[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 136 (Thursday, October 26, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING JOHN REDNOUR BEING NAMED OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2000

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in honoring a good friend and public servant, Mayor John Rednour, of 
DuQuoin, on being selected the Outstanding Citizen of the Year for 
lifetime achievement and service to the community.
  John Rednour's legacy with the City of DuQuoin is rooted in his deep 
commitment to the community and his policy of service above self. He 
has presided over the best of times in his community and also through 
times of adversity.
  John Rednour came from the small community of Cutler on the west side 
of Perry County Illinois. Coming from a hard working family, John 
realized early on the importance of community service. His involvement 
in several successful business ventures has led him to become the 
President of the DuQuoin State Bank and also to serve as the Mayor of 
DuQuoin.
  As DuQuoin's Mayor, John Rednour has presided over many development 
projects to help create jobs and improve the economy in DuQuoin and 
Perry County. He can count a new City Hall, Library and police 
department complex as part of his many achievements. Mayor Rednour 
prevailed upon me to secure federal funds to help build a new 3.2 
million dollar overpass and over 6 million dollars in sewer and water 
improvements. He led the effort to develop the DuQuoin Industrial Park. 
And created a program to protect property values. Mayor Rednour has 
also had every highway in and out of DuQuoin resurfaced.
  In terms of municipal services, John returned full-time staffing to 
both the police and fire departments and next year the City takes 
delivery on a new $450,000 aerial fire truck. To Mayor Rednour, fire 
protection is important, for the first time fire protection is 
available to all parts of the City. He also restored funding to 
emergency preparedness programs in the community.
  His longstanding relationships in both Springfield and Washington 
have provided DuQuoin with everything from Amtrak rail service to 
access to state and federal funds totaling over 22 million in recent 
years.
  Mayor Rednour's philosophy is simple and subscribes to the thinking 
that ``build it and they will come and believe in it and the money will 
be there.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring John Rednour 
and to recognize his commitment for public service to the community of 
DuQuoin, Illinois.

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