[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2235]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 TRIBUTE TO MAYOR RAYMOND J. WIECZOREK

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay 
tribute to Mayor Raymond J. Wieczorek upon the occasion of his leaving 
office. Mayor Wieczorek faithfully served the City of Manchester, New 
Hampshire, and its citizens for the past 10 years. A truly gifted 
leader, he inspired those who were fortunate enough to work with him, 
and created a legacy that will triumphantly carry Manchester into the 
21st century.
  Mayor Wieczorek has played an important role in the economic 
development of the City of Manchester. Through his hard work and 
diligence, he has been able to develop a positive working relationship 
with many community leaders and guide them through the process of 
expansion and development in the city. He has been the driving force 
behind the Riverwalk project, restoring and bringing businesses to the 
Historic Mill District and bringing business leaders back to the inner 
city. He oversaw the expansion of both the Mall of New Hampshire and 
the Manchester Airport, as well as the preliminary plans for the 
Manchester Civic Center. Thoroughout his many years as a dedicated 
public servant, Mayor Wieczorek has cultivated a vast knowledge of 
information and resources that has constantly been vital in the 
operation of my New Hampshire offices.
  An individual who truly knew how to connect with those around him, 
Mayor Wieczorek's door was always open to the citizens of Manchester. 
Whether through a word of advice, a birthday greeting or negotiations 
on an expansion and development project, the Mayor treated each of the 
individuals who approached him with care and concern, and always 
remembered them with a smile and a quick anecdote upon a second 
meeting.
  I wish Mayor Wieczorek much happiness as he embarks on this new 
journey in life. His leadership and perseverance will be sorely missed 
as his decade of public service comes to an end. I want to leave him 
with a poem by Robert Frost, as I know that he has many more miles to 
travel and endeavors to conquer.

       The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
       But I have promises to keep,
       And miles to go before I sleep.
       And miles to go before I sleep.

  Mayor, it has been a pleasure to represent you in the United States 
Senate. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. May you 
always continue to inspire those around you.

                          ____________________