FINDLAY, OH, July 2016 – U.S. Congressman Michael G. Oxley is being recognized posthumously as the honorary chairman at the Findlay∙Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Annual Chamber Golf Tournament being held Monday, August 29, at the Findlay Country Club. Oxley was selected to honor his political legacy.

Born and raised in Findlay, Oxley was born into a political family. His father, Garver, served as Hancock County prosecutor. Oxley won his first election in 1961 as a junior representative to the student council of Findlay High School. He went on to earn a political science degree from Miami University in 1966, and earned his law degree from Ohio State University.

Oxley began his career as a special agent with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, working in Boston and New York City. In 1972, he returned to Findlay to run for the Ohio House. He won, and served in the General Assembly until 1981. A lifelong Republican, he was then elected to Congress in a special election, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Ohio’s Fourth Congressional District from 1981 to 2007. Serving 26 years in Congress, Oxley made his mark by co-authoring the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which placed stricter rules on the accounting industry. After retiring, Oxley became a senior advisor to the board of NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. and a part-time associate of the Ohio-based law firm of Baker Hostetler in Washington, D.C.

Oxley remained tied to his hometown. He was a member of the University of Findlay Board of Trustees for many years and received an honorary doctoral degree from the University. In 2014, the Hancock County Historical Museum dedicated the then new Oxley Government Center exhibit to his Congressional career. Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to officially name the Findlay post office after Oxley. The bill, authored by U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, now before the Senate for approval would designate the post office at 229 W. Main Cross St. as the “Michael Garver Oxley Memorial Post Office Building.”

After a long struggle with lung cancer, Oxley died at his home in McLean, Virginia at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; their son, Michael Chadd “Elvis” Oxley; daughter-in-law Jennifer Gennaro Oxley; grandson Max; and brother Tom Oxley.

“It is with great pleasure that we recognize the Congressman’s leadership that has advanced not only our local community but the United States,” said Dionne Neubauer, Director, Findlay∙Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.

Congressman Oxley’s legacy will be honored during the Annual Chamber Golf Tournament’s Crowning of Champions, in which a proclamation will be presented to his family.

For more information on the outing or to register, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 419-422-3313. Proceeds from the golf tournament will go toward the advancement of the organization’s goals to support and provide resources to local small-to-large businesses, and improve economic opportunities for all.