Oxley's role as chair of committee 'first and foremost'

Mike Oxley's favorite piece of legislation has helped to improve public confidence in corporate America.

"The stock market and the financial markets do not like surprises," said Nicholas Gesouras, area president for Key Bank. "The Sarbanes-Oxley Act is basically about corporate governance."

Oxley, a Republican who represents Ohio's 4th Congressional District, announ- ced his retirement Tuesday. He will step down when his term ends Dec. 31, 2006. A member of Congress for 25 years, he is chairman of the Financial Services Committee that oversees banking, insurance and securities issues.

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