[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 159 (Thursday, November 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          THE CALUMET PROJECT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 10, 1999

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to announce 
that the Calumet Project will be hosting its 9th Annual Job and Justice 
Awards Banquet on Friday, November 19, 1999, at the Social Hall of Our 
Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Hammond, Indiana. The Calumet Project 
is a 15-year-old grassroots, labor-community-religious coalition that 
works for economic and social justice in Northwest Indiana. Each year, 
the Calumet Project honors prominent, extraordinary residents of 
Northwest Indiana for their tireless work to educate and organize 
people to fight for the betterment of all our lives. This year, four 
outstanding citizens from Northwest Indiana will be honored for their 
dedication to justice, and for their commitment to the people of 
Northwest Indiana.
  One of this year's Calumet Community Hero Award recipients is Tom 
Conway. Mr. Conway is being honored for his dedication and 
contributions to the labor community. During the last year, he has been 
responsible for directing the United Steel Workers of America's (USWA) 
field campaign in the recent ``Stand Up for Steel'' efforts aimed at 
the steel imports which continue to be a source of concern to the USWA.
  Additionally, Carlotta King and Jose Bustos will receive the Calumet 
Community Hero Award for their organizing efforts in their respective 
communities, Hammond and East Chicago. Ms. King's passion and focus has 
been to improve the quality of life for children. She is the board 
president of the Bethany Child Care and Development Center, and 
president of the board of V.A.U.L.E.S., a group that mentors African-
American males. Ms. King also serves as a Redevelopment Commissioner 
for the City of Hammond. She is a strong advocate for community 
participation in the redevelopment of brownfield sites. Mr. Bustos has 
devoted much of his life to helping the people of East Chicago. He and 
his wife Eva started the group, ``The Youth Conqueror,'' which was 
responsible for bringing attention to how the increase in gang activity 
and violence was threatening the community's young people. 
Additionally, they started the Cesar Chavez Catholic Workers Community 
House. The community house has assisted many young individuals in 
different areas of their lives. Mr. Bustos has also been active in 
organizing a Christmas dinner for the needy, organizing a student 
walkout to protest against a toxic waste dump, and the protest against 
Napalm.
  Reverend Michelle Cobb will also be receiving the Calumet Community 
Hero Award for her religious work in the community. Reverend Cobb is a 
native of Gary, Indiana. She has served as the pastor of the Marquette 
Park United Methodist Church in Gary, Indiana, and is currently senior 
pastor of the Merrillville United Methodist Church in Merrillville, 
Indiana. Cobb is a member of the NAACP, the Merrillville Kiwanis Club, 
and the Black Methodist for Church Renewal. She also serves on the 
Northwest Indiana Worker's Rights Board.
  This year's Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Reverend Dr. Robert 
Lowery, is one of the most dedicated citizens of Northwest Indiana. Dr. 
Lowery is the minister at St. Timothy Community Church in Gary, 
Indiana, and has spent nearly half a century providing leadership on 
economic and social justice issues. Dr. Lowery serves on the executive 
board for several organizations, including: the Northwest Indiana Urban 
League, the Calumet Council Boy Scouts of America, the Lake County 
Mental Health Association, and the Referral and Emergency Service.
  State Senator Frank Mrvan will be presented with the One of Our Own 
Award for his support of workers' rights. Senator Mrvan has been a 
state legislator for more than 16 years and a member of the Hammond 
City Council for 10 years. He is a member and serves on the board of 
directors for the Hammond Chamber of Commerce, the Urban Enterprise 
Association, and the Hammond Development Corporation.
  Christine Walters will receive the Special Recognition Award for her 
active role as a Calumet Project Board member and her leadership in 
economic and social justice actions. Walters joined the Calumet Project 
Board in 1994 and became a member of the Northwest Indiana Brownfield 
Redevelopment Project (NIBRP). NIBRP is an organization designed to 
promote the clean-up of polluted urban sites and to return these sites 
to productive use, while bringing increased tax revenue to our 
communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in congratulating these fine individuals for their dedication 
to justice and for their commitment to the people of Northwest Indiana.

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