[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 127 (Friday, October 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THE RETIREMENT OF U.S. REPRESENTATIVE BILL LIPINSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NICK J. RAHALL, II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 6, 2004

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, as we draw to the end of this, 108th 
Congress, we are about to lose Bill Lipinski to retirement. A valued 
friend, a highly respected colleague, and a great representative for 
his constituents in the Third District of Illinois, the southwest side 
of Chicago and suburban communities, Bill's presence will be missed 
around here.
  But our loss will turn out to be the gain of his lovely wife, Rose 
Marie, his two children and their spouses, and his two grandchildren, 
as he heads home to spend more time with his family and to reportedly 
lend his efforts to worthy causes around his lifelong home, southwest 
Chicago.
  In additions to his duties as a longtime congressman and ward 
committeeman, Bill has been my close colleague on the House 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee where I've personally been 
able to work with him and see him, up close, and in action.
  Over the course of the 108th Congress, he has served the 
Transportation Committee in the critical role of Ranking Member to the 
important Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, which has crafted the 
major, bipartisan, surface transportation and jobs bill, H.R. 3550, the 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users.
  Bill's contributions, along with those of my colleagues Don Young of 
Alaska, Jim Oberstar of Minnesota, and Tom Petri of Wisconsin, have 
been invaluable in getting us a bill that the House passed with 
overwhelming support from both sides of the political aisle, and that 
currently is being considered in conference by members of the House and 
the Senate.
  In the past, he has effectively used his skills to deliver millions 
of federal dollars to build the Chicago Transit Authority's Orange 
Line, and to provide for improvements to both Midway and O'Hare 
airports.
  Over the last 22 years, the time during which Bill has served both 
his constituents and this House so capably, he has won respect from his 
peers and established strong relationships with members on both sides 
of the aisle. The statements, here, of his colleagues in regard to his 
retirement provide testament to just how warmly he is regarded.
  Now, he will have more time to devote to his family. But, even if 
he's planning on getting away from this House, I don't really think 
Bill will be totally detaching himself from the political profession in 
which he has made such an indelible mark. Politics is in the family 
blood; his wife, Rose Marie, has served as a presidential elector for 
their home state of Illinois, and his son Dan is the Democrat nominee 
to succeed Bill in the Illinois Third District. So, Bill will have no 
option but to remain connected, even if only to keep up with the rest 
of his family.
  Bill, I salute you, and I will miss you, both personally and 
professionally, but I sincerely wish you well in your future endeavors.

                          ____________________