[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 72 (Thursday, May 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E839-E840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF MR. ROBERT WYDRA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2010

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing the distinguished career and regional 
contributions of Mr. Robert, Bob, Wydra, Executive Director of the Tri-
City Regional Port District.
  Bob Wydra has been with the Tri-City Regional Port District since 
1982. Under his leadership, the Port--which includes the former Melvin 
Price Army Depot--has been an economic engine for Southwestern Illinois 
and is

[[Page E840]]

developing into a true intermodal transportation facility. Prior to 
coming to the Port District, he was Director of Planning for 
Southwestern Illinois Planning Commission for 15 years. Bob also spent 
2 years with his wife, Kay, in India and Israel in Economic Development 
work as American Peace Corps volunteers.
  Bob has a Master's of Science Degree in Community Development and 
Regional Planning from Southern Illinois University--Edwardsville. He 
also has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Education from SIU-E.
  Bob is very active in numerous professional organizations. He is a 
member of the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones, St. Louis 
World Trade Center, Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals, Illinois 
Development Council, Southwestern Madison County Chamber of Commerce, 
Water Resource Congress, American Association of Port Authorities, St. 
Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association, Military Affairs 
Committee of the Leadership Council, St. Louis World Affairs Council, 
Southwestern Illinois Planning Commission Executive Committee, and 
Traffic Club of St. Louis. Bob is a Past President of the Illinois 
Association of Port Districts, board member of the Southwestern 
Illinois Leadership Council and member of US MARAD's Maritime System of 
the Americas Advisory Committee, among other committee positions.
  In addition to his professional affiliations, Bob has also found time 
to help with various community activities. He has been an active 
fundraiser for the United Way Tree of Lights Campaign and was Chairman 
for the Salvation Army for 2 years.
  Bob Wydra has received the St. Louis Commerce and Growth 
Association's ``Sold on St. Louis'' Award for promoting the St. Louis 
area in the world economy. In 2002, he received the ``Salute from 
Southwestern Illinois'' Award from the Leadership Council. The Port 
received the ``Outstanding Development of the Year'' Award in 2002 from 
the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority and, also in 2002, the 
``Marketing Award for Excellence'' from the National Association of 
Developers. Bob received the ``Art of Business Leadership'' Award from 
the Southwestern Madison County Chamber of Commerce in 2005.
  Bob has been married to Kay Lee Wydra for 45 years and they have two 
children: Nicole who lives in Glen Carbon, Illinois, with her husband, 
Kurt, and their two children, Trey and Caitlyn; and a son, Paul who 
lives in the Nashville, Tennessee, area.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of 
appreciation to Mr. Robert Wydra for his many contributions to the 
Southwestern Illinois and Metropolitan St. Louis regions and to wish 
him and his family the very best in the future.

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