[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 44 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF MR. WILLIAM SCHMIDT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. J. DENNIS HASTERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2005

  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. William 
Schmidt, the Village President of Hampshire, Illinois, on his more than 
40 years of service and devotion to the Village and its residents. 
After arriving in Hampshire in 1945, Mr. Schmidt taught history at 
Hampshire High School for 23 years. His commitment to his students and 
to the community's young people is evident in his enduring 
relationships with many of these individuals.
  Bill Schmidt began his public service in 1980 as a Village Board 
member. He was subsequently elected to a 4-year term as Village Trustee 
in 1981. First elected as Village President in 1985, Mr. Schmidt was 
then elected to four additional successive terms, serving a total of 20 
years as Village President.
  During his tenure, Bill worked to ensure a diversified tax base for 
the Village by expanding the Village's boundaries to include the I-90 
and U.S. 20 interchange, securing more than $7 million in public 
investment that leveraged nearly $100 million in private investment, 
and securing new businesses that created more than 750 new jobs.
  Bill and his late wife, Dorothy, have helped to position Hampshire 
for a successful future by building on the community's history, values 
and respect for each of its citizens. I would like to extend my thanks 
to Bill Schmidt for his many years of service and dedication to the 
people of Hampshire, Illinois. The Village of Hampshire is certainly 
fortunate to have benefited from his talent and expertise for so many 
years.

                          ____________________