Recognizing Mr. Kevin Bell on His Retirement

Floor Speech

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Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join the Lincoln Park Zoo colleagues in honoring Mr. Kevin J. Bell. Kevin recently retired as the zoo's President and CEO after 26 years of dedicated service. Kevin's retirement marks the end of a long career as a leader in the wildlife Conservation and Zoo world. Since he was a young boy, Kevin growing up on the grounds of the Bronx Zoo, where his father worked, had a passion for animals.

Kevin has been with Lincoln Park Zoo for 45 years, starting as a volunteer at the age of 10, he became a part-time animal caretaker at 17, and a keeper at 20. After earning his degrees, he was hired in 1976 as the curator of birds at Lincoln Park Zoo, promoted in 1992 to assistant director, and appointed in 1993 to director. After the zoo privatized in 1995, Kevin was named president and CEO of the Lincoln Park Zoological Society, which manages and operates Lincoln Park Zoo.

Kevin joined the American Zoo and Aquarium Association in 1976, and 20 years later would become the chair of the Privatization Task Force. A well-respected expert, he has published numerous articles in zoo- related publications. In 2011, he was selected as one of the three U.S. delegates to serve on the board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). Madam Speaker, please join me and all our colleagues in the House of Representatives in recognizing Mr. Bell's years of service and congratulating him on his retirement.

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