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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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleagues as we all come to pay tribute to our good friend, BILL LIPINSKI.

BILL has served as a Member of Congress for over 20 years and is the senior Democratic member of the Illinois delegation. Of course, I first met him when we were both members of the Chicago City Council, although he found that a good place to be away from, and he got away just as quickly as he could and came to Congress.

BILL LIPINSKI has earned the well-deserved reputation for fairness among his colleagues in the Illinois delegation and in the House as a whole. He never hesitates to reach out to his colleagues across the aisle to help serve our Nation's interests. He has done much for Illinois' Third Congressional District, the City of Chicago, and our country as a whole.

As a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, he has ensured that Chicago's area transportation system has gotten the funding it needs to continue to serve the residents of the region. He has also enabled the upgrade of the Chicago Transit Authority's rail lines, as well as the extension and upgrade of a number of metro rail lines.

Mr. Lipinski's service on the House Subcommittee on Aviation has been especially important to the residents of Chicago and the area. He has helped to improve the region's currently overburdened airport facilities. He was instrumental in reducing delays at O'Hare International Airport through the elimination of the unnecessary slot rule. Additionally, he has ensured that Chicago's airport facilities remain state-of-the-art.

It is impossible for me to walk through the vastly and beautifully improved terminals at Midway Airport without thinking of Bill Lipinski's great contribution to our city.

Bill understands the art and relevance of political organizing and local base-building. As Democrat committeeman of the 23rd ward in Chicago, he leads and commands one of the most loyal and effective political groups in the State. He is a great family man and neighborhood person. He is loyal to both his community and to his family.

Bill, you have been a great friend, and best wishes to you and your wife as you get an opportunity to spend more time together in your beloved southwest side of Chicago. And I also want to take this opportunity to wish your son Dan well as he joins us. And as you go, in the words of an old Irish proverb, let me just say to you: "May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind always be at your back, may the sun shine warmly upon your face, and the rains fall softly upon your fields. And, until we meet again, may the good Lord hold you in the hollow of his hand."

Mr. Speaker, I yield back to my colleague.

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