[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 5, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E743-E744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO VINCE DEMUZIO, ILLINOIS STATE SENATOR AND MAJORITY LEADER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2004

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory 
of an exceptional statesman from Illinois, Senate Majority Leader Vince 
Demuzio. Throughout his career, Senator Demuzio has been a tremendous 
leader for the State of Illinois. His efforts in the Illinois Assembly, 
too numerous to even mention, serve as a model for each of us in public 
service.
  For twenty nine years, Senator Demuzio proved to be a true leader in 
the state legislature as he worked to represent the needs of his 
constituents while reaching out to all of his colleagues. Senator 
Demuzio was admired and respected on both sides of the aisle. His 
spirited partisanship, which included a reputation of being both tough 
and fair, brought members together across party lines, for the good of 
Illinois.
  Senator Demuzio consistently possessed a keen understanding of what 
it truly meant to be a public servant. Vince put the needs of his 
community first and foremost in everything he did. The people of 
Illinois have truly benefited from Senator Demuzio's legislative 
initiatives that included massive education reform, transportation 
projects, agricultural research, and necessary state-wide water and 
sewage improvements. He remained focused on state government throughout 
his entire political career and has greatly contributed to the 
development of downstate Illinois.
  Senator Demuzio's leadership and political abilities have been 
recognized by his colleagues throughout his entire career. Vince served 
as the state chairman of the Democratic Party from 1986 to 1990, 
becoming the first downstate official to hold the post in decades, 
giving the areas surrounding the 49th district a greater voice in the 
state government. In 2003, Senator Demuzio became the Dean of the 
Senate, having served more

[[Page E744]]

years than any other current member of the Illinois State Senate. 
Senator Demuzio is credited with rebuilding the infrastructure of the 
Illinois Democratic Party and the Illinois delegation stands united 
today as a result of his superb leadership.
  The Illinois Senate and the people of this state have lost a great 
leader. Mr. Speaker, I join the State of Illinois in mourning the loss 
of this statesman, and extend to Senator Demuzio's family my thoughts 
and prayers.

                          ____________________