[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATIONS TO GARY CITY COUNCILMAN CLEO WESSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 1997

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to congratulate a 
long-time friend of mine, Gary City Councilman Cleo Wesson, on his 
receipt of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns [IACT], 1997 
Meritorious Service Award. Cleo will receive this honor tomorrow, 
September 24, at the IACT annual conference, which is being held at the 
Fort Wayne Hilton in Fort Wayne, IN.
  The Meritorious Service Award is presented by AICT to Indiana public 
figures who have devoted 40 years or more of noteworthy service to 
their communities. Cleo Wesson, who has displayed outstanding 
leadership qualities as a Gary City Councilmember for 38 years, has 
been selected as one of two people in the State of Indiana to receive 
the Meritorious Service Award, an honor which is in its first year of 
existence.
  Cleo began his distinguished career of service when he enlisted in 
the U.S. Air Force upon his graduation from Gary Roosevelt High School. 
After his return from the military, Cleo began his political career 
when he was elected to the Gary Common Council in 1959. As the 
representative of Gary's Fifth District, Cleo has served in a variety 
of roles, including Precinct and Vice Committeeman, and 7-year 
president of the Common Council. He has served on every council 
committee, been elected delegate to the State Democratic Convention, 
and has served as Secretary to the Lake County Democratic Central 
Committee for a number of years. In recognition of his years of 
service, Cleo earned the title ``Dean of the Gary Common Council'' on 
May 16 of this year.
  During his tenure as councilman, Cleo has worked tirelessly toward 
the betterment of the entire City of Gary. The construction of three 
neighborhood parks in the Fifth District, the effective restructuring 
of the police department, and the ordinance establishing in house 
demolition, were all projects conceived of and/or sponsored by Cleo 
Wesson. It was through the in house demolition ordinance that an 
unsightly junk yard at 21st and Madison Street was demolished, and in 
its place the Barbara Leek Wesson Community Center was erected. Other 
projects Cleo undertook include the relocation of the No. 4 fire 
station to 25th and Madison Street, the establishment of the Gary 
Community Mental Health Facility, and the founding of the Marina 
Committee and the Historical and Cultural Society.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in commending Cleo Wesson on his receipt of the 1997 Meritorious 
Service Award. His numerous endeavors in the field of public service 
have left an indelible mark on the city of Gary, as well as Indiana's 
First Congressional District.

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