[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING ROBERT WILKINS FOR HIS SERVICE TO SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE BOST

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2022

  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Robert Wilkins for 
his service to Southern Illinois. Bob was hired by the U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers in 1973 and served as the Operations Manager at the 
Carlyle Lake Project Office, Kaskaskia River Project and Jerry F. 
Costello Lock and Dam over the years.
  During his nearly 47 years of service, Mr. Wilkins was involved with 
working groups including the Kaskaskia Watershed Association, Carlyle 
Lake Association, Lower Kaskaskia Stakeholders and Okaw River Basin 
Coalition. These groups consist of federal and state agencies, 
community leaders and stakeholders who develop solutions to service the 
Kaskaskia Watershed, which covers about 10 percent of Illinois.
  Bob's efforts to obtain funding for the operation and maintenance of 
the lock and dam and the support of commercial towing on the Kaskaskia 
have allowed Southern Illinois Transfer, Kaskaskia River Terminals, and 
Kaskaskia Shipyard to expand commercial navigation on the river. To 
commemorate his work, including 20 years as operations manager of the 
Kaskaskia River Project and Jerry F. Costello Lock and Dam, the 
shipyard has named the next vessel in the retractable wheelhouse 
towboat series after Bob.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mr. Robert Wilkins on 
this momentous occasion. I thank Bob for his service to our Southern 
Illinois communities and congratulate him on his retirement.

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