[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E602-E603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              TRIBUTE TO THE LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC VOLUNTEERS

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 1998

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to commend Lake County 
Public Library (LCPL) volunteers during National Library Week and 
National Volunteer Week. The LCPL honored its volunteers on Sunday, 
April 19, 1998, during the Friends of the Lake County Public Library 
annual meeting, which was held at the library in Merrillville, Indiana. 
Two individuals, Helen Goodman and Frank Peterson, earned special 
recognition for their outstanding service to the library.
  Helen Goodman, of Crown Point, Indiana, has volunteered at the Lake 
County Public Library since 1986. An assistant in the library's Indiana 
Room Helen researches and locates materials for library patrons on such 
topics as genealogy. In addition to her daily responsibilities of 
sorting and reshelving materials, Helen takes the initiative to offer 
personal assistance to patrons who are in need of specific information. 
Helen is prompt, reliable, and so dedicated to serving patrons, the 
library's Reference Department has considered naming her an ``Honorary 
Reference Librarian''. Helen also volunteers in the Friends of the LCPL 
Book Sale Room, where she helps patrons select and purchase used 
materials. In addition, Helen is a loyal participant in all library 
programming, including book discussion group, as she thrives on the 
exchange of ideas through reading and research. Helen also displays her 
dedication to public service by working at the Veterans Administration 
(VA) several days a week. A VA volunteer since 1988, Helen assists 
disabled veterans with transportation needs by determining their 
eligibility and availability for assistance programs, as well as 
coordinating travel schedules. Helen also recruits other volunteers to 
help disabled veterans when necessary, and she is invaluable in 
maintaining quality patient care for the service.
  Frank Peterson, a native of Portage, Indiana, has been a volunteer at 
the Lake County Public Library for 5 years. Frank assists the library's 
Book Coordinator by moving boxes of donated books for sorting, 
selecting, and shelving in the Book Sale Room. He works at least 2 
hours each Tuesday morning and sometimes on Thursdays, re-arranging the 
books and encyclopedias, clearing the shelves of books for new 
selections, and organizing the Book Sale Room for the public. In 
addition, the library considers Frank to be its one-

[[Page E603]]

man publicity department, as he promotes the Book Sale Room to area 
newspapers and places advertisements for book donations. Frank has also 
taken the initiative to arrange for the distribution to underprivileged 
libraries and school districts in other states the library's excess 
books. Despite his ongoing battle with lung cancer, Frank continues to 
pursue his commitment to volunteerism through his service to the Lake 
County Public Library, as well as the Porter County Public Library book 
sale.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in commending Helen Goodman, Frank Peterson, and all the other 
volunteers at the Lake County Public Library for their outstanding 
service to their community. Their commitment to assisting others in the 
pursuit of knowledge has proven invaluable to the citizens of Indiana's 
First Congressional District.

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