[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7331]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




ALDERMAN JOHN J. BUCHANAN'S ACTIONS HAVE BENEFITED WARD 10 IN THE CITY 
                               OF CHICAGO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 1999

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the work and 
dedication of Alderman John J. Buchanan who is retiring after serving 
as Alderman for the 10th Ward in the City of Chicago for over 20 years.
  Alderman Buchanan is a life-long resident and public servant of the 
10th Ward. Alderman Buchanan attended St. Patrick's Grammar School and 
St. Francis de Sales High School, where he graduated as class 
Valedictorian. The only time Alderman Buchanan left the community was 
during his service in the U.S. Navy. After his service to our country, 
Alderman Buchanan returned to the 10th Ward and married his high school 
sweetheart, Lorraine Halbe. Alderman Buchanan and his wife have two 
children and five grandchildren.
  Alderman Buchanan's knowledge of business and industry comes from his 
richly diverse work background. At the age of 13, he was already 
working after school at Gassman's, a well-known men's store on 
Commerical Avenue. His work experiences include positions at the 
Aluminum Company of America, the U.S. Post Office and the Chicago Board 
of Education. Alderman Buchanan is also a licensed Stationary Engineer 
and has both a real estate broker's license and an insurance broker's 
license. It is probably Alderman Buchanan's experience as an insurance 
salesman that opened doors to his deeper understanding of the needs of 
the community. This path eventually led the Alderman to a life in the 
public arena.
  Alderman Buchanan was first elected to office in 1963 and served the 
community until 1971. From 1972 until 1977, he served as a Coordinator 
of Economic Development for the Chicago Mayor's Office. While in this 
position, he successfully instituted programs for the retention and 
attraction of new business and industry. In 1991, Alderman Buchanan was 
once again elected to serve as Alderman of the 10th Ward in the City of 
Chicago. His City Council Committee memberships included Aviation; 
Budget and Government Relations; Rules and Ethics; Economic and Capital 
Development; Finance, Human Relations; Police and Fire.
  In honor of Alderman Buchanan's distinguished career, I have 
introduced federal legislation to change the name of the Hegewish Post 
Office to John J. Buchanan U.S. Post Office. I am also pleased to 
report that at my request, every member of the Illinois Congressional 
Delegation has agreed to support this legislation.
  My Speaker, I urge this body to identify and recognize others in 
their own districts whose careers and actions have so greatly benefited 
and strengthened America's communities.

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