[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO WEST SUBURBAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 1996 AWARDS HONOREES

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 1996

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to five 
outstanding individuals and three organizations in my district who were 
recently honored for public service and volunteerism by the West 
Suburban Chamber of Commerce (WSCC).
  Mr. Lawrence Kinports of LaGrange, IL, was named as the WSCC's 
Citizen of the Year. Mr. Kinports, a retired business executive and 
current LaGrange trustee, is renowned in the community for his 
volunteer work. He serves as an active member of the boards of numerous 
organizations, including the Southwest Suburban Center of Aging and the 
Community Extension Project, which serves the youth of his community. 
In addition, Mr. Kinports has been previously recognized by this Member 
with my Senior Citizen of the Year Award.
  WSCC Man of the Year Ronald Henrickson of LaGrange is another 
individual who can't say no when it comes to giving of his time and 
talents. He is a member of LaGrange's Economic Development/
Redevelopment Commission, sits of the board of directors of the 
Richport YMCA, and volunteers with Mainstreet LaGrange, a redevelopment 
group in the community.
  Ms. Linda Johnson of Western Springs, IL, the Chamber's Woman of the 
Year, is a successful small-business owner who also finds time for her 
community. She has been especially active in expanding opportunities 
for girls and young women, serving as board member of the Whispering 
Oaks Girl Scout Council and is a past president of the LaGrange 
Business and Professional Women's Organization. Ms. Johnson also sits 
on the Western Springs Economic Development Commission and the WSCC 
Board of Directors, and is the immediate past president of the Western 
Springs Business Association.
  Mayor Carl LeGant of Countryside, IL, the WSCC's Public Servant of 
the Year, represents all that is good about government service. Mayor 
LeGant is a true pioneer in his community. He was active in 
Countryside's incorporation in 1959 and has served in city government 
since 1963. His honesty and devotion to his community are unquestioned, 
and after scandal rocked Countryside's government nearly 20 years ago, 
Carl LeGant was elected Mayor and helped restore the people's faith in 
their municipal leaders.
  Mr. James Durkan of Indian Head Park, IL was recognized with the 
Outstanding Community Service by an Individual Award. Mr. Durkan serves 
as president of the Community Memorial Fund, which distributes funds 
for health and wellness projects throughout the community. He is also 
active in the LaGrange Kiwanis Club and received the LaGrange Community 
Nurse Service Association's Outstanding Service Award in 1993 and 
currently serves on the Chamber's board of directors.
  Other WSCC award winners include the Rich Port YMCA as the 
Outstanding Community Service Organization. The Y, a true landmark in 
LaGrange, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary of serving 15 area 
communities. More than 200,000 people utilize the Rich Port YMCA each 
year.
  Winners of the Chamber's Beautification Award include Burcor 
Properties of LaGrange and Courtright's Restaurant of Willow Springs, 
IL. Burcor and its owner, Jerry Burjan, a former WSCC Man of the Year, 
have done much to improve downtown LaGrange, including renovating a 
number of commercial buildings. William and Rebecca Courtright, owners 
of Courtright's, painstakingly preserved the surrounding natural beauty 
of a sweeping, wooded hill when they constructed their restaurant in 
Willow Springs.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce 
honorees on their contributions to the community and wish them and the 
WSCC much success in the future.

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