[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 144 (Thursday, October 25, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO NEIGHBORHOODS INCORPORATED

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 25, 2001

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great honor to pay tribute to 
Neighborhoods Incorporated, a nonprofit organization that promotes and 
enhances neighborhoods through resident training, innovative lending 
programs and other community sponsored activities in Hammond, Indiana.
  Through the efforts of Neighborhoods Incorporated and its executive 
director, Keith Speaks, Indiana's First Congressional District, and 
Hammond in particular has worked to improve their neighborhoods. 
Communities are transforming in Northwest Indiana due to an organized 
campaign to help revitalize neighborhoods and businesses along the 
Indiana and Illinois State Line.
  The Neighborhood of Lights program is an example of how neighbors are 
actively working together to take their neighborhoods back. This 
program is a grassroots coalition of neighbors and businesses from 
Hammond and Calumet City working together to improve the quality of 
life in the State Line corridor. The purpose of the Neighborhood of 
Lights program is to unite the communities and to beautify the area. 
These goals are achieved by improving properties, promoting security 
measures, and most importantly by empowering neighbors and businesses 
to take an active role in their neighborhood. Businesses on both sides 
of the State Line are effected by what is happening in these 
neighborhoods just as much as the residents. Creating partnerships 
between the residents and businesses in the neighborhood truly creates 
a formidable force, which is effective in creating an improved 
atmosphere for both families and businesses to prosper.
  Through the work of organizations like Neighborhood Incorporated, 
communities and lives are being transformed. Neighborhood Incorporated 
works to promote home ownership and to strengthen neighborhoods by 
helping to deliver improved affordable housing. Additionally, they 
offer a variety of services designed to address the demand of the local 
neighborhood. For example, they support the growth and development of 
resident leadership, rehabilitate homes, and collaborate with other 
organizations to improve the neighborhood image and restore pride and 
hope in the community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in thanking Mr. Speaks for his tireless dedication to improving 
the quality of life in Indiana's First Congressional District. Through 
the efforts of Neighborhoods Incorporated, individuals have come 
together at all levels to help their neighbors, their neighborhood 
schools, churches, block clubs, and their own families for the 
generations to come.

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