[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 108 (Thursday, June 29, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      TRIBUTE TO ROBERT WELSH, JR.

                                 ______


                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 1995
  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to commend to you and my 
other colleagues a distinguished citizen of Indiana's First 
Congressional District, Mr. Robert Welsh, Jr., President and Chief 
Executive Officer of Welsh Oil, Inc. Bob, whose executive office is 
located in Merrillville, IN, has used his ``grow or go'' philosophy to 
make his business the success that it is today.
  While today Bob is the mainstay of Welsh Oil, Inc., his father 
founded the company on St. Patrick's Day in 1925 with a one-pump gas 
station located at 5th and Virginia in Gary, IN. Since then, the 
company has flourished, diversifying into convenience stores, four 
truck plazas, and an oil delivery service with a total of 57 locations 
in Indiana, Michigan, and Virginia. The Merrillville-based company 
grossed $151 million in sales last year. However, Bob gives credit for 
the success of his business to his dedicated, hardworking employees.
  As if running a multi-million dollar company were not enough, Bob has 
donated his time and money to numerous causes and community service 
groups. Last year, Welsh Oil solicited $84,700 from the individual 
Welsh Oil stations while corporate donations brought the total donation 
to $100,000. In addition, Bob is on the boards of NIPSCO Industries 
Inc., NBD Bank's Merrillville Region, the Northwest Indiana Forum, the 
Northwest Indiana Entrepreneurship Academy, Zollner Industries, 
Lakeshore Health Systems, and Catholic Charities. He is also on the 
Board of Regents of St. Mary's College in Notre Dame and has served as 
chairman of St. Mary's School of Finance and Investment Committee.
  As a result of Bob's charitable contributions to Northwest Indiana, 
Bob is one of three finalists for the Ernst & Young Illinois/Northwest 
Indiana ``Entrepreneur of the Year'' award that will be decided in 
December, 1995. To be considered for this distinguished award, one must 
be nominated by his colleagues or employees. This award recognizes 
entrepreneurs whose success is exemplified through their financial 
performance and personal commitment to their business or community.
  However, this is not the first time that Bob's hard work and 
achievements have been recognized. Previously, he was awarded the 
Entrepreneurial Lifetime Achievement Award for the Northwest Indiana 
Small Business Development Center, the Asian-American Medical Society's 
Crystal Globe Award, and the President's Medal from St. Mary's College.
  In between Bob's business and his community service, Bob has time to 
appreciate the finer things in life. Bob and I share a passion for the 
University of Notre Dame from which we both earned degrees. Bob is 
currently a trustee of the university and serves on three board of 
director committees. Notre Dame has recognized his contributions to the 
university by naming him Notre Dame's Man of the Year.
  Bob is truly a remarkable man. Along with his professional and civic 
responsibilities, he and his wife, Kay, have also raised a wonderful 
family. Indeed, their proudest accomplishments are their five children. 
Mr. Speaker, I applaud Bob for successfully achieving the ``American 
Dream.'' May the future continue to hold great things in store for this 
fine man.


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