[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 75 (Friday, May 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E921-E922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO NELSON ``NELLIE'' HAGNAUER

                                 ______


                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 1996

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
American, a dedicated public servant, a devoted family man, and a good 
friend, Nelson ``Nellie'' Hagnauer of Madison County, Illinois.
  Nellie passed away last Saturday, May 18, at his home in Granite 
City. In the days ahead, the thoughts and prayers of Nellie's friends 
are with his family--Bernie, Nip and Mary, Susy and Ron, Jamie, Molly, 
Ched and Janet, Ruth, and other relatives who loved and will always 
love Nellie Hagnauer.
  Nellie was an outstanding public servant. He served on the Madison 
County Board for 41 years, 24 as its chairman. He was also the Granite 
City Township Supervisor, serving in that position since 1961, and was 
elected chairman of the Madison County Transit District, serving in 
that position since 1988.
  He was always humble about his accomplishments and service, but his 
legacy to the

[[Page E922]]

people of Madison County and the entire region is enormous. Nellie 
spent most of his life in public service--or as he called it, 
``politics''--and he loved every minute of it.
  He knew what Tip O'Neill knew, that all politics is local. He was 
proud to be the Democratic Committeeman in his precinct, proud to be 
the county board member from his district, and to serve the people of 
Granite City as their township supervisor.
  Nellie was recognized throughout the state by leaders in government, 
politics, and business as a man with significant power in the state, 
county and region. People wanting to run for national and statewide 
office came to Nellie to seek his advice and counsel. I know--I was one 
of them.
  Nellie always used his power to help other people, and his influence 
can be seen throughout this entire region. As he often said, it was his 
desire to be firm, but fair.
  It was Nellie's vote on the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council, 
where he had served as Chairman, that helped bring MetroLink light rail 
to the region. It was Nellie's willingness to get involved that helped 
us save Scott Air Force Base and keep the Charles Melvin Price Support 
Center open in Granite City. And, it was Nellie who pushed me to bring 
Federal funds ``home'' for a new Clark Bridge in Alton.
  Locally, Nellie's leadership was responsible for the new county 
Administration building, and a new county jail in Edwardsville. And, 
because of his dedication as head of the transit district, we have 
excellent transit service for the people who need it in Madison County.
  And, let's not forget the Township Building. He was so proud that he 
was able to bring a new building for the people of Granite City 
Township--particularly for the senior citizens--they held countless 
events in it since its opening in 1978.
  I guess what I admired about Nellie Hagnauer as much as anything was 
that Nellie was always Nellie. If he was being inducted into the 
Softball Hall of Fame, sitting at his desk in his Edwardsville or 
chairing a county board meeting, he never changed. Not even in a 
meeting at the State House, or at the White House with President 
Clinton, or for that matter, needling his friends at a local get-
together--Nellie was always Nellie.
  The only thing he loved more than public service or politics was his 
family and friends, in that order. He never forgot where he came from 
or the people who helped him along the way. We will remember him for 
who he was, as a public servant, husband, father and grandfather--and 
as a good friend.
  Mr. Speaker, several of my colleagues in the Illinois congressional 
delegation knew Nellie Hagnauer as well, and I know they join me in 
asking the other members of the United State Congress to recognize the 
contributions of one decent, honorable and hardworking man--my good 
friend, Nellie Hagnauer.

                          ____________________