HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI
OF ILLINOIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2007

HONORING THE WEST CENTRAL MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE AND
THE WEST COOK COUNTY SOLID WASTE AGENCY

• Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor two innovative organizations that positively impact over 30 Chicagoland communities--the West Central Municipal Conference (WCMC) and the West Cook County Solid Waste Agency (WCCSWA). Through dedicated and distinguished leadership, these associations continue to foster the improvement of local government, provide quality service to citizens, and enhance the overall quality of life for area residents. Today, I would especially like to recognize and thank WCMC and WCCSWA Executive Director Richard Pellegrino, 2007 WCMC Executive Committee President Harold J. Wiaduck, and 2007 WCCSWA Executive Committee President Michael J. Garvey.

• Since 1980, the West Central Municipal Conference has served as the regional council of governments (COG) in west suburban Cook County. Currently, WCMC has eight standing committees that focus on areas such as buildings and codes, finance, legislative advocacy, intergovernmental affairs, public works, transportation, and public safety. The committees strive to achieve municipal cooperation, communication, community outreach, and fiscal responsibility.

• I am privileged today to acknowledge the incoming 2008 WCMC Executive Committee members: President Daniel Pritchett of Franklin Park; Vice President Paul Gattuso of Westchester; Treasurer Roy F. McCampbell of Bellwood; Director Frank A. Pasquale of Bellwood; Director Peter N. Silvestri of Elmwood Park; Director Anthony T. Calderone of Forest Park; Director James L. Discipio of LaGrange Park; Director Jeffrey T. Sherwin of Northlake; Director Patrick T. Rogers of Lyons Township; Director John D. Dalicandro of Elmwood Park; Director Patrick R. Higgins of Western Springs; and Ex-Officio Member Harold J. Wiaduck of Riverside.

• The West Cook County Solid Waste Agency, established in 1989, facilitates the efficient and environmentally sound collection, transportation, transfer, processing, treatment, storage, disposal, recovery, and reuse of municipal waste in west Cook County, Illinois. WCCSWA not only administers recycling programs such as the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program, the Regional Disposal Project, and the Electronics Recycling Program, but organizes community events that include lawn care buy-backs and paint exchanges. Through its consumer assistance and school education programming, the agency helps citizens make sound environmental decisions and promotes the importance of recycling to young people.

• I am also honored today to recognize the 2008 WCCSWA Executive Committee members: President Michael J. Garvey of Brookfield; Vice President Wayne Straza of Countryside; Treasurer Roy F. McCampbell of Bellwood; Director Kevin Barr of Schiller Park; Director Guy Belmonte of North Riverside; Director Karen Rozmus of Oak Park; and Director Marilyn May of River Grove.

• The service and contributions made to west Cook County by the West Central Municipal Conference and the West Cook County Solid Waste Agency are extraordinary. I am pleased to honor the staff members, the committee members, and all those who make the activities of these organizations possible. As we work tirelessly to improve the lives of area citizens, I look forward to continuing to serve our communities with the current 2007 and future 2008 Executive Committee members, as well as other WCMC and WCCSWA leaders.