[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 37 (Thursday, March 20, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E528-E529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MAYOR PAUL J. MURPHY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 1997

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the work, and 
dedication of a great community leader, Mayor Paul J. Murphy who has 
served the community of La Salle for more than 40 years.
  Mayor Murphy began his long and distinguished record of service at 
the age of 17 by enlisting in the U.S. Navy and serving our country 
from 1945 to 1949. He continued to defend America through service in 
the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1952.
  Paul Murphy joined the La Salle-Peru Civil Defense in 1958 and began 
his political career with an appointment as a Democratic precinct 
committeeman in La Salle's first ward in 1959.
  Mayor Murphy continued to build his record of community service as a 
member of the La Salle County Zoning Commission from 1967 to 1971. He 
won his first public elected office in 1973 as La Salle township 
assessor in 1973--a position he held until 1981. During this time, 
beginning in 1979, Mayor Murphy became an auditor for the State of 
Illinois Board of Education 1989.
  As the La Salle community became increasingly aware of Paul Murphy's 
ability, his career as a local elected official flourished with his 
election as La Salle township supervisor in 1981; his reelection as 
supervisor in 1985; and, finally, his election as mayor of the city of 
La Salle in 1989; and his resounding reelection as mayor in 1993.
  During his two terms as mayor, Paul Murphy has compiled an enviable 
record of accomplishment and achievement. Foremost among his 
accomplishments is his successful effort to extend the city of La 
Salle's boundaries dramatically to the east--thus opening the door of 
major economic opportunity and

[[Page E529]]

new jobs for the citizens of La Salle and the surrounding area. Mayor 
Murphy's innovative efforts to address the critical infrastructure 
problems of the city of La Salle and his vision in seeing the potential 
of the UnLock 14 project to rejuvenate downtown La Salle will also be 
long remembered and appreciated.
  Mayor Paul Murphy has been a tireless public servant and community 
supporter. His many years of service leave a proud legacy of 
accomplishment and a strong foundation of achievement on which the city 
of La Salle can build a better future for its citizens. Given the high 
regard in which Paul Murphy's integrity and common sense are held by 
his peers and fellow citizens, I have no doubts that even after 
retirement, he will remain an influential and respected leader in the 
community he so proudly served.
  Mayor Paul Murphy will preside over his last city council meeting on 
Monday, March 24, 1997, before retiring from local government service.

                          ____________________