Floor SpeechCeremonial2025-03-14

RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF SKOKIE MAYOR GEORGE VAN DUSEN

HousingInfrastructure

Context

On 2025-03-14, Representative Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL-9) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF SKOKIE MAYOR GEORGE VAN DUSEN" in the House. The speech addressed housing and also covered infrastructure. It referenced legislation: S26.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF SKOKIE MAYOR GEORGE VAN DUSEN

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 49 (Friday, March 14, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 49 (Friday, March 14, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E216] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF SKOKIE MAYOR GEORGE VAN DUSEN ______ HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY of illinois in the house of representatives Friday, March 14, 2025 Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments and long career of my dear friend, George Van Dusen. George is retiring after serving as an excellent Mayor of Skokie for 25 years. I have had the privilege of representing the Village of Skokie for the entirety of my congressional career, and George Van Dusen has been a fierce and effective advocate for his community throughout my tenure. George was a partner who I knew I could rely upon, and my staff and I took every possible opportunity to work with him and his team. Mayor Van Dusen has dedicated 52 years of his life to public service--41 of those years serving as an elected official with the Village of Skokie. Mayor Van Dusen has been a proud Skokie resident since 1974, and it comes as no surprise that his engagement in the community led him to serve as both a trustee and eventually mayor. Mayor Van Dusen served as my predecessor, Congressman Sydney Yates' Director of Suburban Operations from 1973 until Representative Yates' retirement in 1999. This experience as a congressional staffer provided George with invaluable knowledge about how a legislative office works and how to best collaborate with me and my staff to improve the lives of Skokie residents. While serving in his capacity as Director of Suburban Operations, Van Dusen was elected to the Skokie Village Board as a Trustee in 1984 and was appointed mayor in 1999. Thanks to Mayor Van Dusen's 26 years of leadership, the Village of Skokie is in very good shape. Skokie has seen significant growth and prosperity under his stewardship. Thanks to Mayor Van Dusen's steady hand, the Village has seen significant economic development and Skokie's population has consistently grown. George has been a leader on everything from infrastructure investment to promoting affordable housing to ensuring that sustainability issues are front and center for the Village. Mayor Van Dusen was a key supporter of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, which opened in Skokie under his tenure. This institution is now a landmark that has received national acclaim as it combats hatred and bigotry. Skokie is a wonderfully diverse community where more than 90 languages are spoken, and has long been a village that welcomes, respects and values all residents. Mayor Van Dusen has lifted up and celebrated the cultural richness of Skokie, through events like the Festival of Cultures and by ensuring respect and access to village services for everyone. I am grateful to have had Mayor Van Dusen as a partner within the 9th Congressional District of Illinois these past 26 years, and I am even more grateful to be able to call him a friend. On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I thank Mayor Van Dusen for his service and wish he and wife Susan all the best. He leaves shoes that will be very hard to fill. I hope Skokie's future leaders have the same skill and compassion that he showed throughout his career. I wish him nothing but the best in future endeavors. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF SKOKIE MAYOR GEORGE VAN DUSEN Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 49 (Friday, March 14, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 49 (Friday, March 14, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E216] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF SKOKIE MAYOR GEORGE VAN DUSEN ______ HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY of illinois in the house of representatives Friday, March 14, 2025 Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments and long career of my dear friend, George Van Dusen. George is retiring after serving as an excellent Mayor of Skokie for 25 years. I have had the privilege of representing the Village of Skokie for the entirety of my congressional career, and George Van Dusen has been a fierce and effective advocate for his community throughout my tenure. George was a partner who I knew I could rely upon, and my staff and I took every possible opportunity to work with him and his team. Mayor Van Dusen has dedicated 52 years of his life to public service--41 of those years serving as an elected official with the Village of Skokie. Mayor Van Dusen has been a proud Skokie resident since 1974, and it comes as no surprise that his engagement in the community led him to serve as both a trustee and eventually mayor. Mayor Van Dusen served as my predecessor, Congressman Sydney Yates' Director of Suburban Operations from 1973 until Representative Yates' retirement in 1999. This experience as a congressional staffer provided George with invaluable knowledge about how a legislative office works and how to best collaborate with me and my staff to improve the lives of Skokie residents. While serving in his capacity as Director of Suburban Operations, Van Dusen was elected to the Skokie Village Board as a Trustee in 1984 and was appointed mayor in 1999. Thanks to Mayor Van Dusen's 26 years of leadership, the Village of Skokie is in very good shape. Skokie has seen significant growth and prosperity under his stewardship. Thanks to Mayor Van Dusen's steady hand, the Village has seen significant economic development and Skokie's population has consistently grown. George has been a leader on everything from infrastructure investment to promoting affordable housing to ensuring that sustainability issues are front and center for the Village. Mayor Van Dusen was a key supporter of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, which opened in Skokie under his tenure. This institution is now a landmark that has received national acclaim as it combats hatred and bigotry. Skokie is a wonderfully diverse community where more than 90 languages are spoken, and has long been a village that welcomes, respects and values all residents. Mayor Van Dusen has lifted up and celebrated the cultural richness of Skokie, through events like the Festival of Cultures and by ensuring respect and access to village services for everyone. I am grateful to have had Mayor Van Dusen as a partner within the 9th Congressional District of Illinois these past 26 years, and I am even more grateful to be able to call him a friend. On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I thank Mayor Van Dusen for his service and wish he and wife Susan all the best. He leaves shoes that will be very hard to fill. I hope Skokie's future leaders have the same skill and compassion that he showed throughout his career. I wish him nothing but the best in future endeavors. ____________________