Political Quotes

“Today I rise to honor my dear friend and colleague Congressman Jerry Costello. For 24 years Mr. Costello has served the people of Southwestern and Southern Illinois with a will and determination I have long admired. As a member of the Illinois delegation, I have often looked towards his bipartisan work ethic and unique ability to reach across the aisle as a reminder of what can be achieved when lawmakers put the American people before themselves. Congressman Costello ``gets it.'' He's a man of character who has never lost sight of his ultimate purpose: to serve the people of Illinois' 12th District. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Costello is also a man who has never shied away from working hard to make his goals a reality. After high school, he worked full time as a law enforcement officer in order to pay his way through college. He went on to serve his community administering the region's court services system, and in 1980 he was elected Chairman of the St. Clair County Board. After proving his ability as a leader, the good people of Southwestern and Southern Illinois saw fit to send Mr. Costello to Congress in 1988, and he took his vision for a new regional Illinois transportation network to the national level. As a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he has worked tirelessly to expand transit, having championed the $670 million Mississippi Bridge between Madison County and downtown St. Louis.…”