[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 137 (Thursday, September 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      HONORING MAYOR JOHN HAMM III

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2011

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the dedicated community service of Madison, Illinois 
Mayor John Hamm III as he is recognized for his lifetime of community 
service by the Southwestern Illinois Chamber of Commerce of Madison 
County.
  As the Executive Director of the Madison County Housing Authority, 
John has taken the Authority to a new level of activity, constructing 
hundreds of new residential units and communities in southwestern 
Madison County. He has overseen the redevelopment of numerous homes and 
properties and created new housing opportunities for the people of our 
area. He has helped break ground and redevelop new housing facilities 
for seniors and low to moderate income families, giving many families a 
place to call home.
  Mayor Hamm has been a consistent, active participant in community 
service for Southwestern Illinois serving as a municipal representative 
on the Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan Area Planning Commission and 
East West Gateway Council of Governments.
  Both he and his wife, Carol, have been longstanding community 
supporters of Madison's schools and are active with sports groups, 
booster clubs and many service organizations within the community.
  In his longstanding roles, first as a City Council Member in 1987 and 
then as Mayor of the City of Madison beginning in 1997, Mayor Hamm has 
been a champion for his local community. He has undertaken aggressive 
steps to rid the community of over 100 derelict properties and has 
worked tirelessly to bring in new businesses, such as Abengoa Bio 
Energy, Mattingly Lumber and Gateway International Raceway. He has been 
successful in securing both state and federal grants and funding for a 
new fire station, parks and walking trails and was instrumental in 
securing the Chain of Rocks Bridge as a tourist destination.
  As a Commissioner of the Tri City Regional Port District since 1997, 
Mayor Hamm has been an active leader in developing the Port District, 
working with my office to help in the transfer of the former U.S. Army 
Charles Melvin Price Support Center to the Port in 2000. During the 
last several years, over $325 million in both public and private 
investment has been made at the Port with an annual economic impact of 
over $200 million to the regional economy.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of 
appreciation to Mayor John Hamm in recognition of his years of service 
as a community leader and to wish him and his family the very best in 
the future.

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