[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 16] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 22924] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO BRAD CURREY, JR. ______ HON. MICHAEL G. OXLEY of ohio in the house of representatives Monday, September 27, 1999 Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, the strength of our republic lies in the participation of all people, exercising their individual liberty by making their voices heard. One person can make a difference that can benefit us all. Congress is, and should be composed of 535 laymen. We each have expertise in something, but on the wide array of issues with which we deal, we need a lot more information, a lot of educating--or we can make some mistakes. The two concepts--one person making a difference, and Congress needing solid information on a wide variety of topics--are combined in the career of a man named Brad Currey, Jr. Brad Currey retires at the end of this year as Chairman, President, and CEO of the Rock-Tenn Company in Norcross, Georgia. Brad always says that Rock-Tenn's value is based on the unique competence of its people; with those people, he built one of the country's largest manufacturers and converters of 100 percent recycled paperboard. Their products are all around us, but we rarely recognize them: cereal boxes, bookcovers, overnight express mail envelopes, and countless other items. During his career with Rock-Tenn, Brad demonstrated why a ``special interest group'' is not necessarily a bad thing. He has helped Congress refine an important part of environmental policy, especially in the area of recycling. In doing so, he and his colleagues in the 100 percent paper recycling industry helped remind us of the broad power Congress has to affect the way business is done. A few years back, we grappled with what was referred to at the time as the ``solid waste crisis.'' Legislation was introduced and considered in the Commerce Committee to help spur the recycling markets. We certainly did not know all that we needed to know about recycling, and few people in environmental organizations or the lobbying community had an expert background in it, either. Brad Currey recognized that the future of his paper recycling industry was about to be decided in Congress. He called on his industry colleagues, many of whom were owners and operators of small family-run recycled paper companies, and convinced them of the need to make their voice heard in the debate on solid waste and recycled issues. From that point, the story takes on a more ``inside Washington`` character: they chose a name for themselves, the Paper Recycling Coalition (PRC), and hired a consulting firm to guide them through the legislative and regulatory process. Thanks to Brad and his colleagues, I have learned more about the recycled paper industry and its presence in Ohio and around the country. I have also learned more about the issues that affect them, and recognized that heir collective voice was valuable in crafting the nation's recycling policies. They created a more visible identity for the recycled paper industry, and they did it without arm-twisting or crass tactics. They did it with information. From what I have heard from his friends, inserting the paper recycling industry in the policymaking process is just one of many Brad Currey accomplishments. As Brad gets ready to retire, I want to thank him for his guidance and assure him that he has made a difference--he has had a positive impact on the policy process. Like Brad, I hope others will see that they too can make a difference. One willing, dedicated person can have a positive influence on policies that benefit the nation as a whole. Operating forthrightly and with integrity, they can inform us, and help to make our policies sounder. That is an important contribution, and, perhaps, the most vital lesson Brad leaves behind. it is about the people. People like Brad Currey. ____________________