[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 101 (Friday, June 14, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING A DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT: DAVID LECIK

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 14, 2024

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished 
career of David Lecik. After 37 years of dedicated service in state 
government, 12 of which were spent working with the Illinois Department 
on Aging's Senior Health Insurance Program, Mr. Lecik will be retiring 
as Education Specialist and technical expert on Medicare and Medicaid, 
and he will be missed by many.
  Mr. Lecik served in the U.S. Air Force for 12 years while married to 
his wife Sheila and raising three children, Stephen, Dan, and Rosemary. 
His armed forces career started as a dental assistant, and he later 
retrained in computer operations. He was stationed in Maryland, 
Southern Illinois, and Athens, Greece and rose to the rank of Master 
Sergeant.
  After the Air Force, Mr. Lecik worked for Victor J. Andrew High 
School in Tinley Park while earning a bachelor's degree in psychology 
at Governors State University. In 1997 he was hired by the State of 
Illinois at the Department of Human Services (DHS) and worked as a 
Human Service Caseworker and Staff Development Specialist. The work at 
DHS laid the foundation for his incredible ability to teach advocates 
and counselors on Medicare and the many benefits that are offered to 
Illinois citizens.
  Mr. Lecik joined The Senior Health Insurance Program-SHIP in 2012 and 
mastered the Medicare program. David's dedication to serving older 
adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers across the State 
of Illinois is remarkable. His passion to ensure access to quality 
healthcare for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries has been at the 
forefront of his career. He shared his knowledge and talents with the 
1,000 SHIP counselors who work with both Medicare and Medicaid programs 
to assist eligible beneficiaries with lifesaving programs and benefits. 
He re-wrote the training manual for SHIP and restructured charts and 
desk aids that summarized difficult subjects for optimal understanding.
  His ability to explain the medical programs for seniors and the 
technical support he has given to hundreds of SHIP counselors is 
exceptional as he has championed high quality education and advocacy 
within in the SHIP program. Mr. Lecik has not only supported Medicare 
recipients by providing counseling to ensure they retain and navigate 
their health care benefits but has also been a pillar of support for 
Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselors and professionals 
throughout the State by helping them navigate the complex Medicare and 
Medicaid systems. He has provided countless older adults and 
professionals with the information needed to make informed decisions 
about their benefits and championed for the most vulnerable and limited 
income beneficiaries to ensure they have quality health coverage.
  Mr. Lecik has presented to numerous audiences such as retirement 
groups (City of Chicago, Cook County Courts system, and AFSCME), case 
managers, caseworkers, and advocates from every area of the state. 
During his career at SHIP and has attended and spoken at national 
conferences, the Age + Action conference, and has worked with 
legislators to bring Medicare/Medicaid education to beneficiaries in 
many local areas of the state. He has worked closely with Social 
Security outreach staff, liaisons with the Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services, and the state agency--Healthcare and Family 
Services. Dave is known throughout the country for his knowledge and 
expertise with SHIP. He never steers away from a challenge, and he 
sticks with an issue until it is solved to a successful end.
  On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I thank 
David Lecik for all the work he has done for the citizens of Illinois. 
We are so grateful for his invaluable service and wish him the best of 
everything in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________