January 17, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 11 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
TRIBUTE TO HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER STEVEN DILLINGER; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 11
(Extensions of Remarks - January 17, 2020)
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[Extensions of Remarks] [Page E56] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER STEVEN DILLINGER ______ HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS of indiana in the house of representatives Friday, January 17, 2020 Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and achievements of Hamilton County Commissioner Steven Dillinger. A longtime dedicated public servant, Steve has had a significant impact on the City of Noblesville and entirety of Hamilton County, and Central Indiana. Having served as a Hamilton County Commissioner for over 30 years, he has amassed a record of service to his county that will have a positive impact for decades to come. A graduate of Noblesville High School, where he was a star athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and track for the Millers, Steve has continued to promote the lessons of teamwork, planning, and preparation that athletics helped instill in him at a young age. In his roles as the President of the Executive Board of the Noblesville Elementary Football League since 1990, and former longtime Coach of the Noblesville Grinders football team, Steve helped shape many generations of Hamilton County youth through participation in football. Steve has been tuned in to the needs of his fellow citizens for many decades. His first elected office was a seat on the Noblesville City Council from 1980 to 1984. He subsequently served on the Noblesville Plan Commission in 1981. Steve is also an exemplary leader in the Hamilton County Republican Party, serving as a Precinct Committeeman from 1986 to the present. In 1985, Steve was elected to the Hamilton County Council, serving as the governing body's President in 1988. After his time on the Hamilton County Council, Steve was elected to a seat as one of three Hamilton County Commissioners in 1989, representing the cities of Fishers and Noblesville as well as both Delaware and Noblesville Townships. Having found a true passion and adeptness for serving the constituents of Hamilton County, Steve has been continually victorious in both primary and general elections for one of the Hamilton County Commissioner seats for over thirty years. During nine of his thirty years, he has served as the President of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners. Throughout his time as a Commissioner, Hamilton County has undergone vast changes. The population has exploded over 400 percent, from 82,000 citizens in the 1980's to a population of over 300,000 citizens in 2020. Steve has been an integral part of the planning of the county, having been involved in county-wide zoning updates that paved the way for massive growth within Hamilton County. Along with fellow Hamilton County leaders, Steve was a vital part of county initiatives that helped to foster increased development on 146th Street and 236th Street, transforming them into the major thoroughfares they are today. Steve was also deeply involved in the development and funding for the State Road 37 Thoroughfare Plan, and the effort to pave over 800 miles of roads in Hamilton County. During his time of service, the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners has overseen the construction of many new buildings for various county services including the Hamilton County Judicial & Government Center, the Hamilton County Highway Department, the Hamilton County Corrections Facility, the Hamilton County Health Department, and the new Humane Society facility. Steve was also involved in the major additions that have been made to the county-owned Riverview Health Hospital, including the new campus in Westfield. Throughout his tenure, Steve has also been involved in many of the county's quality of life initiatives including the effort to locate an Ivy Tech Community College Campus in Noblesville, as well as adding 1,000 acres of land to the Hamilton County Parks. Steve's service to the county includes service on the Hamilton County Plan Commission, the Hamilton County Drainage Board, the Hamilton County Board of Finance, and the Hamilton County Solid Waste Board. Noting his many years of service to community, Steve was chosen in 2000 to be the Hamilton County appointee to the Indianapolis Airport Authority Board. During his time on the board, a new national award-winning Indianapolis International Airport was built, and has been voted the Best Airport in North America year after year. With a public service career that has stretched over four decades, during a time of great progress for Hamilton County, it's no surprise that Steve was honored by the Indiana Association of County Commissioners as the Outstanding County Commissioner of 2019. In addition to this honor Steve has on five occasions been honored by the Indiana Association of Counties with their Outstanding County Achievement Award. Three times he received the organization's Government Cooperation Achievement Award. As the longest current serving County Commissioner in the State of Indiana his track record of unparalleled service to the citizens of Hamilton County speaks for itself. During my time in Congress, I have had the pleasure of working with many capable and dedicated community leaders, however very few community leaders have given more of their time and talent to their communities than my friend Steve. His decades of leadership are a testament to his desire to create a better community for his fellow citizens. It is with great honor that I commend my friend on his amazing career and all the important work he has done and will continue to do on behalf of the citizens of Hamilton County. ____________________