[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 172 (Thursday, December 5, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1805-E1806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THANKING THE PARTICIPANTS TO OUR FIRST ANNUAL 17TH CONGRESSIONAL 
                        DISTRICT ECONOMIC SUMMIT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHERI BUSTOS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 5, 2013

  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank everyone who 
participated in our First Annual 17th Congressional District Economic 
Summit on November 22, 2013 at Augustana College in Rock Island, 
Illinois.
  The Economic Summit, held in partnership with the University of 
Illinois, brought together community leaders from across our district 
to share economic development strategies and best practices to reduce 
unemployment, create jobs, and strengthen local economies.
  The Economic Summit was a huge success because of the participation 
of our excellent

[[Page E1806]]

speakers and attendees. I would like to give my sincere thanks to Dr. 
Lawrence Schook, Adam Pollet, Steven Bahls, Tara Barney, Dr. Thomas 
Baynum, Shannon Duncan, and Jeffrey Kaney, Sr. for their astute 
analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing our district and 
their willingness to work together to ensure that the 17th District is 
one of the best places to live, work, start a business, and raise a 
family.
  Our speakers included three exceptional educational leaders. Dr. 
Lawrence Schook is the Vice President for Research at the University of 
Illinois and is well known for his work as an educator, biomedical 
scientist, and entrepreneur. He also serves on the Illinois Innovation 
Council as well as the Board of Managers for the Argonne and Fermi 
National Laboratories. Steven Bahls is the President of Augustana 
College in Rock Island, Illinois and a recognized scholar in business 
law, agricultural law, and education. Dr. Thomas Baynum is President of 
Black Hawk College with campuses in Moline and Galva, Illinois. Under 
his leadership, Black Hawk College serves roughly 20,000 students in 
degree programs, continuing education, and vocational programs.
  Our panels also included prominent economic and community development 
leaders. We were fortunate to have Adam Pollet, the Director of the 
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Mr. Pollet 
guides and oversees the agency tasked with growing our state economy. 
Tara Barney is the President and CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber of 
Commerce, representing 2,000 businesses and 90,000 employees in the 
region. Shannon Duncan is a Planning Coordinator with the Western 
Illinois Regional Council and oversees community development work for 
many of the rural counties in Western Illinois. Lastly, Jeffrey Kaney, 
Sr. is the founder and CEO of the Kaney Group, an aerospace company in 
Rockford, Illinois. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and serves on 
the board of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council and is 
Chairman of the Rockford Area Aerospace Network (RAAN).
  Mr. Speaker, I want to sincerely thank everyone who participated and 
helped make our Economic Summit such a success. While there's much work 
to be done, I have high hopes for our region and look forward to 
building on the partnerships forged at the event.

                          ____________________