[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E91-E92]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING PROSPECT HEIGHTS MAYOR NICHOLAS J. HELMER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2022

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to share my deepest 
condolences with the family and friends of Prospect Heights Mayor 
Nicholas J. Helmer, who passed away on January 26. Nick was a wonderful 
person, a talented leader, and a great friend. My heart goes out to his 
wife of 57 years, Gail Ann, his children, Rebecca and Nicholas Jr., and 
all those who knew and loved him.
  Nick spent ten years as the Mayor of Prospect Heights. He lovingly 
referred to his community as ``Prosperous Heights'' and worked hard 
each and every day to make that label ring true. Over the course of 
Mayor Helmer's tenure, I have had many opportunities to work closely 
with him. Nick was level-headed, intelligent, and committed to the 
people he represented. He truly exemplified the best of public service. 
Nick provided sound leadership and guidance as the City navigated 
challenges

[[Page E92]]

and continued to grow and flourish. Nick loved Prospect Heights. He was 
always eager to participate in the ribbon cuttings and festivals and 
grand openings. When a 2018 fire displaced hundreds of Prospect Heights 
residents, Nick was in the thick of it, ensuring that displaced 
families received the assistance they so desperately needed. I am proud 
to have worked alongside him.
  In many ways, Nick Helmer's life is an example of the ``American 
Dream'' that so many of us strive to achieve. He was born in 1942 in 
the former Yugoslavia and moved to the United States at the age of ten. 
Nick married his high school sweetheart, Gail, and raised a family 
here. He was an Army veteran, spending time stationed in France where 
he worked as a newspaper reporter, a photographer, and a radio 
broadcaster.
  Nick was recognized as a leader at whatever he dedicated his time to. 
He worked as a licensed real estate broker and a certified property 
manager and rose to prominence in both fields. Nick spent time as the 
Director of the Chicago Board of Realtors and spent two terms as 
President of the Institute of Real Estate Management's Chicago Chapter, 
winning ``CPM of the Year'' during his service. He served as both the 
President of Inland Residential Sales Corporation and the Chairman of 
Inland Bank. Nick spent time working as an Asset Manager for the 
Chicago Executive Airport and ended up serving fourteen years on the 
Airport's Board of Directors. Nick spent thirty-five years coaching 
basketball at St. Viator High School, where he also served on the 
Distinguished Alumni Committee. The pattern here is obvious: when Nick 
Helmer did something, he did it well.
  Nick Helmer may have been soft spoken, but there was never any 
question whether he was a leader. We are all worse off with his 
passing. On behalf of a grateful nation, I thank Mayor Helmer, for all 
his hard work on behalf of others. We will miss him.

                          ____________________