[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 28, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING WILLIAM JP BANKS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 28, 2009

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the long and 
distinguished career of Chicago Alderman William JP Banks. On August 
31, 2009, Alderman William JP Banks will retire from his career in 
public service after 26 years.
  Born in the Galewood-Montclare community, Alderman Banks graduated 
from DePaul University and the DePaul University College of Law, never 
straying far from his Chicago roots and the city he went on to serve 
for so long. He and his wife, Shirley, have lived in and have raised 
their two children, Lisa and Joseph, in this same community.
  In 1983, Mr. Banks won a seat in the City Council and has since 
become the highest ranking Italian-American in the Council's history. 
Throughout his illustrious career in public service, Alderman Banks has 
stood out as the Chairman of the City Council's Committee on Zoning, 
where he created an incentive program that has generated more than $12 
million for affordable housing developments in neighborhoods throughout 
the city. Additionally, he has authored and co-sponsored hundreds of 
legislative initiatives benefitting the people of Chicago that promote 
responsible government, support our troops and improve law enforcement.
  Mr. Banks' role in the community did not stop in his office. It would 
be impossible to list all of Mr. Banks' involvements with community 
organizations, but a select few show his wide-reaching involvement with 
all members of his community. For example, he is an active member of 
the Galewood-Montclare Community Organization, the North Austin 
Business Association, the Polish National Alliance, and the Fraternal 
Order of Police, and is a Board Member of the Chicago Shriner's 
Hospital.
  One can judge a public servant's work by his community support, and 
looking at Alderman Banks' accolades, one can see how invaluable he has 
been to his constituents. He has received more than 600 awards from 
Youth Sports Activities and Educational programs throughout the city, a 
Friends of Downtown award, and numerous Person of the Year awards from 
organizations throughout Chicago.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate and thank William Banks for his lengthy 
and influential career and his many outstanding contributions to the 
city of Chicago. I wish him the best of luck and continued happiness in 
his retirement and all his future endeavors.

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