[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 134 (Thursday, October 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING SHELDON LATZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 20, 2005

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sheldon Latz who was 
named the 2004 Urban County Engineer of the Year award from the 
National Association of County Engineers during its annual conference. 
Sheldon was recently named Urban Engineer of the Year by the Illinois 
Association of County Engineers. That nomination put him in the running 
for the national award.
  Sheldon has been employed by Will County since June 11, 1961 and has 
been the County Engineer since 1996. When Sheldon first started working 
for the County, Interstate 55 was new and Interstate 80 did not even 
exist. A lot of the local roads were graveled and less than two lanes 
wide. Today, those same roads are paved and are four or five lanes 
wide. Will County has gone from a quiet rural area to one of the 
fastest growing counties in the United States. According to Sheldon, he 
is most proud of the CenterPoint development in Elwood which is located 
on the former Joliet Arsenal property. Bringing roads into the 
development has been a highlight of his career.
  Sheldon's dream as a child was to be an engineer. He has a passion 
for road work that has never left his system. His love for the 
profession has prompted Sheldon to become a Joliet Junior College 
Adjunct Professor in 1974 where he has taught several courses in 
architecture, engineering and construction. Sheldon served in the 
United States Army as an Army medic and a Preventive Medicine 
Specialist teaching sewage and water treatment process and prevention 
of water borne diseases.
  Not content to stay on the sidelines, Sheldon also serves on several 
local boards which includes Howell Shooting Club and the Howell Youth 
Shooting Camp. The camp gives girls and boys an opportunity to come 
together under a formal program to experience and grow in their 
appreciation of shooting sports. Sheldon and his wife Janice have four 
children and seven grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge this body to identify and recognize other 
individuals in their own districts whose actions have so greatly 
benefitted and strengthened America's families and communities.

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