the Donald P. Klekamp Professorship of Law at the University of Cincinnati College of Law and helped establish a scholarship in the Honors AB Program at Xavier University. They also were instrumental in providing funding for the acquisition and remodeling of the Donald P. Klekamp Community Law Center, the new location of the Legal Aid Society, which provides legal services to the poor and disadvantaged in Southwestern Ohio. Mr. Speaker, Marianne and Don are outstanding individuals who have really made a difference in the Cincinnati area. All of us in Southwestern Ohio are thankful for their countless contributions to our community as they are honored at the 4th Annual Brain Injury Awards Dinner.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 547, I call up the resolution (H. Res. 544) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on permanency of pension reform provisions, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady), a valued member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to George A. Schaefer, Jr., a distinguished constituent, a friend and an accomplished business leader who will be inducted into the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Business Hall of Fame on September 26, 2002. George is being honored for his many successes at the helm of Fifth Third Bancorp and for his leadership in our community. George was born in Cincinnati in 1945. He attended Elder High School, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, in 1967. In 1974, he graduated with an M.B.A. from Xavier University. Following West Point, George proudly served our country in the U.S. Army. From 1967 to 1969, he was stationed in Europe, and, between 1969 and 1970, he served in Vietnam, where he earned a Bronze Star. George will tell you that his experience at West Point and service in the Army prepared him well for the business world. He initially joined Fifth Third Bank as a management trainee in 1971, and, by 1990, he was the President and CEO of the bank. Since then, Fifth Third has routinely posted double digit growth rates. Under George's tenure, total revenues have grown from $393 million to $4.2 billion--an astonishing 1000 percent increase. Currently, Fifth Third is the 15th largest bank in the U.S., and among the top ten U.S. banks in market valuation. George is rightfully regarded as one of the top bankers in our nation. George's other activities and civic commitments include: Chairman of the Board of the University of Cincinnati; the Children's Hospital Center Medical Center Executive Committee; the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee; and the Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati Executive Committee. He has given of his time and energy to a number of other worthy organizations including: the Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts; the Johnny Bench Scholarship Fund; the United Way; and the Taft Museum of Art. With all of his great accomplishments, he's particularly proud of his marriage of 35 years to his wife, Betty, and their three children and four grandchildren. All of us in the Greater Cincinnati area congratulate George on his induction into the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Business Hall of Fame, and wish him the very best on his current and future endeavors.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert H. Castellini, a friend, community leader and accomplished businessperson who will have the honor of being inducted into the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Business Hall of Fame on September 26, 2002. Bob is being honored for his outstanding business and community leadership. Bob is a Cincinnati native. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., in 1963, and went on to earn his M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967. After earning his M.B.A., he served in the U.S. Army for 2 years until 1969. Bob's business successes come from his association with the produce firm, Castellini Company, where he started in 1966 as a Vice President. From 1970 to 1992 he was President and CEO of the company, and, from 1992 to the present, he has served as the company's Chairman of the Board of Directors. Under his leadership, the firm experienced significant growth, becoming one of the premier fresh produce distribution firms in the Midwest. The Castellini Company is one of Cincinnati's oldest companies. It was founded in 1896 by Bob's grandfather, Joseph J. Castellini. Bob has been with the company for over 35 years, and his outstanding leadership and hard work are directly responsible for its continued success. Bob also has been very active in our community. He serves on the board of directors of several Greater Cincinnati privately-held corporations. He also is a member of the Chief Executives Organization and the Cincinnati Business Committee in addition to serving on the Board of Trustees for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Xavier University, the Good Samaritan Hospital, and the Cincinnati Art Museum. In addition, Bob has received a number of other honors and awards including the Distinguished Service Citation Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice; the People of Vision Award from Prevent Blindness of Southwest Ohio; and the Founders Award from Xavier University. Bob also is a devoted family man. He and his wife, Susan, have four children and four grandchildren. All of us in the Cincinnati area congratulate him on his induction into the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Business Hall of Fame.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ross Love, a friend, community leader, and accomplished businessperson who will be inducted into the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Business Hall of Fame on September 26, 2002. Ross is being honored for his outstanding business career, which includes leadership roles at the Procter & Gamble Company, Blue Chip Broadcasting, and Blue Chip Enterprises. Ross was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Syracuse University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts. Shortly after earning his degree, Ross began a very successful career with Procter & Gamble, where he worked for 28 years in marketing and advertising. After running a number of the company's key brands, he was appointed Vice President of Advertising and oversaw the marketing of Procter & Gamble's products for 10 years. In 1995, Ross founded Blue Chip Broadcasting, which initially included an investment in just one radio station. By the time he sold Blue Chip Broadcasting last year, he had grown the company into a 19- station group--the second largest African-American owned radio broadcasting company in the United States. Currently, Ross is the President and CEO of Blue Chip Enterprises, a company he founded in 2001. Blue Chip Enterprises has helped increase the number of African- American owned businesses in the Cincinnati region. Even while achieving great business successes, Ross has been active in making our community and our country stronger. Nationally, he led the Partnership for a Drug-Free America in developing virtually all of its anti-drug messages targeted to the African-American community. Among his important local activities, he serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and as Co- Chair of Cincinnati Community Action Now (CAN). Ross and his wife, Cheryl, have been married for over 30 years, and they have two children, Jonathan and Ayanna. All of us in the Cincinnati area congratulate Ross on his induction into the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Business Hall of Fame, and wish him the very best with his current and future endeavors.