[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2604]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM L. ``BILL'' O'DANIEL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2003

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William L. ``Bill'' 
O'Daniel of Mt. Vernon was appointed to the Illinois Senate in 1985 and 
was elected by an overwhelming margin in 1986 and has served this body 
with distinction throughout his eighteen years as a member.
  During his five terms in the Senate, Senator O'Daniel, served as 
chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee, as 
Democratic Caucus Chair, and most recently as Democratic spokesperson 
of the Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee.
  Senator O'Daniel has also served on the Committees on Appropriations 
I, Elections and Reapportionment, Revenue, Transportation, and State 
Government Operations, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, the 
Illinois Forestry Development Council, the Swine Disease Control 
Advisory Committee, the Agricultural Export Advisory Committee, the 
Interagency Rail Passenger Advisory Council, and the Board of State 
Fair Advisors.
  Senator O'Daniel has amassed numerous legislative accomplishments 
which have enhanced the quality of life for the people of his southern 
Illinois district and all of the people of the State of Illinois, 
including State sales tax exemptions for farm machinery and oil field 
equipment, creating tax increment financing and enterprise zone 
designations to spur job creation and economic development, promoting 
sustainable agriculture and ethanol as an alternative energy source, 
and enacting tough penalties against persons who sell drugs on or near 
the grounds of places of worship.
  Senator O'Daniel built a solid reputation as one of Illinois' 
foremost authorities on agricultural issues, he was appointed in 1977 
by President Jimmy Carter to serve as state executive director of the 
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture.
  Prior to his appointment by President Carter, Senator O'Daniel served 
as a member of the Illinois House from 1974-77.
  As a longtime farmer and businessman, a decorated World War II 
veteran and devoted family man, Senator O'Daniel brought to the Senate 
a common sense, bi-partisan approach to the business of the body that 
shall be remembered fondly by those who served with him.
  We offer our best wishes to Senator William L. ``Bill'' O'Daniel upon 
his retirement from the Senate; we offer hope for a rewarding future 
with his wife, Norma, their five children and eight grandchildren, and 
one great-grand child.

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