[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 107 (Friday, July 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO HOOSIER BOYS' TOWN

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 1997

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to extend my sincere 
congratulations to Hoosier Boys' Town as it celebrates its 50th 
anniversary. In particular, I would like to congratulate Hoosier Boy's 
Town Executive Director, Anita Dygert-Gearheart, board of directors, 
staff, and volunteers, who should be proud of the outstanding service 
their efforts have provided the young people of Indiana's First 
Congressional District. Hoosier Boys' Town is beginning its 4-day 
anniversary celebration today on its campus in Schererville, IN. The 
Hoosier Boys' Town Board of Directors, residents, staff, former 
residents, friends, and volunteers, have invited the general public to 
join them in celebrating the organization's 50 years of service and 
commitment to the communities of northwest Indiana.
  Founded in July 1947, Hoosier Boys' Town was established by a beloved 
priest from East Chicago, IN, Msgr. Michael Compagna, in an effort to 
help disadvantaged youth fully utilize ``their God-given potential.'' 
Msgr. Compagna's vision was to create a village composed of small 
cottages, with facilities offering emotionally disturbed boys a 
supportive and loving family environment. After 3 years of internal 
debate, Hoosier Boys' Town became a reality as it opened in the form of 
a home for disadvantaged boys, where Father Compagna's mission of 
providing a healthy environment for children in need materialized 
through the administration's guiding beliefs in individual worth and 
the value of education and community.
  Over the years, Hoosier Boys' Town has upheld Monsignor Campagna's 
mission through its continued devotion to children at risk of failing 
in society. The organization currently administers an array of programs 
geared toward children experiencing problems of neglect, abuse, 
chemical dependency, abandonment, and learning disability. Countless 
youths and their families find a caring haven in the community-based 
residential, educational, and treatment centers of Hoosier Boys' Town, 
which focus on the enhancement of body, mind, and spirit. Hoosier Boys' 
Town success in positively changing the lives of young people has not 
gone unnoticed, for the organization has recently received 
accreditation of its services by the Council on Accreditation of 
Services for Families and Children, Inc. Accreditation attests that the 
services provided by Hoosier Boys' Town fulfill the community's needs 
in a safe, professional, and quality-conscious manner.
  While the progress Hoosier Boys' Town has made from the time of its 
inception is apparent, the organization is fully aware that a vision 
for the future is necessary for continued growth and service. Hoosier 
Boys' Town's vision includes the expressed goal of becoming the premier 
residential treatment facility in northwest Indiana for children and 
their families. In order to achieve this goal, the organization is 
launching its first ever Capital Campaign, which is expected to raise 
the $2.5 million needed to build a multipurpose building, serving as 
both an education and dining facility. Currently, Hoosier Boys' Town 
educate 40 to 50 young people each day and serves approximately 400 
meals daily.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in commending Hoosier Boys' Town on the occasion of its 50th 
anniversary celebration. The hard work and dedication everyone involved 
with this distinguished organization has put forth is truly 
inspirational.

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