CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF RICHARD A. KWASNESKI

On 2026-07-13, Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF RICHARD A. KWASNESKI" in the House.

CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF RICHARD A. KWASNESKI

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E673] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF RICHARD A. KWASNESKI ______ HON. BILL FOSTER of illinois in the house of representatives Monday, July 13, 2026 Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Richard A. Kwasneski on his retirement as the Chairman of the Pace Suburban Bus Board of Directors after an outstanding career in public service. A short time after graduating from Lewis University, Richard Kwasneski began his distinguished career in public service with the Village of Lemont, Illinois. Richard first served as a village trustee in 1985, before taking on the larger responsibility of mayor from 1993 to 2001. On August 28, 2002, Richard began a long and esteemed tenure with Pace when he was appointed as the representative from Southwest Cook County to the Board of Directors of Pace Suburban Bus. On December 7, 2006, he was appointed Chairman of the Pace Suburban Bus Board of Directors, a position he held with distinction for nearly two decades. As the longest-serving chairman in the agency's history, Richard's leadership was so highly regarded that he was reappointed for five consecutive terms. Throughout his time with Pace, Richard cultivated vital partnerships to enhance service delivery and infrastructure investments across a service area of 274 communities. His forward-thinking approach led to the successful implementation of innovative programs such as Bus on Shoulder along I-55 and I-94, Flex Lane Express Service along I-90, Pulse Rapid Transit, and On Demand services. Furthermore, Richard was instrumental in securing two federal RAISE grants for the reconstruction of the Harvey Transportation Center and the construction of the Pulse Halsted Line, along with leading the push for the advancement of Pace's Regional ADA Paratransit Program. Finally, Richard oversaw the largest investment in suburban transit infrastructure through the Rebuild Illinois Program. Beyond his work with Pace, his contributions to regional economic development through the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority and his leadership on the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Board Executive Committee have left a lasting impact on his community. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent such an honorable community leader in my district. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Richard on his retirement and thanking him for his many years of service to the people of Illinois. ____________________