[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7190-S7191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                       TRIBUTE TO LARRY SUFFREDIN

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, one of the frustrations of local 
government is that good work tends to go unnoticed. If the streets are 
clean and the trains run on time, it can be easy to overlook the hours 
upon hours of work and collaboration that go into good governance.
  And in my home State of Illinois, we have a team of heroes working 
behind the scenes of local government every day, in the second-largest 
county in the country. They are the 17 members of the Cook County Board 
of Commissioners. And each one of them is responsible for funding Cook 
County's many agencies, keeping our streets safe, and providing 
oversight for everything from Chicago's courtrooms to one of the 
largest health systems in America.
  This year, one of Cook County's best is retiring after nearly 20 
years of effective, dedicated service to the 13th district. His name is 
Larry Suffredin. And I have been honored to count him as a friend and 
admire his leadership for many years.
  Larry entered office as a reformer, a title he has proudly lived up 
to since he was first elected to the board of commissioners in 2002. 
Over the past two decades, he has been a staunch advocate for the 
health and safety of his constituents--from Rogers Park to Glencoe--and 
an expert on the innerworkings of county government.
  But long before Larry was elected commissioner, his commitment to the 
people of Cook County was clear to anyone who knew him.

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  In fact, it is a commitment he demonstrated all the way back in the 
sixth grade, when he was hired for his first job: delivering newspapers 
to his neighbors in Westchester, IL. In Larry's words, it was a job 
that ``helped me figure out how to deal with people.'' And it meant 
waking up early in the morning, keeping close track over each stop on 
his route, and--occasionally--outrunning his neighbors' dogs.
  It was an experience that melded together two of Larry's great 
qualities: his assiduous attention to detail and his determination to 
help his community however he could.
  By the time Larry graduated high school, he had set his sights on a 
career in law. And after earning his bachelor's degree from Loyola in 
Chicago, he made his way to Washington, where he--like me--attended 
Georgetown Law. He actually received his J.D. just 3 years after me.
  With his law degree and sharp mind, Larry could have easily landed a 
comfortable job at a big law firm, but instead, he enlisted in the Air 
Force and served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
  After being honorably discharged, Larry returned home to Cook County 
to serve his community as an assistant public defender. In just 2 
years, he tried 32 cases to verdict.
  It was around this time that Larry started developing a reputation as 
an outstanding attorney. He distinguished himself in the courtroom with 
his knowledge of the law and a masterful command of the complexities of 
State government. Soon enough, the calls started flooding into Larry's 
office, and over the past several decades, he has been hired to argue 
cases before courts at every level, even the U.S. Supreme Court.
  But no matter how far his legal talents took him, Larry's heart 
always led him back to Chicagoland.
  And soon after Larry was elected to the board of commissioners, he 
emerged as one of Cook County's strongest advocates. Over the years, I 
have had the privilege of working alongside Larry. For instance, in 
2008, he was instrumental in saving the Cook County Health System from 
financial collapse. Under his leadership, the county created an 
independent health board, a decision that received criticism at the 
time but, in retrospect, was both courageous and wise. Thanks to Larry, 
the Cook County Health System is still in operation today, providing 
comprehensive care that would not have been possible without the 
creation of that independent board.
  As commissioner, Larry has also been a champion for transparency. One 
of his first accomplishments was codifying the Cook County code of 
ordinances for the first time ever. Now, that may not sound like a big 
deal, but for the residents of Cook County, it was a game changer; it 
meant that everyday citizens could keep tabs on the Cook County Board, 
along with the laws making their way through the legislative process. 
It was a testament to one of Larry's core values: that government works 
best when it is both clear and accessible. That is why, as 
commissioner, he has regularly held community meetings with his 
constituents--to personally answer their questions about newly enacted 
laws or provide his take on the latest county board meetings.
  If you ask Larry, he would likely tell you that one of his proudest 
accomplishments in county government is the work he has done as Forest 
Preserve Commissioner. Cook County's forest preserves encompass 70,000 
acres of wild, wonderful nature. In Larry's words, ``it's one of the 
most beautiful things we have . . . [the preserves hold] about 85 
percent of all the stormwater runoff in the area. It gives us oxygen, 
because of all the trees. There are so many things that this land does 
to improve the quality of life in our area that we just take for 
granted.''
  Well, under Larry's leadership, these forest preserves have never 
been taken for granted. In one of his last acts as commissioner, Larry 
pushed for a bond referendum to fund the cost of the preserves' 
restoration and maintenance. In last month's election, the referendum 
passed, with the vast majority of Cook County voters supporting it.
  Perhaps one of the only enemies that Larry has made throughout his 
years of service to Cook County is the gun lobby. Back in 2006, he 
spearheaded an ordinance banning assault weapons in Cook County. And 
that measure has withstood one legal challenge after another, making 
Larry one of the most effective advocates for gun safety reform in all 
of Illinois.
  It is hard to imagine Cook County government without Larry at the 
helm. But his legacy will be felt for years and decades to come by the 
more than 5 million Illinoisans who call Cook County home.
  For every resident appealing a property tax assessment or enjoying a 
sunny day by Bullfrog Lake, Larry has made a world of difference.
  Larry, I want to thank you for everything you have done for our 
friends and family in Chicagoland. I am grateful for your many years of 
partnership and friendship.
  Loretta and I look forward to celebrating your retirement with you, 
your wife Gloria, and your two children, who have grown up right before 
our eyes, Tom and Elizabeth.

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