[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15850]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE VILLAGE OF ELMWOOD PARK CENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 17, 2014

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Village of 
Elmwood Park as they celebrate their Centennial. The historic election 
held on April 8, 1914, established Elmwood Park as an official village 
and was the catalyst to the village's remarkable transformation.
  Thanks to the vision of Mr. John Mills, a Chicago area developer, the 
1927 Westwood subdivision in Elmwood Park became one of the early 
``planned communities'' in our nation. Mr. Mills' Westwood project was 
the largest residential program of its kind ever attempted in the State 
of Illinois. The $25 million building program provided paved streets, 
sewers, sidewalks and plans for 1,679 bungalows spread over 245 acres 
in Elmwood Park.
  Due to the ambitious project, the population increased over 700 
percent growing from 1,380 to 11,270 people by 1930, making Elmwood 
Park the sixth fastest growing community in the nation at that time.
  The Honorable Elmer W. Conti was elected Village President in 1953. 
Under his guidance, Elmwood Park was recognized for honorable mention 
in the All-American awards in 1954, 1955, and 1958 for its village 
administration, financial stability, citizen involvement and progress 
in education. Village President Conti served for 32 years, retiring in 
1985.
  In the last 25 years the Village of Elmwood Park has had outstanding 
leaders. Honorable Peter N. Silvestri served as Village President from 
1989 to 2013 and the current Village President, Honorable Angelo 
``Skip'' Saviano, was elected in 2013.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 
Centennial of the Village of Elmwood Park. I am truly honored to have 
such an outstanding community in my district.

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