[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 37 (Friday, March 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   DARIEN'S 2003 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JUDY BIGGERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2003

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Father Gavin 
Quinn, the 2003 Citizen of the Year for Darien, Illinois.
  The City of Darien lies within Illinois' 13th Congressional District. 
Because of residents like Father Quinn, Darien easily lives up to its 
motto--``a nice place to live.''
  If you happen to find yourself in Darien, there is a good chance that 
you will hear Father Quinn's name mentioned, not only by members of his 
church community, but also among the many other residents of Darien. He 
seeks out anyone who can use a helping hand or a friend. He is 
especially valued for his work with teenagers, single parents and the 
sick and dying. Regularly visiting hospitals, he works to lift the 
human spirit or offer a willing ear.
  Father Gavin is best described by one of his fellow citizens, who 
said: ``He is an extraordinary man who knows how to identify people in 
need and find a way of ministering to them. Father Gavin is a very 
compassionate man who reaches out to people of all faiths and in all 
walks of life. In short, I can think of no one who has made Darien a 
better place to live than Father Gavin Quinn.''
  I could not agree more. Father Quinn is the kind of person who 
transforms a city into a community. Congratulations to Father Gavin 
Quinn, Darien's 2003 Citizen of the Year.

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