[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 173 (Friday, October 20, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





         HONORING TOM SKILLING FOR A REMARKABLE 45-YEAR CAREER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL FOSTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 20, 2023

  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today along with my 
colleague, Representative Mike Quigley, to celebrate one of 
Chicagoland's very own, legendary meteorologist Tom Skilling, and his 
45-year career as a beloved presence on our local airwaves as he 
embarks on his well-deserved retirement.
  As the longtime chief meteorologist for WGN-TV, Tom Skilling has been 
one of the most trusted figures on television screens throughout the 
Chicago area for decades, expertly and calmly explaining the region's 
often unpredictable weather situations for generations of viewers.
  I am especially proud to say that Tom Skilling is an Aurora, Illinois 
native, and a proud graduate of West Aurora High School. After 
completing his studies at the University of Wisconsin, Tom worked 
briefly on local television stations in Madison and Milwaukee before 
landing at WGN-TV, where he quickly became a daily fixture in 
households throughout Chicago and the suburbs.
  Those of us who know Tom and have worked with him over the course of 
his career know how passionate he is about his work and how talented he 
is at communicating often complex scientific data to people of all ages 
and backgrounds. But his greatest strength is the kindness with which 
he treats everyone he interacts with; he is always ready to greet a fan 
with a warm smile and meaningful conversation.
  Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
celebrating Tom Skilling and his decades of service to the Chicagoland 
community and offer him our most sincere best wishes on the next 
chapter of his life.

                          ____________________