[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 128 (Friday, October 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1770-E1771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATIONS MAYOR EUGENE SIEGEL, VILLAGE OF CHICAGO RIDGE, 25 YEARS 
                           OF PUBLIC SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2000

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I offer my congratulations to Mr. 
Eugene L. Siegel, a friend and colleague from the Third Congressional 
District of Illinois, whom recently celebrated 25 years in public 
service as the Mayor of Chicago Ridge, Illinois.
  Mayor Siegel is a hardworking, devoted man. He is a long-time 
resident of Chicago. Gene and his late wife, Virginia, have four 
children, Gary, Janet, Andrew and Matthew, and four grandchildren, 
Steven, Bradley, Victoria and Alexandria. Gene became involved in 
politics in 1963, and since then, has been involved in public service 
on both the local and state levels.
  Mayor Siegel has always maintained an open door for all of his 
family, friends, constituents, and employees. He began working

[[Page E1771]]

in public service as the Deputy Coroner for Cook County Coroner's 
Office; a post he held for eight years. Throughout the 70's and 80's he 
served as the mayor of the Village of Chicago Ridge on a part-time 
basis. Then, in 1993, Gene was elected as the full-time mayor and has 
served in this capacity for the last seven years.
  Mayor Siegel is a man for the people. As mayor, he has been actively 
involved with people of all ages throughout the community that he 
serves. For example, he was instrumental in the development of a Senior 
Citizen Center and the establishment of the Youth Service Bureau with a 
Youth Director to counsel families and their children.
  As mayor, Gene has made remarkable economic, environmental and 
infrastructure improvements to the Village of Chicago Ridge. For 
example, he created a solvent tax base by implementing the development 
of both the Chicago Ridge Mall and the Commons of Chicago Ridge. He 
also was involved with the improvement of Ridgeland Avenue to establish 
commercial land use, the installation of an adequate water system with 
a two million gallon reservoir, and a plumbing station.
  Mayor Siegel has been instrumental in bringing economic prosperity to 
the community. He has proven to be a true asset to his family, friends 
and community. I am proud to have Mayor Siegel as a colleague of mine 
in the district.
  I wish to extend my heartiest congratulations to Mayor Siegel and his 
family as he celebrates 25 years in public service. This is a 
remarkable accomplishment and Mayor Siegel deserves great credit for 
the vast improvements and economic development that he has brought to 
the Village of Chicago Ridge. My best wishes to the Mayor and his 
family on this wonderful milestone.

                          ____________________