[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A TRIBUTE TO THE RECIPIENTS OF THE WEST SUBURBAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S 
                             ANNUAL AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 4, 1997

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute today to five individuals 
and one organization for their outstanding contributions in making my 
district a better place to live and work. Their efforts are also being 
recognized by the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce, which will honor 
them at its 95th annual awards dinner February 8, 1997.
  The Chamber's Citizen of the Year is Hon. Timothy Hansen, who serves 
as the village president of LaGrange, IL. I have had the pleasure to 
work with President Hansen on solving a number of challenges facing his 
community, and I can say that his recognition is well-deserved. Mr. 
Hansen has served the community since 1981, including 4 years as its 
president and 4 years as a member of the board of trustees. His even-
handed management style and willingness to let all sides be heard on 
important issues has made President Hansen well-respected throughout 
his community.
  The Chamber's Man of the Year is Mr. William F. Hendrickson, the 
retired president of Hendrickson Manufacturing. Throughout his life, 
Mr. Hendrickson has been dedicated to improving both the business and 
civic climate of his community, serving on the boards of important 
businesses and charitable organizations. Some of the groups he has 
devoted his time and energies including the Rich Port YMCA, the 
Plymouth Place retirement community and the Chicago Youth Center.
  Ms. Cynthia Breunlin is being honored as the Chamber's Woman of the 
Year. Ms. Breunlin, the executive director of the West Cook Development 
Corp., has been involved with numerous community groups, including the 
NAACP and the Community Diversity organization in LaGrange. Ms. 
Breunlin, a former schoolteacher, has been honored for her community 
work by the Girl Scouts, Triton Junior College and School District 102. 
She is a recipient of the prestigious Medgar Evers Award from the 
NAACP.
  Mr. David Bennett, executive director of the West Central Municipal 
Conference [WCMC], is the chamber's Public Servant of the Year. At the 
WCMC, Mr. Bennett has worked to bring often diverse suburban Chicago 
communities together to solve common problems. Mr. Bennett not only 
works for these communities, he makes his home in the area as well. He 
is active in his church, St. John of the Cross in Western Springs, IL, 
as well as the American Heart Association.
  Mr. Robert Breen, is being recognized for Outstanding Community 
Service by an Individual. This award is especially appropriate as the 
name ``Breen'' is synonymous with public service in his community. He 
and his family have been the driving force behind the annual Pet 
Parade, a trademark event in LaGrange where the community comes 
together for a day of fun and creativity for all ages. Mr. Breen, who 
also helps manage his family's extensive dry-cleaning business, is also 
a recognized leader in the fabricarce industry, as well as his local 
business community.
  The Chamber's Outstanding Community Organization this year is the 
LaGrange Community Nurse and Service Association, which is celebrating 
75 years of service. While LaGrange Community Nurse and Service 
Association provides a wide array of health care services, the main 
focus is supplying primary care for low-income families who do not have 
insurance. The association also provides food for families in emergency 
situations and clothing and toys for needy children at Christmas.
  Mr. Speaker, I salute these five outstanding individuals and one 
great organization on their good work, and give them my best wishes for 
continued success in serving the people of their community in the 
future.

                          ____________________