[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 38 (Friday, March 1, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING TOM SKILLING

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 1, 2024

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate one of the 
most renowned and beloved figures in Chicago, meteorologist Tom 
Skilling. Tom, a 9th Congressional District resident, has worked for 45 
years on WGN-TV, enthusiastically and accurately providing weather 
forecasts to Chicagoland. His lifelong passion for weather and his 
connection with his audience has earned him a place in the hearts and 
history of this city and beyond. I am proud and honored to call him a 
friend. As he embarks on his well-deserved retirement and starts his 
next chapter, we offer our sincerest gratitude for bringing his 
sunshine to our TV screens for decades.
  I commend Tom Skilling for his unrelenting and contagious dedication 
to the weather. As a boy growing up on the East Coast, he studied 
weather maps purchased with his allowance. Tom moved to Aurora, 
Illinois in 7th grade and brought with him a passion for meteorology so 
strong he had to share it with the world. At only 14 years old, Tom 
gave the forecast on the local radio station WKKD before attending 
class at West Aurora High School.
  Upon completing his studies in meteorology and journalism at the 
University of Wisconsin, Tom embarked on a career that made him a 
Chicago area legend. Joining the team at WGN-TV, Tom accomplished what 
no other did before him--he didn't just say what the weather was, he 
told us why it was happening. Bringing a level of accessibility and 
authenticity like no other, Tom connected with viewers' hearts and 
minds.
  Tom's last day on the air brought a 70-degree day in February, 
followed by rain and strong winds and a steep drop in temperatures. Tom 
speaks with tremendous knowledge and gravitas about climate change 
science, and the dangers of not acting to protect our planet. He has 
travelled across the country, including to Washington, to talk about 
``climate disruption,'' and led a special series on WGN called 
Forecast--A Fragile Climate. He speaks about climate change frequently. 
I know first hand, since we participated together in a climate change 
forum several years ago.
  He has and earned honorary doctorates at universities and colleges, 
but I'm sure none of those mean as much to Tom as the love and 
admiration of the millions of viewers who have trusted him to tell them 
about their weather and their environment for the last 45 years.
  As his next chapter arrives Tom's lifetime love for weather persists. 
We are grateful for Tom's dedication and contribution to this city, and 
he will always be revered as Chicago's weatherman.

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