[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 55 (Monday, March 27, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S951-S952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                      TRIBUTE TO COLLEEN CALLAHAN

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, since 1987, we have recognized March as 
Women's History Month. It is an opportunity to honor the women who have 
served our Nation throughout our history.
  This March, I want to commend one woman who has devoted her life to 
serving my home State of Illinois: Colleen Callahan. After nearly 4 
years of service, Colleen recently stepped down from her role as the 
first-ever female director for the Illinois Department of Natural 
Resources. Throughout her tenure, Colleen was a dedicated steward of 
our State's natural wonders, all while navigating a once-in-a-century 
pandemic. While this was an historic challenge, it was far from the 
first she has faced in her career. Time and again, Colleen has stood up 
in the face of adversity and persevered.
  Colleen has a record of breaking down barriers. As a young woman 
living on a family farm near Milford, IL, she took a keen interest in 
agriculture, which, back then, was something of a boy's club. But that 
didn't stop her from pursuing her childhood passion. She participated 
in livestock shows and even achieved the title of Youngest Exhibitor of 
a Grand Champion at the International Livestock Exhibition in Chicago 
at just 9 years old. Despite her talent and success, Colleen was unable 
to join the Future Farmers of America, not because of merit, but 
because women were not yet eligible for consideration. But she pressed 
on.
  After high school, Colleen attended the University of Illinois at 
Urbana-Champaign, and pursued a degree in agricultural communications, 
at a time when very few women were represented in broadcast journalism. 
As a freshman in college, she became the first woman to join the 
Illinois State 4-H Livestock Judging Team, a true full-circle moment. 
By the time she graduated with honors in 1973, she had already accepted 
her first job as an agribusiness reporter for WMBD-TV in Peoria. For 
the next three decades, Colleen made her dream of becoming a broadcast 
journalist a reality.
  And her record of accomplishment was just beginning. After years as a 
successful reporter, Colleen became the first-ever female agribusiness 
director for WMBD-TV. Shortly after, she served as the first female 
president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Being the 
``first'' is never easy, but, as evidenced by her remarkable career, 
Colleen has never been afraid to venture into new territory. And, 
because of her determination, she has opened many doors that have 
previously been closed to women in agriculture.
  In addition to her passion for broadcasting and agriculture, Colleen 
also has answered the call to public service. Really, she was born for 
it. Colleen comes from a family of true public servants: Her uncle, 
Gene Callahan, was a dear friend of mine, and a lifelong Democrat whom 
I worked alongside under former U.S. Senator, and my mentor and friend, 
Paul Simon. And Gene's daughter--Colleen's cousin--is former 
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, who represented Illinois' 17th 
Congressional District from 2013 to January of this year--not to 
mention her father, Francis Callahan, who was chair of the Iroquois 
County Democrats, and her grandfather, Joe Callahan, who was vice 
chairman of the Iroquois County Democrats and a member of the Illinois 
State House of Representatives.
  So it was no surprise when Colleen announced she was running for 
Illinois' 18th Congressional District in 2008. While she may have come 
up just short in that race, Colleen speaks fondly of the experience. 
She once said, ``Not winning doesn't mean losing!''
  But still, Colleen went on to win countless victories for the people 
of Illinois. Shortly after her run for Congress, then-President Barack 
Obama appointed her to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 
Illinois State Director of Rural Development.
  And in March 2019, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker appointed her as 
director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, making her 
the first woman in Illinois history to hold this position. The Illinois 
Department of Natural Resources helps manage our more than 400 State 
parks, historic sites, wildlife, and water resources. Colleen had about 
a year to get her bearings as director until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. 
And during this unprecedented and tumultuous time, she certainly rose 
to the occasion. She preserved and expanded our State's invaluable 
natural resources at the exact moment they were needed. During the 
darkest days of the pandemic, Illinoisans sought comfort and quality 
time outdoors. So our State parks, historical sites, and natural areas 
became a sanctuary for many--and Colleen was there for our families 
every step of the way.
  In 2021, she spearheaded the effort to re-name an invasive species of 
fish--previously known as Asian carp--to ``Copi,'' short for the word 
``copious,'' given how abundant the carp is in Illinois rivers and 
streams.
  And, after a consistent, decades-long decline in general revenue 
funding for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Colleen 
secured the department's largest State budget in more than 20 years, 
which is now funding long overdue improvements at sites across our 
State. Today, Colleen's hard work is paying off. With these new funds, 
she has played a hand in reopening the Rend Lake Resort, located in 
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park in Franklin, IL. For a long time, the Rend 
Lake Resort served as Franklin's economic powerhouse, but after years 
of neglect and financial troubles, the resort had no option but to 
prepare for permanent closure. Its future seemed bleak until Colleen 
stepped in and saved the day. And later this year, the department will 
break ground on a $17.5 million renovation that will revamp the 
facility and breathe fresh life into Rend Lake Resort.
  This investment, along with Colleen's efforts to reduce Illinois' 
carbon footprint and mitigate the effects of climate change, has and 
will make a difference in the lives of every Illinoisan. While Colleen 
has closed this chapter of her distinguished career, she, thankfully, 
has no plans to fully retire from public life. For her, there is still 
much left to be done.
  I want to thank Colleen for her dedication to public service and for 
never

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being afraid to shatter a few glass ceilings along the way. She is a 
trailblazer and a role model to many. Illinois is truly grateful for 
her contributions to our great State. Loretta and I wish Colleen and 
her husband Dick much happiness in their next chapter.

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