[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9203]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING GENE SIEGEL ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 38 YEARS AS MAYOR OF 
                             CHICAGO RIDGE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2013

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Eugene ``Gene'' 
Siegel on his retirement as mayor of the Village of Chicago Ridge. Gene 
is a dedicated public servant who served as mayor for over 38 years 
with great honor and dignity. He also served the public in numerous 
capacities within Cook County government, including deputy coroner for 
the Cook County Coroner's Office, assistant chief to the Cook County 
Sheriff's Office, and member of the Cook County Criminal Justice 
Commission. He has been Vice Chairman of the Southwest Conference of 
Mayors and Legislative Chairman for the Southwest Conference of Local 
Governments.
  Mayor Siegel originally was elected in 1975 to fill an unexpired 
mayoral term in Chicago Ridge. He was re-elected nine times, most 
recently in 2009. In each election, he never lost a precinct, which 
speaks to his character and the respect from the community where he 
lives and serves. Mayor Siegel is a genuine man who approached public 
service not only with dignity and honor, but with humility. He believes 
everyone should have a voice, so he maintained an open door, willing to 
listen and respond to the views of his colleagues and constituents.
  Over the last four decades, Mayor Siegel focused on improving and 
revitalizing the Village of Chicago Ridge by fixing roads and creating 
a solid tax base with the development of the Chicago Ridge Mall in 1981 
and the Commons of Chicago Ridge in 1988, which brought in businesses 
to ignite the economy and create jobs for the entire region.
  During his 38 years leading Chicago Ridge, Mayor Siegel witnessed the 
population of his town expand from 2,000 to 15,000. He was a visionary, 
realizing and addressing the needs of his growing community. Mayor 
Siegel was integral in the establishment of a full-time fire department 
and the development of a 130-acre industrial park, a public works 
facility, and a very impressive municipal complex, the last of which 
bears his name.
  As the congressman for the Village of Chicago Ridge, I am proud to 
represent such a committed and dedicated man. Mayor Siegel's leadership 
has been a major asset to his community. I am honored to call him my 
friend.
  Today I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mayor Eugene 
``Gene'' Siegel. Mayor Siegel, you truly are a dedicated public servant 
who is greatly respected by your family, friends, and colleagues. You 
have made Chicago Ridge a great place to call home. As you embark on a 
new chapter in life, may you enjoy a long and well-deserved retirement 
and continue to experience many great memories with your lovely wife, 
Linda, as well as your family and friends.

                          ____________________