[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1189-E1190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          A TRIBUTE TO DR. FRANCISCO F. AND GERALDINE LEVINSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 1997

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today 
to congratulate Dr. Francisco F. and Geraldine Levinson on their 
receipt of the 1997 Merrillville Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds 
Award. Dr. and Mrs. Levinson will receive this award at a luncheon held 
at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville, IN, tomorrow, June 
12, 1997. The Levinsons will be joined by friends and family on this 
special occasion.
  The Exchange Club, a national organization devoted to a variety of 
initiatives involving the Nation's youth, the well-being of its 
communities, and responsibility of its citizens, bestows the Book of 
Golden Deeds Award upon individuals who have accepted leadership roles 
in bettering the communities and/or world in which they live. The 
Levinsons have been awarded the Book of Golden Deeds Award, the most 
distinguished award the service club can bestow, for their many 
contributions to the communities of Gary and Merrillville.
  The Levinsons have positively impacted these communities by 
contributing their time and energy in the areas of health, community 
organizations, and sports. Dr. Levinson served on the Gary Board of 
Health for 25 years, and the Indiana State Board of Health for 20 
years. Among his many accomplishments while with these organizations 
was his instrumental role in bringing water fluoridation to the area's 
filtration system. Dr. and Mrs. Levinson were also essential in the 
erection of the main building for the Lake County Association for 
Retarded Children.
  In addition, Dr. and Mrs. Levinson have devoted their efforts to 
numerous volunteer organizations. Dr. Levinson served 5 years of active 
duty in the U.S. Army, followed by 29 years in the Active Reserves, 
from which he retired as a lieutenant colonel. He was also an active 
member of the Gary Exchange Club where he instituted the Toothbrush 
fund raiser, which successfully raised money for the organization by 
selling toothbrushes to large corporations. Dr. Levinson has also 
maintained leadership positions in numerous professional, civic, and 
community service organizations. Over the years, he has served as 
president of the Gary Dental Association, the Northwest Indiana Dental 
Association, the Indiana State Dental Association, Jewish War Veterans, 
and B'nai B'rith. He has also served on the board of directors for the 
YMCA, Jewish Welfare Federation, and Consumer Credit Counseling of 
Northwest Indiana.
  Mrs. Levinson has been active in many community organizations, as 
well, including the Methodist Hospital Auxiliary, the Job Corps Agency, 
Israel Bond Drive, Jewish Federation, Temple Beth-El, and Temple 
Israel. She was also a soloist for the Macedonian Choir, and has served 
on the auxiliary of the Northwest Indiana Dental Society.
  The Levinsons have also devoted much time to promoting sports within 
the community. Over the past 10 years, the Levinsons have been positive 
influences on the members of the Merrillville High School tennis team, 
during which Dr. Levinson has acted as a volunteer assistant coach. 
Creating organizations for community sporting activities has also been 
a priority for the Levinsons. Some of their endeavors have included the 
highly successful Gary Junior Tennis Association and the Ross Township 
Tennis and Racquet Club. The Levinsons were also very active in Club 
Vida, a social, athletic, and recreational club, where Dr. Levinson was 
the financial manager of the

[[Page E1190]]

Club Vida basketball team. In 1940, Dr. Levinson coached the basketball 
team all the way to the first game of a national championship at 
Denver, CO.
  Other awards Dr. Levinson has received include the Sagamore of the 
Wabash Award, presented by former Indiana Governor, Robert Orr, and the 
Lugar Fitness Award, presented by U.S. Senator, the Honorable Richard 
Lugar. The Sagamore of the Wabash Award is the most prestigious award 
granted by the Governor of Indiana.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in commending Dr. Francisco F. and Geraldine Levinson on their 
receipt of the 1997 Merrillville Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds 
Award. Their children, Eileen Samuelson and Don Levinson, five 
grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, can be proud of the hard 
work and dedication the Levinsons have displayed while working to 
improve the quality of life for the residents of Indiana's First 
Congressional District.

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