Keynote Speaker

 
The Honorable John Shimkus
United States House of Representatives
2452 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1315
 
John Shimkus is a lifelong resident of Collinsville, a suburb of St. Louis. While in the Army, he earned the Expert Infantry Badge, Ranger tab, and Parachutist Badge as well as served overseas with the 54th Infantry Regiment in West Germany. He first ran for office in 1989, when he was elected a Collinsville Township trustee. A year later, he was elected as Madison County treasurer.
 
Among his duties in Congress, John serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy. In addition, he serves on the Subcommittees on Energy and Power: Health: and Communications and Technology.
 
John is a U.S. delegate to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.  His Lithuanian heritage also allows him to focus on Eastern European issues and highlight the plight of people seeking democracy.