[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO BENJAMIN S. ADAMOWSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 6, 1997

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory 
of an outstanding civic leader from the city of Chicago.
  Mr. Benjamin S. Adamowski, a Chicago native and former political 
leader in Illinois, dedicated his life to serving the citizens of the 
land of Lincoln. Mr. Adamowski began his political career in 1930 as 
the Democratic candidate for the 25th senatorial district in Illinois. 
He represented the largest senatorial district in the State of Illinois 
for five consecutive terms. Mr. Adamowski forged a close relationship 
with the late Mayor Richard J. Daley and Federal Judge Abraham Lincoln 
Marovitz. This triumvirate from Chicago emerged in the 1950's as the 
most powerful and respected leaders in Illinois.
  However, the relationship between Daley and Adamowski soured in 1955. 
Mr. Adamowski severed ties with the Democratic Party and its leader 
over differences of opinion on their slate of candidates. Consequently, 
Adamowski switched political parties and won election as Cook County 
States Attorney. He served only one term but remained a fixture in 
Chicago politics and the Policy-American community. Later, Mr. 
Adamowski renewed ties with Richard J. Daley and served as an confidant 
to the late mayor.
  Throughout his life, Ben Adamowski was a voracious reader, a student 
of history, and most importantly a dignified leader. The Policy-
American statesman from the Northwest side was a crusader for 
preserving the history of illinois including an extensive collection of 
Abraham Lincoln memorabilia that recently was donated to the Chicago 
Public Library. It is only fitting that a man who helped to shape 
Chicago history be recognized and honored.
  The political career of Mr. Adamowski is a fine example of an 
extraordinary civic leader. Mr. Speaker, I salute Benjamin S. Adamowski 
for his profound influence in the city of Chicago. I hope that 
Adamowski's passion for history, political prestige, and civil 
leadership will forever linger in the minds of Chicago politicians in 
the years to come.

                          ____________________