Daniel Lipinski

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding constituent of my district, Michael J. Czopkiewicz, who will achieve the high rank of Eagle Scout on July 7th. Michael, a senior at Brother Rice High School, has demonstrated great dedication and commitment in the pursuit of this admirable goal. Joining the Boy Scouts in first grade, Michael has met every test and challenge to pass through the six ranks of the Boy Scouts. Those aspiring to be Eagle Scouts must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. To demonstrate proficiency in certain Scoutcraft skills, each Boy Scout must achieve merit badges in the areas of First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Environmental Science, Personal Fitness, Family Life, and many more. As Michael passed through the ranks, he learned the important life skill of self-evaluation through his participation in Scoutmaster conferences. At these conferences, Michael took time to evaluate his past performances and look to the future to create new goals. He also demonstrated the worthy qualities of responsibility and maturity by holding leadership positions within his troop and participating in service projects. Michael's hardworking nature also extends outside the Boy Scouts. By working three jobs during the summer and one job during school, Michael has demonstrated his ability to successfully take on a variety of responsibilities. As a hardworking intern in my district office, Michael shows great interest in civic affairs and the betterment of his community. It is my honor to commend Michael J. Czopkiewicz for his achievement of the high rank of Eagle Scout. As a new Eagle Scout, Michael will join the ranks of fellow Eagle Scouts like former President Gerald R. Ford. Michael's devotion to the Boy Scouts for over a decade is laudable, and I congratulate him on his achievement. I thank him for his dedication to the community, and I know we can expect great things from him in the future.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Symphorosa Parish in Chicago, IL. Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of participating in the 80th anniversary celebration mass at this distinguished parish, which has been a pillar of faith and service in Chicago since 1927. I am especially proud to thank St. Symphorosa for providing me with a strong moral and academic education in church and at the parish grammar school. The Archbishop of Chicago established St. Symphorosa to provide a multi-ethnic, American parish for the Clearing neighborhood on Chicago's southwest side. Under the leadership and guidance of Father J. Leo Sharp, the new parish celebrated its first Sunday Mass on June 19, 1927. Without a church of its own, the parish initially met in the Clearing Town Hall until construction of a new church could be completed in September 1928. Once the building complex was completed, St. Symphorosa School opened under the guidance of four Benedictine sisters. The parish and school have since changed locations, but the school remains open, educating and serving the community's youth. The parish rendered noble service during the Great Depression. Although forced to sell some of the parish's land to keep the church open, Father Sharp and the Benedictine sisters ministered to needy families by collecting and distributing clothing. In 1943, the parish received a new pastor, Father Anthony Harte, who presided over the parish's expansion in the wake of World War II. By the time Father Harte retired in 1967, St. Symphorosa had added five buildings to the parish property, the parish population had tripled, and the school had over 1,600 students. Father Francis Maniola became the parish's third pastor, and brought the changes of the Second Vatican Council to St. Symphorosa. To strengthen the parish's ability to serve its members and the community, Father Maniola added new programs to the parish that included the Super Club, the Altar & Rosary Sodality, and Widows and Widowers. His successors, Father John McNamara and Father Marc Pasciak, encouraged lay participation in the parish and established a parish council and staff. Today, St. Symphorosa Parish is as vibrant as ever, and the parish continues to serve the worship needs of over 2,400 families in Clearing and surrounding communities. The St. Symphorosa Family Fest, its major celebratory event, has grown into one of the largest parish festivals in the Chicago Archdiocese. It is my honor to recognize St. Symphorosa on the occasion of its 80th anniversary. The parish has fulfilled Father Sharp's vision of a proud community that works together, learns together, and worships together. With its legacy of remarkable pastors and committed parishioners, the parish has truly become a ``Family Celebrating Faith.''

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Inglis for yielding. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Inglis and I introduced the Bulb Replacement in Government with High-Efficiency Technology (BRIGHT) Energy Savings Act earlier this year, a bipartisan bill that garnered over 80 bipartisan cosponsors. Last week, it was incorporated into a comprehensive climate change and energy bill that the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reported. This amendment is a great step towards this goal of cutting down on the energy used by the Federal Government, cutting down on the emission of global climate-changing gases and saving taxpayers money. So, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for accepting this amendment. This amendment has been included on every appropriations bill so far that has been brought to the floor, and I hope we can continue this. It is very rare that you can meet all of these goals at once while saving taxpayer dollars.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. I yield to the chairman.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, this amendment says that none of the funds made available in this bill may be used to purchase light bulbs for operation in the United States unless the light bulbs have the ``Energy Star'' or the ``Federal Energy Management Program'' designation. What this means is that light bulbs purchased will have to be high-efficiency light bulbs. Right now, the most common high-efficiency bulbs are the compact fluorescent light bulb, known as a CFL. CFLs use approximately 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light. They also last approximately eight to ten times longer. Replacing an ordinary bulb with a comparable CFL saves up to $74 in energy costs over the bulb's lifetime. Today, Americans are rightly concerned about the impact of foreign energy dependence on our national security and the effect of global climate change on the future of our planet. This amendment helps us address both of these issues, while at the same time saving millions of taxpayer dollars.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Reclaiming my time, I would like to thank the chairman for accepting this. This is part of what we are working on. I introduced a bill to require all GSA buildings to use high- efficiency bulbs. Mr. Inglis and I introduced this earlier this year. It is included in a comprehensive climate change bill which was reported by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee yesterday. I am very hopeful we can get this done through that piece of legislation for all GSA buildings, but this amendment here is a good start. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Relay For Life, held in Bridgeview, Illinois. The event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is considered the organization's signature activity. This year is especially significant as the June 22-23 event at the Bridgeview Park District marks the 15th anniversary of the first Relay For Life event in Illinois. Relay For Life is an overnight event designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer in our communities. At the event, participants celebrate survivorship, remember those lost to cancer, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society. Proceeds fund its mission of helping those who have been touched by cancer, empowering individuals to fight back, and saving lives. Programs such as Road to Recovery, Look Good Feel Good, Support Recovery, and the American Cancer Society's Patient Navigation Services all benefit from the annual event. These programs and services assist patients with educational, technological, logistical, and emotional support, and further the search for a cure. Through the tireless participation of families, schools, companies, hospitals, and other community groups, Relay For Life has assisted those affected by cancer for well over a decade. Today, I am honored to recognize this important event, its participants, and its worthy mission. I am especially pleased to acknowledge and congratulate the supporters of Relay For Life in Bridgeview, Illinois. The work and dedication of these individuals ensure a brighter future for those affected by cancer and serve as an inspiration to all citizens.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 632) to authorize the Secretary of Energy to establish monetary prizes for achievements in overcoming scientific and technical barriers associated with hydrogen energy, as amended.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is another great example of what we have been able to do on the Science and Technology Committee by working together in a bipartisan manner. Led by Chairman Gordon, working with Ranking Member Hall, I hope that we can continue this cooperation on other critical issues related to America's future technological competitiveness, energy dependence and global climate change. This is the type of bipartisan work we need to continue to be doing to make progress. I'd also like to thank Mr. Inglis for all the work he has done on this. We worked on this bill last year. We worked together on that, and Mr. Inglis is the one who came forward at that time with the original idea on this. He's worked very well. We have continued to work to make progress, and I'm very hopeful that this year we have worked with the Senate and the administration. We can get this past not just the House but signed into law. Because I think this H-Prize act has really great potential. It has the great potential to solve the great energy challenge we face today. But perhaps it may be most important in spurring the imagination of our youth, our most valuable resource in this country. I remember in the 1970s there was great excitement about alternative energy. There was an environmental movement, and there was the gasoline crisis, and there was great interest in helping clean up the environment, investing in alternative energy. It's something that really got me excited. I was caught up in it when I was in grade school back in the 1970s. I remember I did my eighth grade science fair project on solar energy. That was back in 1980. We saw, unfortunately, though, that the interest in alternative energy really dropped off after that time. Not only interest, but then Federal funding dropped off. Just in talking to the Science Coalition this morning, they talked about how critical that was when that research funding dropped off. We can't afford to let that happen again. But what did happen with me is it really inspired me, got me interested. I went out and got a degree in mechanical engineering, and although I did not continue down that road, today I bring that background to this House and continue to work on these issues, understanding the importance of this issue and understanding the importance of the Federal Government's really investing in our future and especially in alternative energy. And these challenges are great. We must really confront them. So today maybe this H-Prize Act will inspire another child out there today. He or she may become an engineer or a scientist or an entrepreneur who plays a hand in the next technological breakthrough. So there is great hope with this H-Prize Act. And today, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me by passing this bill, and hopefully in the future we can look back to today and see it as a major change and a major move forward for America and for the world.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 632, the H-Prize Act of 2007, an innovative bill I introduced, along with Mr. Inglis of South Carolina, and that we passed in this House last year by a vote of 416- 6. America faces a great challenge today, finding a new clean energy source that will free us from our dependence on foreign oil and will combat global climate change. Hydrogen has great potential to be this new source and the H-Prize Act will help focus America's technological and entrepreneurial talent on making it happen. Hydrogen-fuel cars already exist. Last year I had the opportunity to drive a hydrogen-fuel car. It didn't drive much differently than a gas- powered car, except for the silence, silence that I am used to somewhat from driving a hybrid. But that was the only real performance difference. There is no performance difference. The only difference I know of is the silence. But there are really currently significant technical and economic barriers that must still be overcome before we can put a hydrogen car in every American garage. Current hydrogen-powered vehicles cost about $1 million. But while several significant technological advances are necessary, they are within reach. Just yesterday, it was reported in the Chicago Tribune that engineers at Purdue University are researching methods of producing hydrogen gas by combining aluminum with another metal, gallium, and adding water. This research could yield ways of overcoming hydrogen storage problems, allowing automobile engines to burn this gas with little modification. While we must continue to invest in traditional grants to fund university research, we in Congress have the responsibility to find creative and new ways to inspire researchers, business leaders and our youth to solve the problems that society faces today. The H-Prize will help expand the possibility of hydrogen research, promoting people not normally involved in Federal research to explore one of the greatest challenges facing us today. Specifically, this legislation would establish competitively awarded cash prizes to spur innovations that advance the use of hydrogen as a fuel for transportation. Every 2 years, four $1 million prizes would be given for advances in the production, storage, distribution and utilization of hydrogen, and one $4 million prize would be awarded for advances in prototype hydrogen vehicles. At the end of 10 years, one grand prize of $10 million would be given for a transformational advance in hydrogen energy technology. In addition to this $10 million grand prize, we are also seeking to raise up to $40 million to add to that grand prize, $40 million in private contributions. When these advances are made, hydrogen can fill critical energy needs even beyond transportation. Hydrogen will also be used to provide heat and generate electricity. The future possibilities of this energy source are enormous. Most importantly, hydrogen will be a clean, domestic energy source. When used for energy, hydrogen produces no emissions besides water, zero emissions, an amazing advance over current energy resources. By utilizing hydrogen, we can improve our national security by lessening our dependence on foreign oil that often comes from unstable countries. Mr. Speaker, America has always been at the forefront of technological breakthroughs. We have responded to great challenges, perhaps most famously, President John F. Kennedy's challenge to land a man on the moon before the end of the 1960s. We have seen that prizes have been an effective way to inspire technological advances. Perhaps most famously the prize won by Lindbergh for his successful nonstop flight across the Atlantic. More recently, the Ansari X-Prize given to the first private team to build and fly a spaceship 100 kilometers above earth. The H-Prize is patterned after this X-Prize. We have seen that challenges and prizes help to spark the imagination of scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs, who invest blood, sweat, tears and often large sums of money, sums of money even larger than the prizes being given, to achieve a great goal. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill today. Perhaps one day we will look back on the H-Prize as a catalyst to a better, cleaner, more secure America and world. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 632, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this is another great effort that we are making, another important step in helping to reduce our energy consumption in this country. It's critical for national security, our economic security and to combat global climate change, and certainly energy efficient buildings, great work is being done in this, and much more work needs to be done. I have seen at the Department of Energy lab the work that is being done on some of this. I think much more needs to be done. This bill will help to provide these opportunities for more students, more people to learn about what it takes to make our buildings more energy efficient. Again, I commend Mr. McCaul and Mr. Hill for this bill, and I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, I rise in support of H.R. 1716, the Green Energy Education Act of 2007. I'd like to thank Mr. McCaul and Mr. Hill for their leadership on this important legislation. This bill authorizes the Department of Energy to contribute funds to the National Science Foundation's successful Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program, known as IGERT. IGERT awards prepare doctoral students by integrating research and education in innovative ways that are tailored to the unique requirement of newly emerging interdisciplinary fields and new career options. Many future green energy technologies, such as thin film solar technologies, will require interdisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers such as those trained under the IGERT program. This bill also authorizes the Department of Energy's high- performance-building technology programs to contribute to the National Science Foundation's ongoing curriculum development activities with the goal of improving the ability of engineers and architects to design and construct high-performance buildings. Innovative technologies, coupled with a whole-buildings approach that optimizes interactions among building systems and components, enable buildings to use considerably less energy, while also helping to meet national goals for sustainable development, environmental protection and energy security. The high-performance, or green, building movement is growing rapidly, but it is still a very small slice of the multibillion dollar building industry; and there's a real gap in university level education and training for the next generation of green building professionals. This bill helps address that gap. In summary, this bill addresses a critical need to provide resources to universities to update their curricula and research efforts in alternative energy and high-performance buildings, and it improves coordination between the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation in achieving this goal. I'm pleased to support H.R. 1716, the Green Energy Education Act of 2007. Again, I want to commend Mr. McCaul and Mr. Hill for this important legislation; and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1716. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 1716, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1716) to authorize higher education curriculum development and graduate training in advanced energy and green building technologies, as amended.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding educator in my district, Mrs. Judy Hanley. In June, Mrs. Hanley will retire from School District 105 after 48 years of distinguished service and leadership. Her remarkable contributions to students, colleagues, and the entire District 105 community will always be remembered and her presence will be sorely missed. As we approach the end of this school year, I would like to extend my appreciation to Mrs. Hanley for her dedication and commitment to providing quality education. Mrs. Hanley will retire from Hodgkins Elementary School as Assistant Principal. Throughout her impressive career, she has taken an active role in the leadership of the school. Specifically, Mrs. Hanley has served on the curriculum committee, the professional development committee, and the staff development committee. In addition to Mrs. Hanley's committee positions, she has also served as President of the School District 105 Teacher's Association. Together, these combined efforts have helped to make School District 105 a better place for staff to work and children to learn. Mrs. Hanley's tireless work has also benefited the local Hodgkins community. She has played a leading role in organizing the local book fair and has acted as a sponsor of the annual pumpkin decorating contest--a Hodgkins tradition. In 1999, the Whispering Oak Girls Scout Council recognized Mrs. Hanley with the Woman of Distinction Award in Education and, in 2000, the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce honored Mrs. Hanley with the Millennium Award. In addition to these special awards, she was also a 1999 and 2000 Legacy Award Finalist. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. Judy Hanley for her half-century of service as a dedicated educator. Throughout her career, she has shown a strong commitment to teaching and to her community. As a result of her passion, her work has significantly impacted the lives of countless students, parents, and fellow teachers alike. I thank Judy for her lifelong service to her community and wish her a happy, healthy, and fulfilling retirement.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an exceptional educator in my district, Mr. Michael Hogan. For 30 years, Mr. Hogan has devoted his time and energy to the students and families of High School District 204 in Cook County. Now, as he prepares for his retirement, I would like to thank him for his years of dedicated service. Mr. Hogan's decision to become a teacher led him to college to complete his degree and education certification in 1978. To finance his education, Mr. Hogan took on a wide variety of service jobs, where he developed a disciplined attitude and strong work ethic that continues to guide his life. Mr. Hogan's awareness of the importance of family, friends, integrity, and career is the foundation of his professional success, and has led his colleagues and the communities he serves to hold him in the highest regard. Mr. Hogan began his career in education as a special education teacher at Lyons Township High School, serving students who felt disconnected from their families, school, and peers because of emotional and behavioral disabilities. He provided the structure, empathic concern, and skill-building activities that his students needed to allow them an opportunity to develop trusting relationships with others and graduate from high school to become productive citizens. Mr. Hogan later became the Dean of Students in High School District 204. Again, his commitment to teaching the skills of responsible decision-making and his willingness to help individuals understand and assume responsibility for their actions resulted in a positive, life-changing experience for countless students. For the final 15 years of his career, Mr. Hogan has served as Associate Principal, dedicating himself to his principle of ``making the school work''. His fairness, integrity, and meticulous attention to detail have impacted the daily lives of all those he has served: the faculty, staff, and families of Lyons Township High School. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Michael Hogan as an outstanding educator, and recognize his tireless efforts to educate and develop generations of confident, responsible, and disciplined students. He has done nothing less than an extraordinary job in preparing future generations for their challenges ahead. I thank and congratulate Michael for his service and dedication and wish him a happy, healthy, and fulfilling retirement.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for yielding to me and also for all the hard work that he has done in his short career in Congress but in many years before that for America's workers. I rise today with serious concerns about the trade policy of our country. This is a concern shared by tens of millions of Americans who have concerns every day about keeping their jobs or they have lost their jobs and being unable to find another job where they could possibly earn as much money as we see the trade policy of this country destroying so many good American jobs. This trade policy has contributed to a record high, soaring trade deficit. There is wage depression and loss of quality, high-paying jobs. With the Panama, Peru, Colombia, and South Korea trade agreements pending congressional approval, we must take action now to correct the mistakes of previous trade agreements and ensure that any new trade agreements benefit all Americans, be enforceable, and be enforced. It is clear that our previous trade agreements have not benefited everybody. For evidence of this, look no further than North American Free Trade agreement and the damaging record that it has provided us. Since NAFTA was signed into law, the U.S. has seen enormous amounts of production shift to Mexico and Canada, while real wages for U.S. workers have fallen. My district, which includes parts of Chicago and its suburbs and the larger Great Lakes region, has been particularly hard hit by job losses. This has been the case especially in manufacturing. Between 1995 and 2005, the United States lost more than 3 million manufacturing jobs. More than one-third of this job loss occurred in the seven Great Lakes States, with Chicagoland losing over 100,000 manufacturing jobs. Losses in manufacturing jobs are important. I know there are some people who say a job is a job. It doesn't matter. If you lose these jobs, you will get other jobs. Well, first of all, manufacturing jobs are special. America must be able to make products, first for our national security, but these manufacturing jobs are high-paying jobs, and they are jobs that add so much value and create other jobs in this country. They offer high wages, good benefits, and they offer jobs to many Americans who do not have college degrees. When our manufacturing jobs leave to cheaper labor markets, weaker labor standards, lax environmental protections and to countries practicing unfair trade practices, workers are left behind. In my district, I hear constantly from manufacturers who are talking about their struggles to compete largely today against China, China's manipulated currency, which is largely undervalued. All the work that these manufacturers are doing to try to keep jobs in the United States, unfortunately, we see so many of these jobs going and so many of these plants closing. What happens to these workers? Many of them go looking for other jobs. They find jobs in the service sector. Ninety-eight percent of the net new jobs in 1990s were in the service sector. Unfortunately, compensation in the service industry is only 81 percent of the manufacturing sector's average; and then the influx of these displaced workers just drives down these wages even more. Yet still we always hear from those in favor of these flawed trade deals that trade creates more jobs than it displaces. Unfortunately, the facts show this is not the case. In fact, in the first 10 years after NAFTA, the displacement in production from the United States to Mexico and Canada directly led to a net loss of 879,000 U.S. jobs. My State, Illinois, lost a net total of 47,000 jobs. Mr. Hare knows very well, he has seen it in his district, how hard these losses have hit, as I have seen them in my district. This has decreased our average earnings, our quality of life and our ability to provide for our families. The fact that our government negotiated trade agreements that yielded these kinds of results is, at best, embarrassing. We must ensure that these mistakes are not repeated in future trade deals. This year congressional leaders on trade have been negotiating with the administration to improve the pending trade deals with Panama, Peru, Colombia, and South Korea. On May 10, an agreement was announced that would incorporate some environmental and labor protections into the pending trade agreements with Panama and Peru. While this is certainly a start, these negotiations must not be viewed as complete. There is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that we do not repeat the mistakes of NAFTA, CAFTA, and all our other failed trade deals. I hope in the coming weeks and months that Congress can address these past failures and make trade work for everyone. And in this, also, we must, we must, include addressing currency manipulation, especially by China. Lack of enforcement of intellectual property, which is, again, another problem that hits Americans very hard, unfair subsidies that are given by some countries to some of their industries and dumping that is done, all of these greatly hurt the United States, and we must make sure that all this is included anytime that we are dealing with trade. The livelihood of so many Americans, millions and millions of Americans and their families, depend on it. We are working together with my colleagues here to make sure that we create good trade deals for America and Americans. The purpose of American trade policy should be to create good jobs for Americans. The bottom line should not just be profits. The bottom line has to be the lives and the work of millions of Americans, and we must make sure that we stand up strong every day for them.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Southwest Conference of Mayors, SCM, on its 25th anniversary. Through dedicated and distinguished leadership, the Mayors' Conference continues to foster the improvement of local government, provide services to citizens, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents in southwest Cook County. Since its inception in 1982, the Southwest Conference of Mayors has served as the regional council of governments, COG, in southwest Cook County. Currently, the Mayors' Conference has five standing committees, which focus on the areas of economic development, legislative advocacy, public works, transportation, and utilities. The committees strive to lower the costs of government, promote managerial expertise, coordinate experience and find solutions to problems of mutual concern, and develop a common voice on municipal concerns. Today, the Southwest Conference of Mayors encompasses 21 municipalities that include: the village of Alsip; the village of Bedford Park; the city of Blue Island; the village of Bridgeview; the city of Burbank; the village of Chicago Ridge; the village of Crestwood; the village of Evergreen Park; the city of Hickory Hills; the city of Hometown; the village of Justice; the village of Lemont; the village of Merrionette Park; the village of Oak Lawn; the village of Orland Hills; the village of Orland Park; the city of Palos Heights; the city of Palos Hills; the village of Palos Park; the village of Willow Springs; and the village of Worth. Given the outstanding service and direction of the Southwest Conference of Mayors, I am especially privileged to acknowledge the founding and current SCM President, Mayor Jerry Bennett of Palos Hills; SCM vice president, Mayor Gene Siegel of Chicago Ridge; SCM vice president, Mayor Jim Sexton of Evergreen Park; and SCM treasurer, Mayor Bob Straz of Palos Heights. The hard work, insight, and leadership of these mayors ensure the future success of the Mayors' Conference and its positive impact on southwest Cook County. The contributions made by the Southwest Conference of Mayors to the citizens of southwest Cook County are extraordinary. Today, I am pleased to recognize the organization's current and past leadership, member villages and cities, staff members, and all those who make the activities of the Mayors' Conference possible. As we celebrate this 25- year milestone, I look forward to continuing to work with SCM leaders to serve our communities and improve the lives of all area residents.