[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6237]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING PETER N. SILVESTRI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 6, 2013

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Peter N. 
Silvestri, retiring President of the Village of Elmwood Park and 
current 9th District Cook County Commissioner. Mr. Silvestri has served 
Elmwood Park for twenty-four years as Village president and chose not 
to seek reelection this year in order to focus his complete attention 
on his position of Cook County Commissioner.
  Mr. Silvestri has lived in Elmwood Park since 1971, and is a graduate 
of Elmwood Park High School. He attended DePaul University for 
undergraduate studies, as well as for his law degree. In 1977, at the 
age of twenty, Silvestri became the youngest person in Illinois elected 
to a local school board. He served on Elmwood Park's school board for 
two years, and was president of the board when he left to serve the 
Village in other offices.
  Following Mr. Silvestri's exit from the school board, he served on 
the Zoning Board, Plan Commission, Civic Foundation, and as Village 
Trustee before his election to Village President. Under the leadership 
of Silvestri, the Village of Elmwood Park has been able to prosper and 
continue to pursue the village's goal of being a great place to raise a 
family and start a business. Mr. Silvestri oversaw numerous 
beautification projects in the Village, as well as efforts to modernize 
the police, fire, and public works departments. Silvestri also holds a 
good financial track record with the Village, which is seen through the 
Village's high bond rating, minimal debt and a reduced tax levy coming 
next year.
  Mr. Silvestri leaves the office of Village President in the wake of 
numerous accomplishments. Recently, the Village opened a new library, 
and the aquatic center and the new Centennial Park are scheduled to be 
opened this spring. Other accomplishments while in office include an 
expanded recreation center, the creation of Mills, Torpe and Central 
Parks and an expanded Bambi Park. Silvestri has overseen the 
development of numerous projects within the Village of Elmwood Park 
which have contributed greatly to the reputation of Elmwood Park as a 
great place to live and raise a family.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
years of dedication and public service Peter N. Silvestri has 
contributed to the Village of Elmwood Park. Mr. Silvestri has helped 
the Village prosper through the changing social and economic climate of 
recent decades, and he will surely be missed as the Village's 
president. I want to thank Mr. Silvestri for his years of service to 
the Village of Elmwood Park, and I look forward to his continued 
service as Cook County Commissioner.

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