[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E33]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN REMEMBRANCE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIMOTHY OSMOND

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2003

  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, as Americans celebrated a season of renewal 
and the coming of the new year, many from northern Illinois observed 
the holidays with heavy hearts. In the days before Christmas, State 
Representative Timothy Osmond was taken from his family, friends and 
constituents by a sudden heart attack.
  It is my honor to call Tim both a colleague and a dear, dear friend. 
His advice was valuable to me and to his fellow members of the Illinois 
General Assembly. Tim approached public service with the same 
gentlemanly spirit with which he built his insurance business in 
Antioch, Illinois. As a businessman, he built a reputation as someone 
his customers could count on, someone who was a problem solver, and 
someone you knew would always give you a straight answer.
  In 1989, Tim was elected an Antioch Township Trustee, and went on to 
serve as Township Supervisor, before being elected to the Illinois 
House in 1999.
  In Springfield, Tim made friends quickly. One thing I appreciated 
most about Tim was that he thoroughly researched legislation, reading 
the full text of most bills. He was down-to-earth, a sincere and 
genuine man. It was that demeanor that defined his approach as a 
legislator. He saw every constituent as a neighbor, a customer and a 
friend, deserving his every effort, every day. That is why many 
constituents who never knew Tim personally felt touched by his service 
to the people of Illinois.
  Of course this loss is most deeply felt by the Osmond family. Tim's 
wife, JoAnne, and their children, Michael and Colleen, shared Tim with 
the community. This is the often unseen sacrifice of the spouses and 
children of those who serve in elective office. As the Osmond family 
bears this heartfelt loss, they can take solace in the respect and 
admiration Tim earned in public life, and the way in which he touched 
so many lives. I count myself among those helped by Tim. And while I 
will always be grateful for all Tim's professional help, it is our 
friendship I treasure most. He will be deeply missed.
  I offer the condolences of the Congress to his family. Local leaders 
honored his memory by appointing his widow to serve out his term in 
office. We wish JoAnne well and know that she, better than anyone else, 
will continue Tim's work.

                          ____________________