Tribute to Congressman William O. Lipinski

TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI -- (House of Representatives - November 17, 2004)

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 7, 2003, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.

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Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for organizing this tribute to our friend, Bill Lipinski; and I am pleased to join with other members of the Illinois delegation to celebrate the outstanding career of Bill Lipinski and to wish him well on his retirement after 22 years in this body.

When I was elected to Congress in 1998, I was fortunate to become part of a delegation that works together in a bipartisan and effective way to meet the needs of our State. Bill Lipinski has been the leader and a guiding force in bringing us together in that effort. He has helped us devise ways to make sure that Illinois' interests are protected and that Illinois gets its fair share of Federal dollars.

Over the years, I have attended many meetings where Bill Lipinski has kept us focused and shown us opportunities. He has built friendships and coalitions inside the Congress on both sides of the aisle and outside of Congress. He has worked day after day, year after year to make sure that his constituents got the best representation possible.

Bill Lipinski has helped me learn about Congress, learn about the government process, and learn how to get things done. He has always been there to give me advice, to give me support, and to answer my questions. And for that, I will always be appreciative.

In particular, Bill has helped me and so many others in this body and around the country learn more about transportation. Whether it is planes, trains, or trucks, Bill Lipinski knows transportation. Everyone wants to go somewhere, and Bill Lipinski has spent his career making sure that we can get there.

The Chicago Tribune called Bill Lipinski the Transit King because of his knowledge and ability to deliver for his district. As a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Bill Lipinski has worked hard to improve infrastructure, expand the highway system, and modernize the freight rail system. He has helped meet the needs of travelers, commuters, and shippers, creating good jobs at the same time.

Chicago, a transportation hub for the Nation, has benefited tremendously from Bill Lipinski's national transportation reputation and experience. He is not just a national expert; he consistently tackles the transportation problems faced by Chicago and surrounding communities. Bill Lipinski is the living example of Tip O'Neill's axiom that "all politics are local."

Whether it is the reconstruction of the Stevenson Expressway, airport renovation, the CTA's orange line, or helping communities cope with train whistles, Bill Lipinski has a hands-on approach to dealing with local issues. He understands the problems his constituents face, whether it is losing a job because of unfair trade policies, struggling to pay for enormous drug bills, or protecting overtime pay.

A life-long Chicagoan, Bill worked for 17 years at the Chicago Park District and served as a Chicago alderman, which in the eyes of many Chicagoans is believed to be the highest of political achievements. And Bill Lipinski continued to serve his community as a local ward committeeman, in addition to his work here in Congress. And on election day, his political organization is something to behold, an operation most elected officials would only dream of.

What some of my colleagues may not know is his expertise goes beyond transportation and government to include an exhaustive knowledge of the White Sox and baseball. Bill Lipinski has served the people of the Third Congressional District of Illinois with dedication and skill for 11 terms. Now as Bill prepares to leave the House after 22 years of service, those of us in the Illinois delegation wish him only the very, very best and look forward to welcoming his son Dan as part of our delegation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back to my colleague from Illinois.

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